Many times the situations causing the biggest financial impact on our lives such as marriage, divorce, retirement, childcare or elder care, are the same ones that leave us with serious emotional issues we have to deal with.

And when they come, we don't have the luxury of time such as waiting for the stock market to go back up or a job raise to come through.

In her new book, "The Value of Money: Uncover the Hidden Wisdom of Money," Susan McCarthy who was recently named Barron's as one of the "Top 100 Women Financial Advisors" in the United States, uses her experience to help us through these tough times.

According to McCarthy, it's important for us to detach ourselves from our emotions in regards to money. That's because it's our emotions that make money issues so difficult, but it's also this emotional relationship that gives money such teaching potential in our lives.

"Money is so emotional," says McCarthy, "though we believe that it shouldn't be."

In her book, McCarthy helps us determine what type of relationship we have with our money because by doing so, we can make better financial decisions.

"Money is a mirror into your value system," says McCarthy.

One of the seven different types is "The Wolf Never Leaves My Door" who lives in constant fear of running out of money no matter how much they might have in the bank. Another is the "I'll Pick Up the Bill If You Just..." type who uses money as a tool to manipulate others often to control, punish or express disapproval.

When faced with a huge financial decision, McCarthy suggests looking back to a similar decision the person made in the past.

"It's good to ask what was your knee jerk reaction to that," she says.

"By understanding what you did and why you did it you can work on making the right decisions in the future."

FYI: "The Value of Money: Uncover the Hidden Wisdom of Money" by Susan McCarthy (Tarcher/Penguin 2008, $24.95)