12 Basic Principles of Financial Management

Whether you want to take control of your finances or run a multi-national enterprise, these 12 basic principles of financial management will make you look like a pro:

1. Organize your finances
2. Spend less than you earn
3. Put your money to work
4. Limit debt to income-producing assets
5. Continuously educate yourself
6. Understand risk
7. Diversification is not just for investments
8. Maximize your employment benefits
9. Pay attention to taxes
10. Plan for the unexpected
11. Turn your financial principles into habits
12. Balance saving for the future with enjoying the present

Want to dig in? Read more about each one below. 👇

Dig into the 12 basic principles of financial management

Good financial management isn’t just about numbers — it’s about making decisions that help you achieve your goals and build a secure future. Whether you’re running a business or managing your personal finances, understanding the fundamentals can make a world of difference. 

These 12 principles are the foundation of smart financial habits, and they’ll help you take control of your money with confidence and clarity.

1. Organize your finances

Organizing your finances is the first step to creating wealth. Credit cards, bank accounts, personal loans, brokerage accounts, mortgages, car loans, and retirement accounts — track everything. Budgeting software can provide complete solutions to track all such accounts, make on-time payments, and more. Jeff Morris, a certified public accountant in Bethesda, Maryland, points out: “Once you enter your accounts and balances into budgeting software, you will be able to spend less time getting organized and more time making sense of your situation.”

2. Spend less than you earn

Personal financial software provides powerful tools to help you track and budget your spending and take steps to achieve your long-term goals. If you learn to track your finances and know where you spend the most, you’ll be able to control your money. “The best way to ensure that you either overcome debt or avoid it in the first place is to never spend more than you make,” Morris says.

3. Put your money to work

Take advantage of the time value of money. Morris gives the following example: “A 21-year-old who invests $17.50 a day until retiring at the age of 65 at a 5 percent average annual investment return can be a millionaire. At age 30, the required daily savings amount almost doubles. At age 40 the amount quadruples.” So save early and often, even if the amount is small.

4. Limit debt to income-producing assets

When you buy a rental property, the income you get from that property can pay for the loan you took out to buy it. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for your car — unless you drive for a living. When you borrow to make purchases that aren’t making you money, you’re missing out on better opportunities.

Morris explains, “With their ultra-high interest rates, credit cards utilized to buy household goods and clothes that quickly wear out are bad bargains. If you have to be in debt, stick to financing items that retain their value over time, like real estate and education.”

5. Continuously educate yourself

Thanks to the internet, the collective knowledge of Wall Street is at your fingertips 24/7. “Read every financial periodical, book, and blog you can find from well-regarded financial authors,” Morris recommends. “Understand why you are investing so that you will stick to your plan. Periodically gather research so you do not miss excellent investment opportunities.”

6. Understand risk

The key to understanding return on investments is that the more you risk, the better the return should be. This is called a risk-return trade-off. 

Investments like stocks and bonds that have a higher rate of return often have a higher risk of losing the principal that you invested. Investments like certificates of deposit or money market accounts with a lower rate of return have a lower risk of losing principal. Since no one knows the future, you cannot be 100 percent sure any investment will do well. Morris explains, “If you diversify your investments, one can go sour without severe impact to your overall portfolio.”

7. Diversification is not just for investments

Find creative ways to diversify your income. Everyone has a talent or special skill. “Turn your talents into a money-making opportunity. Investigate ways to make money from home and launch a home-based business,” Morris says. The extra income can supplement your full-time income or even result in an exciting career change. Good financial management software can show you how even a slight improvement in income can positively change your financial profile.

8. Maximize your employment benefits

Employment benefits like a 401(k) plan, flexible spending accounts and medical and dental insurance yield some of the highest rates of return that you have access to. “Make sure you are taking advantage of all the ways benefits can save you money by reducing taxes or out-of-pocket expenses,” says Morris.

9. Pay attention to taxes

Financial planning software helps you manage your tax information. For example, Quicken quickly analyzes taxable investments and provides powerful organizing tools that make year-end tax filings go much smoother. Morris emphasizes, “We all know that any money you make is going to be taxed. That is why it is important to consider the related tax implications for every investment.”

10. Plan for the unexpected

Despite your best efforts, you’ll face some unforeseen emergencies along the way. Morris urges, “Save enough money and stock up on insurance to be able to weather extended unemployment, accidents, catastrophic medical care, large car or house repairs, and natural disasters.” Increasing the amount of money you save when times are good can help you manage the cost impact of bumps in the road, making sure unexpected financial exposure does not derail your long-term goals and your family’s financial security.

11. Turn your financial principles into habits

Financial success isn’t built on one-time actions; it’s the result of consistent habits. Turning financial principles into daily routines—like tracking expenses, saving a percentage of your income, or regularly reviewing your goals—creates a strong foundation for lasting success. Habits make good financial decisions second nature, removing the stress of constant decision-making. Focus on building habits that align with your principles, and the results will follow.

12. Balance saving for the future with enjoying the present

Financial management isn’t just about setting everything aside for the future — it’s about finding the right balance between saving for your goals and enjoying your life today. While building a strong retirement fund and saving for emergencies are important, it’s equally necessary to set aside money for experiences that bring you joy, such as travel, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. Prioritize your financial goals, but remember to allocate room in your budget for the things that make life meaningful.