Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps
Baby Step 1:  $1,000 Beginner Emergency Fund
Put a little starter emergency fund of $1,000 in the bank, and don't
touch that money except for emergencies.  This money should
be liquid and available for emergencies a regular savings 
account will do.
Baby Step 2:  Get Out of Debt Using the Debt Snowball
List your debts (not including your home mortgage) from smallest
to largest by balance, and then attack the smallest one.  Throw 
every dollar you can at it and get it out of your life as quickly as 
possible.  Paying minimum on all Debt's except the lowest.
Baby Step 3:  Fully Funded Emergency Fund 
Go back to your starter emergencey fund and and beef it up to a 
fully funded emergency fund.  This should be three to six months
of expences.  
Baby Step 4:  Save 15% of Your Income for Retirement
This is when you will start to invest for your Future.  Put 15% of your
income into a Retirement account.  This in order should be a Match
401k up to the match, Roth IRA, Regular IRA and then back to the 
401k.  Other Retirement accounts would work too if available to you.
Always use a Roth Account when available.
Baby Step 5:  Save for Your Children's College
Start a savings account for your Childrens College.  Using a ESA or 
a 529 plan.  Putting the money in good stock growth funds.
Baby Step 6:  Pay of the House
Baby steps 4, 5 and 6 all happen at the same time.  So all money 
available after steps 4 and 5 should be chuncked ont the 
house.  When done this will make you completely Debt Free!
Baby Step 7:  Build Wealth and Give
Now is the time to completely blow up your retirement
savings.  Now it's not just about reaching your retiremtent
dream; it's about building wealth that can change your family,
your community, and your legacy for generations to come.