Dosh, dollars, pounds, yen, euros, wonga, dough… call it what you like but the reality is, without money living is pretty impossible, unless you already have lots of it.

Most of us can’t imagine ever having not to worry about it, but you can’t ignore it.

Gill Fielding knows about not having money and having money

She is a chartered accountant who is determined to knock some financial sense into all of us.  Gill built up her business Fielding Financial from nothing and has appeared on Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire. Taking part in the programme was an experience which changed her life and she’s now campaigning for better financial education in schools.

She says: “We don’t like admitting it in this country, in fact talking about the big ‘M’ makes most people come out in a rash, but it’s time we did; for the sake of our own back pockets and the pockets of our families.”

Gill has some reassuring and no nonsense advice for those of us who are too old to benefit from finance classes. Firstly she believes it’s never too late to re-write your finances and therefore your life.

“Bite the bullet, look at your bank balance, sit down with your nearest and dearest or would-be business partner and follow seven steps to wealth, happiness and a brighter future.”

Saying that is easier than doing it so Gill’s got free tips that can be downloaded for free from her website. The first is ‘7 Simply Money Mistakes that are costing you a fortune’

She also reckons we obsess too much about having enough cash to put into our pension and should instead concentrate on earning enough money now via jobs we enjoy. If you’ve make enough cash then a pension will follow.

If you are worried about the government, the economy, the recession? Look after yourself and the bigger picture will be of no concern.

Her point is – we all need to take control, and by doing so we can all be wealthier.

Some cynical capitalists might disagree but Gill is right, taking control of our finances, even if it means you look at your bank statements every day – so you know exactly what goes in and what goes out.

It’s also good to give yourself a reality check, winning the lottery may allow you to buy everything in sight, but for most of us what makes us happy is a good relationship with your children/parents/friends and of course and being able to buy food.

Have you ever been hungry or thirsty and not had access to food and drink? Then you’ll know exactly what we mean.

So what can you do:

Start small – check your bank balance, know what you spend.

Learn to save – even if it’s just £10 a month.

Address your money demons – find out what makes you overspend.

Face financial vampires – from utility companies to  friends who sap your wallet

Read more:

How to get out of a rut, part 3: how to be in the now