10 Financial Steps You Can't Afford to Put Off

2. Are you contributing to your 401(k) up to the match? You would think that most people would jump at the chance to receive free money. If your company matches a certain percentage of your 401(k) contribution, that is exactly what they are offering you, but studies indicate there is only a 50% chance that you are actually taking this free money.

3. Have you written your will? Accidents happen and even those who are young should have a will, but many people make excuses as to why they haven't gotten around to creating this important financial document. It may be that you don't want to think about it or you believe you have plenty of time, but the reality is that you never know when you may die. Even more important, many people fail to set up a living will and other important information that they will need to have their wishes carried out if they can not make decisions for themselves.

4. Have you built an emergency fund? You know you need one, but have you taken the time to figure out how much money you really need in case of an emergency and set up a plan to achieve that goal? Emergencies happen to the best of us, and not building an emergency fund is something you will regret if when the unexpected happens.

5. Have you created a budget? You know you should have one so you know where your money is going. Many people fail to create a budget, because they fear what they may see. But creating a budget is a cornerstone of getting your finances in order and everyone should at least have a basic plan in place.