“Finance is a word that sparks fear and uncertainty in many minds. How do we overcome our fear of financial matters?”

Gen Xers can no more afford to ignore their personal finances than they can walk around their office naked. Strippers being the obvious exception.

But getting in the trenches with your finances ranks alongside public speaking and talking about death for so many people.

There is really only one way to overcome your fear of money matters. One way with two different paths (sounding a little bit Karate Kid, aren’t I?)

To tame the beast, you have to understand it. This can be done either DIY or by outsourcing.

Learning yourself really can be fun, but requires dedication. You’ve got to read the financial sections of newspapers and plenty of books (I can think of at least one good book for Gen Xers!) Go to seminars, find mentors, join investment clubs.

And then there’s outsourcing. Those who can’t be stuffed cooking get others to cook for them by dining out, ordering in, or buying pre-packaged meals.

Exactly the same applies to your personal finances. If you don’t have the time to learn, or would find it about as much fun as cleaning out the back shed, then pay someone to do it for you.

A good financial adviser will not only help you to take care of the stuff you’ve been pushing to the back of your financial closet, but they’ll take enough time to make sure you understand why and how you are going to to do it.

Bruce Brammall is the author of Debt Man Walking (www.debtman.com.au) and a licensed financial adviser.