Do a credit check — make sure there are no mistakes.

Call it a spending plan, if you like, but however you refer to it, be sure to see it as a positive enabler, rather than a restriction or a barrier. The purpose of the budget is to get you to arrive at your goal. If, for example, your goal is to take a beach vacation next year, putting money aside each paycheck and limiting spending on restaurants and clothing are as important in getting you there as filling the gas tank and turning the car on the highway that leads to the shore.

Start with an understanding of how much income you have to work with, and then allocate it as necessary for living expenses. If you have debt, set aside part of your income to retire that debt just as quickly as you can.

Then, just as important as your expenses and debt commitment, be sure you contribute to your own savings plans: one toward an emergency fund (in case of job loss or illness, for example); the others, for your goals (your kids, your honey, your retirement). Make saving as automatic as possible (an IRA or 401 [k] for retirement, for example); the money can come right out of your paycheck. Use payroll deduction as an easy way to do this  -  and try to put at least half of your future raises in savings. You can spend the other half.

Get expert help on your credit repair.