Start with awareness. Track your income, expenses, and net worth. Understanding where your money comes from and where it goes is the first step towards control. Use budgeting tools or spreadsheets to visualize your cash flow and identify areas for improvement.

Allocate your income towards needs, wants, and savings using methods like the 50/30/20 rule. Focus on creating a system that's flexible, easy to follow, and aligned with your lifestyle and goals.

Create a debt repayment plan using strategies like the avalanche or snowball method. Freeing yourself from bad debt gives you more freedom and cashflow to invest in your future.

Protect your progress and future investments. Save 3-6 months worth of expenses in an easily accesible account. This financial cushion helps you avoid going back into debt when life throws unexpected expenses your way. This also prevents the necessity to sell your investments in hard times.

Now that you have built a emergency fund and educated yourself a bit. It is time to put your money to work. Begin with basic investment vehicles like index funds or ETFs. Understand the power of compounding and match your strategy to your time horizon and risk tolerance. Don't wait for the "perfect" time.

Consistency beats timing.

Financial freedom is a journey. Stay educated through books, blogs and other credible resources. Tune out the noise, avoid emotional decisions, and review your financial goals regularly. The more you learn the better decisions you'll make and the better you will sleep at night.