Make a budget and actually stick to it. Boring advice, I know, but it works. The envelope method helped my family — cash in labeled envelopes for groceries, gas, fun money. When the envelope is empty, you're done spending in that category.

I'd talk to a few different banks and credit unions, not just the first one. Rates and fees vary a lot. Credit unions especially tend to have better rates than big banks because they're nonprofit and member-owned. Always shop around.

Talk to a fee-only financial advisor, not one who earns commissions on products they sell you. The commission-based advisors have an incentive to recommend products that benefit them, not you. A fee-only advisor charges a flat rate.

Be very skeptical of anything that promises high returns with no risk. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. The dot-com bust should have taught everyone that lesson. Slow and boring index funds beat hot stock tips over the long run.