The PFL Roadmap: 7 steps to take control of your money

A free, interactive checklist from PFL Consulting. Work through each checkpoint, check off the tasks, and run your own numbers. Your progress saves in your browser. No sign-up.

1. Set your budget: list every income source and every expense.

2. Sort expenses into fixed and variable, and flag what you could cut.

3. Check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

4. Freeze your credit at Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

5. If you're in debt, make a payoff plan.

6. Move the money you cut into an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account.

7. Invest what's left in a 401(k), an IRA, or both.