We could all become financially successful if we simply changed the way we think. I don't think it is a stretch at all to say that thinking has changed drastically over the past thirty years. Credit cards are now prevalent, commercialism has even spread to the schools and advertisments bombard us at every corner.

It used to be that the main stream financial thought was to save up and then purchase. A few people had charge accounts with local department stores and such, but these were paid in full each month, or the person didn't dare show their face in the store until it was paid.

Nowadays, most of us simply buy now and worry about the payments later. This has led to massive credit card debt, rising bankruptcy numbers and even more credit companies popping up every day.

What we need is a change of thinking. And I believe that this is happening in many places. Especially among the young professional people. Here are a few changes that are being made:

1. Getting out of debt.

Instead of bragging about the big ticket items just purchased, many people are starting to brag about paying off the car loan, paying off the mortgage, being debt free, having no credit card debt, and so on. The bragging point comes in that so many people's lives are simply falling apart due to their spending and charging. A financially-free lifestyle is becoming the "in" thing among many crowds of people. Especially those that are young and investment savvy.

2. Saving for retirement.

Many young couples are seeing the increased seniors in the workplace and saying "not for me." They are investing in 401(k)s and other retirement accounts. Yet, not enough are really saving for retirement. The number saving may increase as they begin to see their parents struggle with too little in the retirement funds. And the added incentive of an early retirement is exciting to many young people.