You don’t have to have a college degree in finance to control your own. All you need is some common sense and a few strong financial management ideas to get you on the right path.

Track all your spending through the day. Even the small, inconsequential purchases. You may be surprised at what you spend. However, if you put this into a notebook that you can just shut and put away until you deal with it later, you may find it just gets ignored. A better option is to track expenses on a large whiteboard that sits out in full view. As noticeable as it will be, it will be a constant reminder of your situation.

Watch out for heavy investors’ fees. Full service brokers levy fees for services they provide. Your total return will be greatly affected by these fees. It’s important to research brokers before you use them. Find out what their fees are as well as any other costs associated with working with them.

Talk to your bank to see if you can set up a plan that automatically transfers money into your savings account every month. This can be a great way to save money. It is also a great way to save for an important future event, such as a special vacation or a wedding.

The biggest purchase in the budget for your household is the purchase of a home or a new car. Payments on principal and interest for these items are sure to take the biggest chunk out of your monthly income. You can pay these items faster simply with an additional payment every year, or you could make use of your tax refunds for paying the balance.

Instead of using one credit card and almost maxing it out, try to have 2 or 3 cards with lower balances on them. You will probably have lower interest payments this way. The lower amount will be less of a burden to your credit, as long as you stay in control of both cards.

The healthy, trouble-free finances that everyone deserves are within the grasp of anyone, even those of the most modest means. Use your head and remember these tips so you can follow a budget and decrease your debt.