It doesn't take a genius to understand money. Money is nothing more than a tool, no different than a hammer and nail, or even a computer. It is a means to an end and should never be feared. Money is misunderstood by too many people and rather than being able to harness its power, they end up being enslaved by it. Financial literacy is paramount, especially in today's economy, which is in tatters. It is terribly unfortunate that this subject is not given much attention in schools, for it is the most important one that impacts all of our lives every single day. For those who want to take control of their finances and break free of the stranglehold that our economic system has on us, the following will help steer you in the right direction:

Get your money to work for you rather than you working for it. The majority of the population is trapped in the vicious cycle of working themselves to death but staying barely ahead of their expenses, if even that. We are plagued by this debt-ridden society created and controlled by ''The Money Masters'' of the International Banking Elite. The good news is, there are numerous ways of using this venomous system to your advantage and fairing well. What you need to do is implement strategies that offer you a return on your money with the least effort required. A combination of living within your means (NOT ON CREDIT!) and a solid investment plan in ASSETS will help you break free.

Assets are things you own whereas liabilities are what you owe. Good assets can generate income such as rental properties, certain businesses, tax lien certificates, high interest savings accounts, bonds, money market vehicles etc… We often think that a house and a car are assets, but financial experts always classify them as liabilities, since they have to be paid every month and don't normally generate cash-flow on their own. Devote your time to "money-generating" assets which will be the foundation of your diversified investment portfolio.

Starting your own business is a great way to build lasting wealth. That's not to say it won't take a tremendous amount of work, dedication, and sacrifice, so never fall for hype and get rich quick scams because they never work. What does work is having a solid product or service to market whether it be yours or someone else's and implementing a solid marketing plan. Running a home-based business with very little overhead is ideal. Do your research and never gamble.

Your goal is to be a wise entrepreneur, and investor. The average small business takes anywhere from 3-10 years to turn a significant profit from which you will be able to live from so don't quit your day job! Use your income from your job to acquire assets and grow your business. The great thing about owning your business is that while you are building it (and not yet seeing a profit) you can still take advantage of numerous business-related tax deductions based on things you spend money on anyway such as: mortgage/rent, hydro, heat, home and car insurance, property/school taxes, condo fees, interest on certain loans, phone, internet, gas, car maintenance, restaurant bills, office supplies, furniture, and more…Saving money is just as good as making it!

The problem with people who struggle to grow their money is that they keep on working for somebody else and don't maximize the earning potential of their money by acquiring the proper assets. Many also don't start their own small/home business on the side and end up paying a good portion of their yearly salaries away in income tax. Lastly, too many live beyond their means. Exercise restraint and keep things simple and manageable! The majority of hard-working people are toiling away for others and not for themselves. And after all that, they face the terrible realization that they do not have much, or anything at all in some cases to show for all those years.

The solution is to invest in yourself. It just makes sense. Use the rat race, banking, and taxation systems to your advantage. Build your business, and invest in things that will generate cash flow for years to come while putting the least amount you can out of your own pocket. Leverage other people's money and expertise (banks, renters, other investors, financial advisors, etc…) to grow your portfolio and you will be financially free much sooner than you think. Financial freedom will bring something far greater, personal freedom!