As the nation continues to face the consequences of years of reckless lending, excessive risk-taking and money management undisciplined, over-extended consumers following suit and trying to get their finances in order and regain control of household expenditure.

There is no better time to do that after the temptations of the holiday shopping season are behind us. Starting the new year with resolutions of the company to pay debts, buy smart, save more and, in these times of economic challenges, preserving and protecting your credit as the golden eggs that is.

Follow this 12 step plan to rejuvenate your resume personal balance and position yourself for a prosperous 2009.

1. Set goals, and put them in writing. The circumstances of each person are different, so to spend some quality time thinking about their own priorities. Put your goals in writing makes it more likely that you achieve them. Put them in a prominent place, as near your desk or in the refrigerator as a daily reminder to help you stay focused. Your financial goals should match your life goals. Break into short, intermediate and long-term objectives with concrete actions, additional measures to achieve them. Review monthly to monitor their progress.

2. Account of their expenses. Feeling like you lost control of their finances is not always the lack of income. Sometimes has more to do with a disorganized approach to finance, or even simple ignorance about where their real money. If this is you, every item that passes for a month, then put your expenses into categories (food, utilities, entertainment, etc.). Categorization of exploration expenditures, and then list your weaknesses quickly excesses, whether of Italian leather shoes ( "I bought How many pairs last month ") or your DVD collection growth.

3. Change their attitudes about money. It's easy to fall off the wagon frugal, but fundamental changes in perspective are essential to avoid falling into old patterns of expenditure. Learn to say no to your spouse or children, without feeling guilty.

4. Make paying your credit card debt a high priority. Credit cards have interest rates higher than any other type of loan, so makes sense to pay the outstanding credit card debt first, before other types of loans. You'll save on interest payments, eliminate possible Late payment penalties and increase your credit score.

5. Avoid taking on new debt. Apart from a house, car or college tuition, take the habit of saving until you can pay cash for any purchase. Deferred gratification until you can pay cash through purchases will hold more meaning and value to you. Living within your means or better yet, below its potential.

6. Turbo-charge your savings rate. It is a measure of protection to the recession and could prove a lifesaver in the event of a reduction in office staff. Specify what is going to save (in writing, once more), on what date and how will to free up money to do so. Be realistic but challenge yourself. Keep the money in higher yield online savings or money market account, which often offer better rates of local brick and mortar. And do not forget to check the rates in your local credit union.

7. Give her time. Check your credit report and score and from his personal fault lines, resolve to improve your credit by creating a history as responsible borrower. Doing so could save you thousands of dollars in higher interest payments that the next time you need a loan.

8. Invest in yourself. If your work does not make you happy do not pay enough or is unstable, consider a career change to a growth industry, such as health, or one in which layoffs are unlikely, as the military. If necessary, increase their hours or take a side job. It does has to be a permanent measure, just something to go through a rough patch.

9. Stop major reduce costs. Find ways to reduce their higher costs, such as mortgage or auto or homeowners insurance. You can save on car insurance, for example, by increasing your deductible, taking a safe driver course, installing a car alarm or dropping collision coverage on an old car. Property companies insurance does not always advertise the savings potential of these discounts, so call to learn more.

10. Cut recurrent costs. If decisions on cuts large annual bills is not enough, look with ruffles trim, satellite / cable Premium / the "8-in-a-" time Netflix subscription, or eating out of his gym membership. Decide what you can and can not live without, and remember that one thing or approach is not necessary, often all that is needed is the reduction not elimination.

11. Weaning himself of the consumer society. Reuse, recycle, repair, or without it. Become a do-it-yourselfer. Grow your vegetables. Barter with others for the things you need. Use your innate ingenuity to find ways to get what they need without having to buy new (or infringing law).

12. Know what is important. People and relationships, not possessions, are truly valuable things in life. Cherish, and experience what it's like to feel truly wealthy.Learn ways that can help you become debt free and in control of their finances.

Dawn Handschuh has earned a living putting pen to paper for 25 years. She worked for 10 years in financial services, writing widely on retirement planning, personal finance and specific investment products such as annuities, mutual funds and 401(k) plans. Dawn is also a regular contributor at http://www.CreditFYI.com, a one-stop destination into the world of credit and personal finances.

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