So many decisions go into managing our money in a responsible way that it can be difficult or overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to taking care of personal finances. Once you have things under control, you also have to work to make sure that things stay manageable. Along the way, there will new stages of life that will require adjustments and rethinking. The good news is that figuring out how to get a handle on financial management isn’t impossible and doesn’t have to be complicated. There are just a few tasks that you need to accomplish to take control of your financial situation. Once you do this, occasional maintenance and reassessing with life’s changes will be all that is needed to stay on track.

1. Pay off your debt.

One of the biggest things you can do for your financial health is to pay down your debt. This seems like an obvious task, but it’s difficult for some. To get started, focus on the debt that is costing you the most money. Look at the credit cards and loans that charge you, the borrower, the highest interest. Once you have paid off these debts, focus on paying off your larger bills such as your mortgage or cars. For your mortgage, consider splitting your monthly payment in half and paying bi-weekly. Then pay extra as you can afford it. There are plenty of proven methods and plans designed by financial experts to help borrowers pay down debts.

2. Create a spending plan and live by it.

If you are spending more than you earn, you might not ever be able to get out of the hole. In fact, if you are overspending, it’s a sure sign that your finances are headed for trouble. The best way to make sure that your income is more than your expenses is to track your expenses for a month or two and then create a budget. If you are trying to accomplish essential personal finance goals, you need to be in control of your money. The way that you can do this is by using a budget. Your money will work for you when it has a purpose and goal. When you create a budget, you can decide how much money to save, examine how much money you have to spend, and can ensure that your combined spending and saving isn’t more than your income.

3. Open a savings account.

With your budget created and implemented, all of your transactions will be handled through your checking account. With this step behind you now, you may be able to start saving money. Experts agree that it’s good to have a six-month emergency fund stashed away as your rainy day fund. You’ll be able to figure out what an appropriate six-month amount is once you understand your cash-flow from the info in your budget. Once you get this safety net in place, you can then think about what else you might want to save for. A savings account is better for shorter-term goals that require easily accessible money. Consider alternative investment options for longer-term savings goals like retirement and your children’s college funds.

4. Make spending decisions wisely.

Unfortunately, many people will do more research before buying a TV than they will before purchasing an investment or buying a new house. Buying a new house is one of those watermark moments in life. It is a big and expensive decision, even if you’re just paying a down payment. There are no major financial decisions or major purchases that need to be made on the spot. It’s better to wait so that you can weigh all of your options make a sound financial decision. Some major purchases include homes, cars, boats, and other things. Sometimes it may be that you will need to be creative when making these purchases. If purchasing a new house, for instance, it may be that you need to explore bridge loans as a temporary solution while you find sound financing. Look into the required information for the loan application and loan amount carefully when investing in any real estate, and consider your options as a borrower when it comes to long-term financing or a new mortgage. Making wise spending decisions will take time and effort, but in the long run, your financial health will be stronger for it.

5. Get the insurance coverage you need.

Once you’ve started on the path to financial freedom, you will need to protect your assets. This means that you need to have enough insurance to secure your future. Obviously, you need auto and home insurance and to protect you from loss. You also need health insurance so illness doesn’t bankrupt you. A life insurance policy is something that a lot of people overlook. Having the right life insurance policy, though, can protect your family in case of your death. Should you need cash in hurry for an illness or major event, you can contact a viatical settlement broker to help you cash in on your insurance policy. This would help keep you and your family out of financial distress.

If you aren’t sure what kinds of insurance you require, an insurance agent can help you. You should evaluate the risks you face and consider purchasing a life insurance policy to help protect your financial life and support your family in the extreme cases that sometimes arise.

Once you understand how all of the pieces of your financial puzzle work together, you can make informed decisions and achieve your financial goals.