1. Track your spending. Save all cash and credit card receipts in a shoebox.

2. Pay cash whenever possible, especially for small purchases. Use ATMs sparingly.

3. Pay off credit card debt as soon as possible. You don’t really need more than two credit cards.

4. Budget your expenses using tracking software. Try to live on 20% less than your after-tax earnings.

5. Invest the maximum allowed in your 401-K plan and any other retirement accounts.

6. If you can, save a fixed amount every month in addition to your retirement plan. Use conservative investments like index funds with low expense ratios, and arrange for automatic withdrawals from your bank account so you’re not tempted to skimp.

7. Know where your important documents are. Can you immediately find your house deed, insurance policies, wills and trusts, birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card?

8. File current-year tax forms separately for your tax accountant. Keep all old tax returns, not just those of the last three years.

9. Review your strategy periodically. Review investments and insurance coverage every year. Review wills/trusts, tax strategy and medical coverage at least every three years, or when your circumstances change.

10. Check your credit rating regularly. Report inaccuracies to the consumer reporting agency. The major ones are: Equifax, (800) 685-1111 or www.equifax.com; Experian, (888) 397-3742 or www.experian.com; and TransUnion, (800) 888-4213 or www.tuc.com.