First things first. Before you take on smart earning, spending, and saving, please ask yourself some crucially important money questions. There is absolutely no point in embarking on the path to, say, debt reduction without understanding what motivates you to buy in the first place. Here are a few questions to get you started:

If you are in a serious relationship or are married, ask your partner to answer the same questions then compare results. You'll learn why both of you handle money the way you do, and you can use the information to blaze a financial trail together in the coming months.

Are your papers a mess? Take a few hours this month—break it up into easy 30-minute chunks if you must—and sort, file, and throw away. See Chapter 8 for ideas about what to keep and for how long. Have you found a stash of unpaid and overdue bills or credit card statements? Make paying at least the minimum balance a top priority this month.

Saving money doesn't have to be drudgery, and what better way to watch it grow than storing your investment in a clear jar? Throw a toonie in the jar each day (your family can drop them in too) to make it a habit.

Try to keep track of your spending habits over a couple of weeks to a month to discover where exactly your money is going. Flip back to page 46 to find out how it's done. Track your spending and it will help you with the next stage: budgeting.

If you've been letting the numbers creep up on credit cards, lines of credit, and within consolidated loans, be ready for a nasty shock. But don't despair! By understanding how much debt you have, you're making a first step toward driving it back down. Revisit page 92 and use our "How much do I owe?" worksheet to get a lay of the land.

What is your household income? How about home equity, RRSPs, and other investments? Subtract what you owe from what you have to determine your net worth and how far into the black or red you really are.

Unsure what your credit score is? It's time to fire up your computer and check the credit bureaus' websites or reach for the phone and find out. With a great score, you'll be offered—and be able to negotiate—better deals from mortgages to credit card rates. Contact the two main credit-reporting agencies: TransUnion and Equifax at Transunion.ca and Equifax.ca.

If you decide to sign up for some professional financial help, start by asking money-savvy friends which planner they use, or try checking Fpsccanada.org, the Financial Planners Standards Council's database of planners across Canada. Only those in good standing are listed.

You don't have to be a financial wiz to participate in a money club. Simply grab a few people who want to get their finances on track and meet up once a month. Visit Chatelaine.com for tips and advice.

At least once a month (or even more often in the first few months) sit down and go over the books either by yourself or with your spouse. Make it a quasi-date night if that makes the prospect seem more exciting. And don't forget to keep throwing your toonies in the jar.

Evaluate the spending patterns you tracked last month and come up with goals for saving. Keep tracking and stay within your guidelines. Can't remember how? Turn back to page 44 for a budget refresher course.

Do your bills often go unopened or do you simply forget to pay on time? Designate one area of your home "Bill Central" and set up a plan so you're paying them off each month. Find out more on page 54.

Searching for a way to incur less credit card interest? While the most effective way is to pay off your purchases in full each month, that's not always an option if you're digging yourself out of debt today. Turn back to Chapter 3 to pick up smart solutions for driving down debt.

No one likes to think about taxes, but if you're behind in filing them, or RRSP season is upon you, gather up the files and set aside a couple of hours per week this month until the deed is done. Read Chapter 5 to pick up some good advice.

Take a good look at your career and ask yourself if you are where you want to be right now. Are you making enough money to pay your bills and keep a roof over your head (about 50 percent of what you bring in)? Are you saving a chunk in an emergency fund for retirement and other long- and short-term goals (about 20 percent)? And are you having some fun (think 30 percent for entertainment, vacations, dinners out, gifts, etc.)? If not, maybe you can find ways to make more without totally exhausting yourself. Check to see what kind of benefits you get. Are they adequate? If not, perhaps you can you ask for better or more relevant ones. Devise a plan and approach your manager if the timing seems right. Head back to Chapter 1 for more work-related suggestions.

We're not saying you have to start loading up on stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles. This month you should simply be laying the foundation for a smart and sensible plan. Sign up for automatic payments and begin at your own pace. Even $200 a month earning five percent interest will add up to $31,056 in 10 short years. This month, it's all about making saving a habit. Check out Chapter 4 for some hassle-free, low-stress investment ideas. If you feel the time is right to become more aggressive, that's perfectly fine too. Take this month to research your options.

Most experts agree that you should have between three and six months' worth of living expenses put aside to help you prepare for life's emergencies such as job loss, fire, and serious illness. Approach your financial institution and open a savings account. Then get in the habit of making regular deposits weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Once you feel you can start adding more, up your contributions. See page 243 for more ideas.

Buy home insurance, life insurance, car insurance, and others. Do you have enough? Do your research then approach an insurance agent referred by friends or colleagues. Some financial advisors can handle these transactions as well.

Get over the squeamish factor and just do it. See page 252 to find out how.

Do you pour good money into your house only to watch it eat up all your extra cash? If your mortgage term is almost up, think about refinancing your house to lower the interest and save hundreds or thousands of dollars. Take advantage of government tax credit programs too, and make some necessary repairs to lower your heating costs, make the place more comfortable, or ready your home to be put on the market.

You've been snowballing your debt payments for months now. Do you have any credit cards paid off in full yet? It might be time to call the credit card company and either lower your rate or cancel the card outright (as long as it's a newer card, so closing it will have less of an impact on your credit score).

Between interest rate roller coasters and ever-adjusting tax legislation, finance info changes on a dime. Keep tabs on new rules, regulations, and information by bookmarking some of your favourite money sites.

Now that your debt is down, savings are up, bills are being paid on time, and taxes are filed, sit down with a journal or around the kitchen table with family members and explore how the last six months have changed you—and where you're headed. Break out the bubbly and spend those toonies. If you have kids, let them roll the coins and exchange them at the bank for bills. It's time to put the money saved toward pure, unadulterated fun.