Spend less than you make
Pay down your debt
Establish an emergency fund
Contribute to a 401(k)/IRA
Choose a diversified portfolio of index funds
Rebalance when the funds get away from your chosen allocation.
Consider taxes when buying or selling in a non tax advantaged account.
I’ll add one more to your list....
Make your maximum contributions to a Roth IRA, (or several).
At the rate this bunch is going to raise taxes, tax deferred accounts like 401’s will cost more to withdraw than paying upfront today, IMO.
I didn't figure this out until I was about 35 years old and nearly $20k in debt.. (not counting mortgage and auto!).... Took me about 15 years to get OUT of debt.
I do still have a mortgage... but, I'm 7 years into a 15yr loan, with significant equity. So, I'm feeling better about it.
I've made sure to pound this notion into the heads of my sons. It's really very simple: DON't let more money get to your checking account than you NEED to live on month to month. Hide it in savings accounts, or investment accounts...
WHATEVER GETS TO CHECKING, GETS SPENT!
At least, that's the way it's worked my household. My wife and I raise or lower our level of spending depending on the balance we see when we take out ATM's. :-(