what are your first steps towards financial freedom?

The first step to financial freedom is to have a target that is achievable, fancy and unattainable expectations will demotivate. The second is to plan the work or any other inputs you need to put in to get what you want. The third is to actually work towards it and not lose focus. Getting diverted by momentary weakness for something will throw you off the course to what you want to achieve. All of this is very difficult, but can be done. I had a target and have worked hard to get to it. I even got to it a couple of times. But things beyond my control, like health and market economy, pulled me down time and again. My remedy to these was to simply reduce my needs. I am now sure that I will reach my destination soon. Hope you too reach where you want to go!

Where to start depends on where you are. Are you spending more than you're making? Then you have to start there and get spending under control. Do you have an emergency fund in place? If not, then you have to start there. Are you in debt? Get out of it. Do you have a retirement account? Get one. There are a lot of steps to being financially free, but you can't get there from where you are unless you're willing to do the basics.

I think it is wise to learn how to save while still young. If you are currently employed and are financially able to put 10-15% of your monthly paycheck into a savings account then do so! If you use credit cards it is important to know how to use them wisely. Always pay off your monthly balance and do not use more than 30% of your credit card limit. Get familiar with your credit report and credit score. Go to www.freecreditreport.com to get a free credit report. It is important to understand your current debt and how to work towards paying it off. It should go without saying, but a modest lifestyle is the key to financial freedom. When you do not buy what you cannot afford it will benefit you later in life. Those are my tips. =)