People always say that the want to get richer, save more money, and take charge of their finances, but few of them actually do it. Why? Well, some might argue that laziness is a factor, but I think the real culprit is a lack of proper financial education and guidance. Either people don't know where to get information or they are bombarded with so many facts and figures and are ultimately too overwhelmed to take action.

This is why it's extremely important to only focus on the few people that actually know what they're talking about. Everyone has an opinion about money, but only a number of people actually have the bank statements and track records to back up their claims.

When it comes to looking for your finance guru, gather enough information to determine if a) they're credible; and b) what they're saying is appropriate for YOUR situation. Different circumstances may call for different experts and points of views, so choose accordingly.

If you need help starting your search, you may want to look into the following individuals. Each of them has established their credibility, but determining whether they are right for your situation or not is totally up to you:

Robert Kiyosaki - This man has definitely made his mark in finance world as an investor, businessman, self-help author, occasional financial commentator, motivational speaker, and financial literacy activist. His book Rich Dad, Poor Dad has opened up the eyes of millions of people when it comes to being financially educated. On top of books and commentaries though, Kiyosaki runs the Rich Dad Compnay, an association that coaches people about generating cash flow, making money through real estate, investing, and starting a business.

Dave Ramsey - Struggling to get out debt? Then Dave Ramesy might be the expert for you. Ramsey is an author, TV personality, radio host, and motivational speaker. And while he touches on a variety of topics in the financial world, his main focus is all about reducing, avoiding, and eliminating debt. Listen to his radio program, The Dave Ramsey Show or read any of his many books to learn more.

Suze Orman - Founder of the Suze Orman Financial Group, Orman is also motivational speaker, TV host, and author. She has a lot of powerful advice about money, and has numerous awards and commendations, including two Emmys for her PBS shows. She was also part of Time Magazine's list of most influential people in 208 and 2009 and she earned the number 18 spot on the Forbes list of Most Influential Women In Media in 2010.

Farnoosh Torabi - This woman has a lot of experience in the world of finance, including being a reporter at Money magazine, a correspondent for TheStreet.com, and a financial correspondent on Real Simple, Real Life. Now she's focused on teaching people (mostly women) to manage their finances. She touches on a number of things, including money basics, mind and money, career, and family finances.

Ramit Sethi - Author of the NY Times Bestseller "I Will Teach You To Be Rich", Sethi mainly focuses on helping 20-something individuals to get on top of finances. From teaching people how to pick the right credit cards and accounts, to automating finances, Sethi dishes practical and actionable advice for people who want to be more financially smart.

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