1. No matter how little money you have or earn, it's important to save for one or more long-term goals. This is what will make you feel good about yourself -- knowing that you have, each month, set aside money to buy a house or pay for college or provide income during retirement. Building self-worth is a far more valuable asset than net worth, and a tangible value to pass on to your children. One of the first tenets of investing for the future is "pay yourself first." The first outgo from your paycheck is paid into a savings or investment account, preferably with an automatic, scheduled deposit system.

2. Next, naturally, you have to pay off all of your bills. Ensure that you always pay your credit cards -- at very least the minimum amount -- on time. Your credit history and score are the keys to your financial success. Other people may earn more money than you and have more expensive goodies, but if you have good credit it's the finance world equivalent to good health.

3. If you budget effectively, then you will have discretionary income for your own choices -- and treats. Soccer, pool membership, clothes, vacations.

If you are not a frugal shopper by nature, consider these tips:

• Be realistic about your budget. If you spend $400/month on groceries, you won't be able to cut that in half. But with careful planning you can trim $25-50 each month.
• That means shopping with a list in hand.
• Not buying in volume unless you use in volume.
• Ignoring sale racks unless you're looking for something specific.
• Go for a walk -- not in the shopping mall -- if you are bored.
• Don't buy things you "could use" -- only what you truly want or need.
• Use a debit card to keep you from spending more than you have.
• Buy used cars. More than 36 percent of U.S. millionaires prefer to buy used cars for the value.