We have all experienced some kind of financial setback in life. So if this is the case, we need to allow these setbacks to refine us instead of define us. Once we get past the hurdle it can be difficult to know whether we actually learned the lesson or simply stopped short. Have your excuses for why you are where you are in your personal finances trumped the dreams you had for your finances and if so, how do you ensure that the money you are working hard to earn works for you instead of you working for it? It is said there are only three things you can do with money; give, save, or spend, so how are you strategically planning for where your finances need to go?