• Do a budget and actually monitor it ... most people don't do this closely enough.
• Try to save, invest and pay down debt on a routine basis.  Tthis can be more difficult for people who are self employed or have fluctuating income and therefore they need to be diligent during the better months.
• Try to structure your debt so that it can be tax-deductible. (note - see the debt swapping section).
• Try to negotiate interest rates on any debt to be as low as possible.
• Pay bills on time to avoid late charges and don't carry monthly balances on credit cards.
• See if employer has ability to facilitate source deduction for RRSP investments, especially if any partial matching is offered.
• Make your lunch rather than eating at restaurants regularly.
• If you receive funds as a present  - use them for RRSP, TFSA or RESP contributions - or pay down some debt.
• Watch the flyers for routine items (staple goods) to go on sale.  By bulking up you can save.
• Index your savings yearly!  If you were saving and or investing $1,000per month last year, this year you should try for $1,030 a month.
• Check to see if there is a discount for paying certain costs annually,  rather than monthly,  such as for auto or life insurance.

The trick is to still enjoy life along the way! - Many of these ideas may seem small in amount but collectively can add up.

We believe that, if you set your own financial plan with your life goals and commit to following the plan, you will be less likely to stray from the plan by splurging on impulses. After all, how important is the big screen TV for watching the Superbowl when you could, instead, pay down your mortgage?

People don't plan to fail ... they fail to plan.