Let your retirement accounts grow and remain in place until retirement. About one in three investors cashed out their 401(k) before reaching age 59 1/2, per data from Fidelity Investments. When you change jobs, instead of cashing out a 401(k) account, just roll it over into an IRA. Don’t borrow from your 401(k) plan, either, unless it’s an emergency and you really have no better option. That’s another way of stealing from your financial future.

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Teach your children about the value of a dollar and about investing. The earlier they start putting money away, the longer it will have to grow. This personal finance rule is very powerful, as it can cascade down generations of your family. It also costs you little to nothing to do, and can result in your kids being financially self-sufficient throughout their lives, not needing support from you in their adulthood.

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Maintaining a solid credit score, which is important throughout much of your life, as it can get you lower mortgage interest rates, saving you tens of thousands of dollars and can also get you approved for the best credit cards –ones with great terms, great benefits, and more. Too keep your credit score high, pay off your bills in full and on time. Avoid maxing out your credit limits on your credit cards.

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Pay close attention to fees all over your financial life — in your investment accounts, bank accounts, mutual funds, retirement accounts and so on. Spend a little time taking inventory of them and see whether you might switch to some lower-cost options.

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Invest effectively as you can. If you are socking away huge sums buy keeping them all in money market-like investments, those sums won’t grow very quickly. Don’t settle for default settings. Be sure to find out what kinds of fees you’re being charged in your 401(k), too, and give extra consideration to choices with low fees.

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Invest aggressively to save sufficiently for your retirement years. Compound interest will be your friend if you are consistent over a long period of time.

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Use tax-advantaged retirement accounts as a way to save more. The traditional forms such as Roth IRA’s and 401 (k)’s will give you up-front tax breaks by shrinking your taxable income in the year of your contribution –while the Roth versions accept post-tax contributions and promise tax-free withdrawals if you follow the rules. Contribute at least enough to your 401(k) to receive any matching money available from your employer —that’s free money, after all.

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For best results throughout your financial life, live below your means- such as by using coupons, comparing prices before buying, bypassing some luxuries, and bringing lunches. The more you can save, the better off you’ll be — now and in retirement. You might hike the percentage of your pay that you contribute to your 401 (k) account annually, and another strategy is to plow any raise you receive right into your savings.

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Having a budget is key to your personal financial success. If you have no problem spending money on anything you want while also saving and investing sufficient sums to meet your financial goals (such as retirement or down payment on a home) you may not need to budget. But most folks will profit by taking the time to track exactly how they’re spending their money and coming up with an improved, money-saving spending plan. Categories such as housing, food, utilities, and savings should come before travel and other discretionary spending.

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Shop for cheaper insurance regularly. Be sure you have all the insurance coverage you need — home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, health insurance, and  renters insurance. Once you buy your policies, don’t stop there. Aim to spend an hour or so each year making phone calls to insurers, to shop around for better rates. Different insurers might offer the best deal in different years, also keep an insurer’s reputation in mind too. Don’t switch to one that’s not rated highly.

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