There is no shortage of personal finance advice floating around the Internet or in the daily news. Most of this information is available to anyone who is willing to take the time and energy to seek it out and implement a few changes to their day to day money management practices. The following ten reminders can help you get on the right path if you are just starting out or to get you back on track financially if you have gotten lax on the fundamental principals of personal finance. Keep in mind that your situation is uniquely your own and you may benefit more by consulting a financial planner if you have specific goals you wish to accomplish, however you will likely not go wrong by becoming familiar with the following tips.

1. Spend less than your earn. Personal finance 101 teaches us that in order to get ahead financially we must have more money coming in than going out. In many cases this can be accomplished in one of two ways, either increasing your income or adjusting your spending so your expenses do not outweigh what you can reasonably afford to pay.

2. Put it on paper- Or a software program, whatever works for you. The key is to have a solid understanding of how much money you have to work with in your budget and to know where your money is going. There is little chance that you can be successful managing your personal finances if you do not know how much money you make and where you spend it.

3. Debt will drain you-..No one will argue that being in debt can be the killing blow to anyone’s budget. If you have debt, good or bad, it is time to actively work on getting balances paid off. For several years being in debt has become a way of life to the detriment of millions of families and their financial future. You do not have to be in debt, determine how much debt you have and what steps are required to get out of debt and start…today.

4. Get organized- It is important to keep your financial house in order. You can start doing this by keeping good records and paying attention to where your money is and where it is going. By getting and staying organized you are more likely to have important documents readily available when needed for reference or proof in a dispute.

5. Start saving- If you wish to have a secure financial future you may find yourself juggling multiple tasks at the same time. In addition to paying off debt you must also allocate a percentage of your income toward savings. By having a well padded savings account or emergency fund you are less likely to go into debt in the future when unexpected (or expected) expenses come your way.

6. Invest in your future- The economy may be doing crazy things right now, however you should not let that discourage you from investing in your future. The fact remains that you are more likely to see your money grow by making educated and diverse choices regarding your investments. Keeping your cash under the mattress will ensure that it is safe but it will not be able to keep up with inflation in that position.

7. Be flexible- Life for most of us is not static, there will always be changes in the economy, in our own finances, employment, and expenses. It is good to have short and long term goals but you must be willing to re-examine them periodically to ensure that you are still on the right path to achieving your goals.