• Before I got married, my mom told me to always have my own credit & be able to take care of myself. • Though skeptical, I asked my fiancé to sign a prenup, got a job, and kept my own credit cards. • Two divorces later, I'm glad my mom's advice has helped me stay financially secure and independent.

I was 22 when I announced my engagement to my college boyfriend — young by today's standards, but not uncommon in the '80s. I got the usual "Congratulations!", "Mazel tov!", and "Best wishes!"

But when I shared the news with my mother, she said, "Always keep your own credit."

Mama told me she learned the lesson herself after she and my father divorced in the '60s, and a credit-card company called to tell her she could no longer use her card.

When she tried to get one of her own, the com

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