Did you know that most of us spend 10 percent more than we make each month? Sometimes it is hard to keep track of how much we spend because we often pay with credit cards, debit cards, and automatic deposits. It is very easy to spend and not save anything.

By learning more about finances, you can improve your quality of life. There are no magic formulas that will fix financial problems, but following are some suggestions. Make sure to share this plan with your entire family so that they know what to expect:

- Make a realistic spending plan and stick with it. Know when, what, and how much money you're spending.

- When you find something in a store that you hadn't planned to buy-don't buy it.

- Use your credit card or debit card only if you can afford to pay for the items now.

- Avoid buying a house or renting an apartment that you can't afford. As your income increases, try increasing your mortgage payment to pay off your house faster.

- Avoid loaning money to friends and relatives.

- Avoid going into business with people who are not good with money. Make safe investments.

There are many organizations that can help you get out of financial problems by helping you make a financial plan to get you out of debt. Listed below are some of those organizations:

Green Path Debt Solutions 38505 Country Club Drive, Suite 210 Farmington Hills, MI 48331 Phone: 1-800-550-1961 Web site: www.greenpath.com GreenPath is a non-profit organization that helps people with their financial problems by teaching them how to get out of debt. They have certified consumer credit counselors to teach you how to spend money wisely, make a personal budget, and make a plan to get out of debt. They are members of the Better Business Bureau and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Mymoney.gov (www.mymoney.gov) is the U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. Whether you are planning to buy a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your 401K, the resources on Mymoney.gov can assist you. Throughout the site, you will find important information from 20 federal agencies government wide. The website is also available in Spanish.

1-888-My-Money is the federal government's toll free hotline which offers a library of recorded information about financial tips and suggestions, and current issues such as identity theft or protecting your home from foreclosure. You can also order a free MyMoney Tool Kit full of helpful publications.

ING manages the State of Michigan's 401(k) Defined Contribution plan and the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. ING is a leading provider of pension plans and was selected by the State of Michigan to administer its plans. The 401(k) plan allows State of Michigan employees to automatically save part of their salary and invest it in their choice of more than 20 different investment funds. Employees may also choose a Self-Managed Account. For more information on investing, personal finances, and retirement, visit https://stateofmi.ingplans.com/csportal/welcome.do.