Every single one of usno matter our location, age, gender, hair color, family background or racehas to manage our personal finances. For some, its an exciting passion, a never-ending game of how much can I accumulate in one lifetime. For others, its just part of life, something that needs to be dealt with but doesnt border on obsession. And finally, for many of us, personal finance is nothing but drudgery at best and an emotional trigger at worst. Fortunately, there are a few simple rules that will help anyone stay on track, and reduce the amount of stress involved when it comes to making sure personal finances are well in order. DO get organized. Even if youre a messy, this Do is crucial. Youll miss important due dates, pay exorbitant late fees and possibly get into serious debt (or credit trouble) if you dont have a handle on what you owe and when you owe it. A simple rule of thumb: the messier you are, the simpler your system. DO draw up a spending plan. Every dollar that comes into your household goes out in one way, shape or form, even if its to a savings account. Know where your moneys coming in and where its going. Without this information, you cant possibly make wise financial choices. Overwhelmed by the thought? Ask a financially responsible friend or relative (whom you trust) to do it for you. You cant argue with successand they can help you make the hard decisions when it comes to having to trim spending in certain areas. DONT cut out all your fun. Decide, along with your family, whats most important to you in terms of living a happy life. Then divide up your budget accordingly. If your family really enjoys eating out, plan for it. Just keep in mind you may have to spend a lot less on groceries or clothing. If none of us are the same then our spending plans shouldnt be the same. If you love to read then cutting back on cable TV wouldnt be a problem. If you love to watch sports, then cutting back on cable TV would be a serious problem. DO allow impulse spending. Yup, you read it correctly. Unless you plan for a certain amount of miscellaneous, unexpected expenses in your spending plan, youll always feel as though youre blowing your budget when you pick up items you werent planning to buy. Just like anything else, give yourself a buffer. A side benefit: you get to skip the guilt when you pick up that neat velour Elvis on the boardwalk. DONT use your local bank unless you absolutely have to. Check out all available credit unions first. In most cases, theyll have better rates and more friendly policies on everything from fees to lending practices. Each dollar you deposit buys you a share, or membership, in the credit union. So instead of being a customer youre actually a member. Like the ad says, membership has its privileges. DO use a debit card with protection. Before you use a debit card, make sure your checking account is safe in case you lose your card or its somehow stolen. Also make sure you have the right to reverse charges in case merchants dont provide the goods or services you purchased. DONT buy a new car. Considering the fact that new cars depreciate thousands of dollars as soon as you drive them off the lot, can anyone explain why buying a new car would be a good idea? DO run numbers before every major financial decision. Conventional wisdom worksmost of the time. But there are always exceptions. For example, in most cases, it doesnt make sense to borrow from a 401(k). But there are instances where its financially beneficial. Youll hear it preached from the rooftops that you shouldnt use a home equity loan to pay off credit cards, or that debt consolidation loans are nothing but trouble. But if youre financially responsible and ran into some tough circumstances, a HELOC or debt consolidation could be a lifesaver. Search online for calculators that will help clarify the situation. Numbers dont lie. And finally, perhaps the most important Do of all DO remember that personal finance is just thatpersonal. Everyone loves to give advice, and everyone loves to share their opinions. What worked for your mom and dad may not work for you. On the other hand, they probably have years of wisdom you can draw from. Consider your personal finances an extension of who you are and where youre going. Study the topic, and take the time to develop your own unique strategies when it comes to saving, spending and investing. During this information age theres never been a better time to find the facts you need, in record time. Everyone has finances. Get personal when it comes to yours.