Before you can truly move toward financial independence, an education is in order. You must leave behind the lessons that got you into a messy situation and instead develop new tools and habits that will lead you toward a more stable tomorrow. More than ever before, there is a wealth of information out there designed to guide you through the world of responsible money management.

However, there are also many financial advisors, gurus, and websites whose credentials and references deserve scrutiny. You cannot count on mass media and talk show hosts to do your homework for you. In addition to the basics of financial literacy, you must also learn the difference between authentic financial advisors and those who might lead you down a path of get rich quick schemes and possible financial ruin.

Starting with schools

In many high schools throughout the country, math teachers are trying to bring real-life scenarios into the classroom. They believe that learning basic financial concepts is essential to a successful life and career after graduation.

Some teachers include these concepts in classes like Consumer Math. Students are made to invest play money and track the success or failure of such investments. Some curriculum standards stress the importance of learning how to calculate future budgets using realistic figures for mortgage and rental payments, car payments, as well as utility, insurance, and food expenditures. Unfortunately, these classes teaching basic personal finance are not widely available in every school. Sometimes they are simply included in theory classes such as economics. Often they are not even covered at all.

Until such classes become a required credit, in every public high school in the country, teaching the basics of money management is left up to the parents. Breaking bad habits and an amount of self-education is required to begin teaching skills to the next generation. Knowing what to look for, when seeking out information and professional advice, is also important.

Learner Beware

With the easy availability of the Internet, many sources are available to guide consumers through the sometimes complicated world of money management. Many sites have a great deal of helpful information and in every town there are more than a few financial advisors who have their clients' best interests at heart. But, like anything else, you must carefully research the sources of help before entrusting your financial security to anyone. There are many so-called professionals and gurus whose advice should be met with skepticism.

Even those who are well-known and publicized have had their backgrounds revealed to be less than what was advertised. The result is a revelation. How are the mass media so easily fooled? Like you, they are not as financially literate as they ought to be. Famous faces skilled in the art of self-promotion easily get in the door and on the air. You aren't always watching and listening to experts.

Not only are some gurus blatantly padding their resumes, but some have even been brought up on charges of misleading investors. Therefore, as always, it's up to us to get informed. Check out the financial genius's background and education. If such information is difficult to find, perhaps that should serve as a warning. Most are more than willing to brag about an impressive background. If there's nothing to brag about, perhaps you'd be best to take your money elsewhere.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is

The Internet also brings with it outrageous offers from businesses hoping to make money off the misfortune and ignorance of others. A huge increase has been observed in the mass emailing of scams designed to help consumers recover from financial problems by offering quick and easy loan recovery programs that require an advance fee. This just leads to more financial problems, the exact opposite of what most of you want.

Reading a variety of websites and books or talking with several different advisors should give you a broad picture and a sense of realistic expectations. Being well-read and well-informed also gives you clear insight with regards to outrageous advice, claims, and fraudulent lending practices.

The warning signs are there to be observed; you just have to know what you're looking for. Claims to help investors earn 300 percent annual returns, guaranteeing loans without first analyzing your credit and financial information, companies located outside the United States, and requests for upfront fees are all scamming signs. Sometimes a con artist will offer to help fill out paperwork for you, accept payment in the form of a wire transfer or cashier's check only, or promise to help you avoid foreclosure in all cases no matter the circumstances.

How to pass with an A+

There are many ways to get financial information from legitimate sources. Being aware of the differences between fraudulent and serious advisors, solutions and scams will help you learn more about your situation, how to improve it, how to avoid traps, and eventually come out ahead.