Not being prepared can get you into trouble when an emergency strikes. For most people, the rule of thumb is to keep enough savings on hand to cover at least 3-6 months’ worth of expenses. But understand that the exact number varies according to personal factors like your job security and other risks. You don’t want to rely on more debt or cashing out your retirement savings in order to cover an emergency. The hardest part is getting the fund together from scratch when you don’t have it. But once it’s there, you can have peace of mind in knowing there’s a cash cushion to break a fall.

Saving anything is better than nothing, but aiming for a goal of at least 10% is enough to actually jumpstart your retirement fund, get you into a good habit and maybe even make room for some other savings. But, before you start worrying about where to put it, how to start a retirement plan or any other types of investments, just save 10%. Get it in motion. If you can save some or all of this as tax-deferred through an employer’s retirement savings program, do it. The sooner your money is saved, the sooner it starts to grow and compound. Your future self will feel pretty smart, because no one ever looks back and wishes they had saved less.

There’s nothing “personal” about your finances unless you’re single and completely independent. If you’re married, living with a partner or have children, your financial moves affect everyone in your family and vice versa. Silence kills when it comes to money and family. Talk to your spouse or partner about money issues. And whether it’s bill-paying, check balancing, budgeting, or long-term planning, be sure that each person understands their own role, Involve your kids early and show them that money is about choices.

Always cover your assets so that accidents, break-ins or natural hazards don’t force you into bankruptcy. The most important insurance products for most people are health, property, life and auto. When buying insurance, be sure you understand your personal and family needs so you don’t buy too much or too little. Examine the deductibles and premiums, and find out if you can combine multiple lines under one insurance company for cost breaks.