How to Kill Debt, Master Credit and Protect Your Wealth - 40 Money Lessons at 40, Part 3

Turning 40 has me thinking about the money lessons that actually matter — not the flashy hacks, but the real, sometimes boring, strategies that keep your financial life from falling apart.

In part three of my 40 Money Lessons at 40 series, I’m digging into debt, credit, and protection — the unsexy side of money that quietly saves you thousands.

I’ll break down why paying off high-interest credit cards is the best guaranteed return you’ll ever get, how lifestyle creep sneaks up with an “I deserve this” disguise, and why carrying a balance on your credit cards is the ultimate wealth killer.

I’m also sharing the protection strategies most people ignore — from freezing your credit (free, easy, and way more effective than monitoring) to keeping disability insurance because your income is your biggest asset, and adding umbrella insurance once your net worth grows.

You’ll walk away knowing:

• Why killing high-interest debt beats almost any investment strategy
• How to recognize lifestyle creep before it drains your wealth
• The golden rule of credit cards (hint: the magic number is zero)
• The simplest way to stop identity theft before it happens
• Why insurance may be boring, but it’s the backbone of financial freedom

These aren’t the lessons that get headlines or TikTok views, but they’re the ones that give you real peace of mind — and by 40, I’ve learned peace of mind is worth more than any hot stock tip.

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