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We know that it's crucial to get our finances in order, even -- or especially -- in the current economic crunch.

But sometimes we feel so freaked out when we try to learn about money stuff that our eyes glaze over, and we go look at cute animals instead.

Lemondrop's committed to getting you the info you need, though, so we decided to combine two strategies. Below you'll find a list of the ten worst money mistakes that even smart people make, plus how to remedy them ASAP. And while the solutions are surprisingly easy, we've illustrated them with pets, just to make sure your blood pressure stays down.

Reprinted with permission from "How to Invest $50-$5,000," by Nancy Dunnan, copyright 2007. Published by Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Ten Dumbest Money Mistakes

    1. Being Ashamed to Invest Small Amounts With this attitude, you'll never save anything. What is small to one investor may be huge to another. Solution: Begin saving something from your next paycheck. The dollar amount is not important. Developing the habit of saving is.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    Ms L, Flickr

    2. Having Inadequate Emergency Savings Without this nest egg you could wind up deeply in debt. Solution: Stash three to six months' worth of living expenses in a money market fund or bank CD.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    Malingering, Flickr

    Leaving Cash in a Bank Savings AccountThe interest rate is far too low. Solution: Move it immediately to a money market fund, money market deposit account, or online bank.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    nicora, Flickr

    Operating Too Many Accounts If you have several bank accounts, a number of mutual funds, and brokerage accounts, you're spending too much on service fees. And it's way too difficult to keep track of rates, prices, and other details. Solution: Consolidate. Have one checking account, two or three mutual funds, and one brokerage account.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    trp0, Flickr

    Confusing Income with Appreciation If you don't know what an investment is for, you're likely to hold or sell the wrong thing. Do not expect growth stocks and growth mutual funds to pay high dividends or income. Do not expect CDs or bonds to rise in price.Solution: Read up on these.


    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    phantom kitty, Flickr

    Avoiding Financial Goal Setting Yogi Berra said it best: "If you don't know where you're going, you're probably going to wind up someplace else." Most people devote more time planning their vacations than their financial future. Consequently, they spend as much or more on cruises, airline tickets, and hotels than they do funding their retirement accounts or building up a nest egg. Solution: Set just one or two specific goals. Write them down and discuss them with a stockbroker or financial adviser.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    ClintJCL, Flickr

    Failing to Diversify It's tempting to put all your money in one place because it's convenient and easy. No investment is ever sufficiently profitable or safe to justify this lazy approach. Solution: Divide your assets among CDs, money market funds, stocks, bonds, Treasuries, and real estate.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    dashananda, Flickr

    Procrastinating Most of us put off making financial decisions because we're afraid we'll do the wrong thing. Solution: Set time deadlines and take several small, easy investment steps, one at a time. For example, if you have $3,000 on hand in week number one, put one-third into a money market fund. The next week, buy a bank CD. The following week, use the remaining amount to buy shares of a blue chip mutual fund.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    jetalone, Flickr

    Ignoring Savings Plans at Work Tax-deferred 401(k) or stock purchase plans are good deals, especially if your company matches your contribution. So are automatic EE Savings Bond programs. Solution: Talk to your benefits officer this Monday.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    Ms L, Flickr

    Failing to Have a Will IF you care about the other people in your life, keep an updated will.Solution: Call your lawyer this week.

    From "How to Invest $50-$100" by Nancy Dunnan, ©2007, Collins.

    sean dreilinger, Flickr