I don’t watch much television, but I cannot miss my girl, Judge Judy. She’s brash, sassy and wise – and I love how she puts people in their place with some choice words.

After watching Judge Judy for…oh, I don’t know…several years, I’ve come to understand, through her rulings, how she would manage money. It’s these money management tips I’d like to share with you.

Here are the last 4 of 7 things I’ve learned about money while watching Judge Judy. I shared the first 3 in a previous post.

#4 – If it’s in your name, you’re responsible

Some well-meaning people will sign up for something in their name on behalf of a friend, colleague or associate. This includes cellphones, credit cards, cars, even pets. Unfortunately, the person doesn’t keep up with the payments. The individual who signed the agreement is not being called by collections agencies and has had their credit ruined.

There was a case where a woman was suing her niece for damages to a rental car. The niece was too young to rent the car on her own. Her aunt rented the car in her own name, told the car rental company she’d be the only driver, then handed the car over to her niece to drive.

Judge Judy could not rule in the aunt’s favour. The reason? The aunt lied to the car rental agency when she said she’d be the only driver. Therefore, the aunt was responsible for all the damages even though the damages were committed by her niece.

MONEY TIP: NEVER co-sign a loan or sign up for a service on behalf of someone else. Absolutely, never, ever, ever, ever.

#5 – Work

Judge Judy really HATES when able-bodied people come into her court and say they’re not working. Whether they’re the plaintiff or the defendant, Judge Judy doesn’t like when a healthy looking adult stumbles into her courtroom and gives no viable explanation why they’re not gainfully employed.

And for good reason. The Bible says that if you don’t work, you don’t eat (see 2 Thessalonians 3:10). To Judge Judy, someone has no right to sue if they’re not working.

MONEY TIP: You need to work. If you can’t find employment in your industry, it’s either time to switch industries or start your own business.

#6 – File taxes

If someone in Judge Judy’s courtroom says they’re self-employed, the next question she’ll ask is “When did you last file taxes?” Nine times out of 10, the person stammers, saying “Um” to which Judge Judy bellows out “Um is not an answer!”

You’ve got to file your taxes. Whether you like the government or not, whether you’re collecting social assistance or earning a full-time income, you MUST file taxes. There’s just no excuse.

MONEY TIP: No matter how little you make, file your taxes. When you don’t, not only are you disobeying God (see Matthew 22:20-22), but you’re also missing out on a variety of tax incentives.

#7 – If you’re lending out what has been lent to you, don’t expect the court to help you reclaim it

Often, people who are collecting social assistance, veterans or disability benefits will lend a portion of it out, then sue if the “loan” is not repaid. Judge Judy often says that she will not be complicit in the actions of someone who is trying to defraud a bank or the government.

If you were given money by the government due to your poor health, lack of employment or to cover child care or living needs, you can’t take that money and lend it to someone else. By doing so, it shows that you’re not really in need since you had enough to give away.

MONEY TIP: If money was given to you to cover your needs, don’t give it to someone else.