An effective financial plan can help you live within your means, determine your long-term financial objectives and gather the funds you need to achieve those goals. These plans can provide a feeling of financial security and can offer you some control over your financial future. A solid financial plan starts with assessing the reality of your current financial situation to build long-term financial security, while an unrealistic plan often uses guesswork, misinformation and wishful thinking.

Successful investment management helps you down the path of achieving your goals such as saving for your children’s education, purchasing a larger home and having the lifestyle you want when you retire. You need a plan to guide you in the right direction with your investments.

Getting organized in the home is the first step in dealing with personal finances. This means setting up a desk or dedicated space for the time you’ll be spending with household taxes, bills, banking and investments. Keep the paperwork separated in files and stored in a safe place away from traffic and bustle — a small filing cabinet or even a sturdy banker’s box will work. For stuff that you just can’t lose — passports, insurance policies, mortgage deeds, birth certificates, Social Security cards — use a small safe.