Financial literacy and investing can be boiled down into some pretty simple general rules. These maxims are not to be followed blindly but implemented with an eye towards the fluidity of one’s financial situation. Nevertheless, these “North Star” type guiding principles are not a bad place to start.

With the above in mind, let’s cover a few of these general rules:

Avoid debt (especially high-interest debt; notably, credit card debt)
Have an emergency fund (at least 6-12 months worth set aside for life’s unexpected occurrences)
Have a budget (stick with it and pay yourself first)
Use tax-advantaged accounts (it is hard to beat tax-deferred growth)
Invest regularly, appropriately (think age/risk appropriate asset allocation), and keep your investing costs low (watch expense ratios and utilize index funds)
Protect your credit score (it will save you money in interest costs throughout your life)
Seek out a fee-only financial advisor if you need help

If you would like to read more about Life’s 15 Financial Rules, click on the title above for more information.