When you’re young and just starting out building a life for yourself money may be top of mind for you but not always a priority. You likely want to go out and have fun and spend it and aren’t too concerned about the consequences or your future.

However, remind yourself that it’s never too early to begin planning for the days and years ahead. You’ll want to have a secure and stable financial future that will make you feel happy and joyful and reduce any stress. Review the following tips to help you achieve this goal and ensure that you come out on top.

1. Set Goals

Your first order of business when creating a secure and stable financial future for yourself is to set goals. Figure out what it is you want in life and a plan for how you’ll get from one step to the next. It might help to get organized and sit down with an expert who can help guide you in your journey and lay out what you need to do now to make your money work for you. Go prepared for the first meeting by reviewing questions to ask a financial advisor to ensure you make the most out of your discussion and that it’s worth your time.

2. Pay Your Bills on Time

If there’s one action you should take to improve your finances and credit score it’s to pay your bills on time. Always make this a priority so you can remain in good financial standing. It’s an essential aspect of you taking control of your financial life. Figure out when each bill is due and make a plan for making certain you pay it on time, every time. Set up automatic payments if you’re someone who forgets about it often. Doing so will reduce stress, save you money, boost your credit score, and set you up for a secure and stable financial future.

3. Save for Retirement Now

It’s also never too early to begin saving your money for retirement. You’ll want to have enough set aside so you can live comfortably one day in the future when you’re no longer working. Invest for retirement so you have the money you need to live on when you’re older and not collecting a paycheck. Set up retirement accounts and take advantage of your employer benefits so you can begin funneling your money to them and saving it up. It can be challenging to have to save for an event that’s so far in the future but you’ll thank yourself for doing so later on when you have this money that you can access in your future.

4. Control Impulse & Lavish Spending

Impulse and lavish spending can get you into a lot of trouble financially, especially if you do it a lot. Therefore, another tip for a secure and stable financial future is to control impulse and lavish spending the best you can. Not only live within your means, but instead consider living below your means for even more success in this area. Think about large purchases before you make them and try to save up cash instead of always putting expenses on your credit card. It may help to start and follow a budget so you can see exactly how much money you have to work with and where it’s going. You’ll have a better idea of how much you can spend on extra expenses and fun things each month too.

5. Eliminate & Avoid Debt

Having a lot of debt can be frustrating and stressful for you. Therefore, work hard to eliminate and avoid debt if at all possible. If you do have debt, then address it head-on and right away by having a plan in place for paying it off. Make it part of your monthly expenses and put as much toward it as feasibly possible. Once you’re debt-free you’ll notice that you’re more financially secure and stable.

6. Find A Career You Love

When you can find a career you love then you’ll not only be happier but likely earn more. Create a secure and stable financial future for yourself by working hard to find a job that suits you and challenges you. You want to be excited to get up each day and go to work and use your skills. Invest in yourself and your future so you can work your way up in your career and increase your earnings over time. Earn an income by doing what you enjoy and your life is likely to take a turn for the better.

7. Create an Emergency Fund

Emergencies and unexpected situations will arise during your lifetime. Instead of living in fear of them occurring, be prepared by having an emergency fund set up. You want to have money that you can access and get quickly and a fund readily available that you can use and won’t set you back. Start saving money for it today and putting money into this account so that you can build it up and ensure it’s ready to go as soon as possible. It may be that you have an expensive home repair you need to cover or you lose your job and need the money while you search for other work. It’ll work to protect you from the unexpected and ease your mind knowing you have a backup plan.

8. Always do Your Homework & Compare Prices

Another tip that’ll help you succeed in this area is to do your homework before making major financial decisions and purchases. Take the time to research your options in-depth and compare prices before you hand over your hard-earned money. You never know when a better deal might come along that will save you some money and help you stay financially well and secure. Sleep on it before you spend your money and make a big purchase so you know you can afford it and feel good about what you’re doing. If you feel pressured into a deal then it may not be as good as it seems anyway.