If your employer offers a 401k match, contribute at LEAST enough to get the full match. That's free money — like a 100% instant return. Skipping the match is leaving thousands of dollars on the table every single year. Do that before anything else.

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.

Taxes are the part everyone forgets about. Whatever you're planning, factor in what you'll owe Uncle Sam. Talk to an accountant — a good one saves you more than they charge. H&R Block is fine for simple stuff but get a real CPA if it's complicated.

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.

I'm not a financial advisor but I've learned a lot from personal experience. The most important thing is to start early and be consistent. Even small amounts add up over time thanks to compound interest. Don't try to time the market.

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.