GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences.

These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site.

This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Humphrey/AP/Shutterstock (6378435j)Dave Ramsey Financial talk show host Dave Ramsey works in his broadcast studio in Brentwood, Tenn.

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information.

it’s possible for you to read more about oureditorial guidelinesand our products and servicesreview methodology.

20 YearsHelping You Live Richer

Reviewedby Experts

Trusted byMillions of Readers

Managing your money is a lifelong endeavor.

facebook sharing button

And sometimes, you may fear youre falling short.

Maybe youre not saving enough.

Debt might be weighing you down, or theprospect of long-term planning may feel overwhelming.

twitter sharing button

The first step is saving $1,000 for astarter emergency fund.

Then move on to the next smallest debt, continuing the process until all non-mortgage debts are eliminated.

The next step involves saving three to six months worth of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund.

linkedin sharing button

In step four, you invest 15% of your household income for retirement.

If you have kids, theyre the focus of step five, which involvessaving for their college education.

Your home is the centerpiece of step six, because youre paying it off early.

email sharing button

Finally, step seven encourages you to build wealth and to give where you’re free to.

To avoid overspending, its crucial toset up a budgetthat is both realistic and challenges you to live frugally.

This also means learning to say no to yourself by steering clear of impulse buys.

More From GOBankingRates

Share This Article:

The Latest inMoney