One of your very first financial goals should be to build up your savings account so you have a financial safety net. Experts advise that you contribute a minimum of 10 percent of your net income to savings every month with the goal of having enough money in the account that you can pay your living expenses for at least six months if you lose your job. That account also allows you to pay cash, not credit, if you’re hit with an unexpected big expense.

Remember: If you draw down your savings, start building it up again right away. Always be prepared for the next big expense or financial setback.

The easiest way to save is to have a set amount of money automatically deducted from each of your paychecks and deposited directly into your savings account. That way, you never have access to the money, so you won’t have to worry about spending it before it gets in the bank. Also, you get used to living without it.

Be realistic about the amount of money you can afford to save each month. If you decide to save $100 per paycheck and then you pull out $99 from your savings account to pay for some of your living expenses, you’re defeating the purpose of your savings program.