FOR many anything to do with money can be intimidating, stemming from either fear or confusion or a combination of both, as well as whatever is born out of a variety of experiences, conditioning us to accept that we work for money but NOT ALWAYS understanding that we should expect our money to work for us.

Our lives are geared to learning and acquiring the skills necessary to help us secure work and make money, but little or no time is dedicated to learning how to make money work for us.

Money can govern one's self-esteem and relationships.

From birth to death it plays a critical role providing food, shelter, education, healthcare, homes, cars and to prepare for retirement and even death.

Making your money work for you is a minefield since there is a vast array of instruments available to help us. Throw in the reality of the complicated environment of contracts and tax obligations and finance becomes even more mind-boggling.

Mix in the cultural and religious beliefs that "the love of money is the root of all evil", and it's not surprising confusion and despondency set in.

This is the reason the majority of people seem to end up with what Anthony Robbins, author of Awaken the Giant Within, calls "the month at the end of the money syndrome".

We grow up and participate in the economy but we aren't taught how to manage the very element that we spend our lives striving to achieve.

During my 48 years in the industry I have imparted my knowledge through consultation, presentations, radio, TV and in the various publications for which I write, and have written.

I have been, and always will be, passionate about and committed to educating and helping others achieve their financial freedom.

Some years' ago I wrote Bryan Hirsch's Guide to Personal Finance and, more recently, Steps to Financial Freedom.

Both books are intended to serve as companions in the management of your personal finances.

It's therefore entirely possible that you too can escape the misery of being trapped in the vicious cycle of making, spending and retaining little or no money. You need to become empowered and to take charge of your finances and, hopefully, in so doing will have more money at the end of the month.

Remember it's your money, you worked hard for it, so allow it to work for you and enjoy your liberation! Due to the ever increasing pressures of my practice, it has become extremely difficult to meet my weekly deadline and I don't ever want to let my readers or Sowetan down by being unreliable.

For this reason I have taken a decision that I can no longer continue writing my weekly column.

It has been both a privilege and honour to have been afforded the opportunity to write a column in Sowetan.

I would like to thank my personal assistant, Liz Quinton, as well as Carol Liquorish for their always valuable support and assistance.

Should any of my readers require any financial assistance in the future, please feel free to e-mail me on bryanh@bhca.co.za