So, do a proper budget, include what you spend (this is where the honesty comes in, and don't forget things like car services, insurance premiums, gifts, vet's fees etc); and what you earn; and act on the gaps. The grand plan is to free up some money for savings and this is the hardest step. But follow these golden rules and you will pave the way for a financially secure future:

Be responsible to those you love
Make a will. Get the medical and other insurances you need. Cover your bases on life's many "what ifs".

Be respectful of yourself and your money
"Money is a living entity, and it responds to energy exactly the same way you do. It is drawn to those who welcome it, those who respect it," says Orman. "Wouldn't you rather be with people who respect you and don't want you to be something you're not? Your money feels the same way."

Trust yourself more than you trust others
Learn what kind of investments you're comfortable with (some people don't have the stomach for equities; others are too impatient to go any other way); find an empathetic financial advisor, and accept that you'll make some mistakes. Then listen to your gut when it comes to financial decisions, from buying a house to selling shares.

Be open to receive all that you are meant to have
Back to the point about money being a living entity that responds to your energy. It's about "giving to say please, and giving to say thank you" that opens you to the principles of abundance, Orman says.

Understand the ebb and flow of the money cycle
Don't panic when your cycle is in a down phase; and don't get careless when it's on the up. Always remember the bigger picture.

Recognise true wealth
"True financial freedom lies in defining yourself by who and what you are, not by what you do or do not have," says Orman. She has a cute exercise: walk around your home and imagine it's a store, and imagine putting a price tag on every item in it, based on what they would be worth today. There's likely to be a whole lot that's priceless. The cabinet your father carved, your grandmother's wedding ring, photographs, a painting a friend did, the carpet you bought on a trip to Turkey. That's your true wealth.