Patrice Washington rationalized her excessive spending. I work hard, I deserve this. I bought it on sale. But at twenty-two, the recent college graduate was ,000 in debt and sinking fast. It was time to take control. Patrice educated herself about finance, adopted a new attitude toward money, and most importantly, adjusted her spending habits. By twenty-five she was debt free and used the wisdom she gained to start her own successful real estate and mortgage brokerage and by twenty-nine started her own financial counseling business.