cash management is key

Financial planning is a pretty broad subject.  There's a lot to consider with each individual situation.  It all starts with cash management though.  It's the day to day cash flow that's the foundation for everything else.  The money comes in (hopefully), and it goes out.  It's important to track this movement of funds meticulously.  It's hard to get a grip on the more advanced areas of financial planning if you don't have a good grip on your cash flow.  The bottom line is WATCH YOUR SPENDING.  Money is never in an unlimited supply, so we have to be diligent about spending.  Once you've built the surplus by spending less than you take in then you can begin to maneuver better in this world where it takes money to do almost anything.  It's a good idea to know what bills are on the horizon and where the money is going to come from to pay them.  Always know how much is in your bank accounts and in your wallet.  When you know you're going to spend money figure out which pot it will come out of.  You can also keep a little piece of paper with you to keep track of where you're spending your money.  This is what I do.  It's kind of a pain for sure, but it lets you see where your money is going.  Also try not to spend on impulse.  Give yourself at least a few minutes to think it over before you buy.  Know what's coming in and what's going out, and you will have the data you need to make adjustments.