A first step to any good financial plan is to sort out all your finances in an orderly manner. The key is both financial and fiscal discipline. This takes extraordinary perseverance since it is relatively easy to slide back to profligate ways. Financial discipline refers to a workable practical financial plan such as making a savings deposit every month consistently. No ifs and buts. Fiscal discipline refers to budgetary focus on your individual earnings and expenditures. It is best not to spend more than what you earn although this rule is not absolute. Occasional lapses can happen but it should not become a lifetime pattern of spending. Anyone can start a realistic savings program and then avail of the benefits of compounding on your money.