What does the perfect financial situation look like? The answer doesn’t come in terms of dollars, instead, perfection comes with understanding and implementing the financial basics.

We’ve compiled a 10 action item checklist to help you build and maintain healthy personal financial habits (5 today, 5 in our next newsletter.)

This is bootcamp, so no excuses…

1. Keep a fee-free checking account, with a corresponding debit card, in which you keep only the money that you need for monthly bills and daily purchases. Any extra money should be deposited into a savings or investment account.

2. Keep 2 credit cards (one in your wallet, one at home for emergencies), in your name (as opposed to your parents’ or anyone else’s), for bills that you pay IN FULL (100%!) every month. NEVER miss a due date and make sure that you READ and AGREE WITH each line of the bill before you pay it. Disputing fraudulent charges takes time but saves you money now and in the future!

3. Set up all of your bills-credit cards, cell phone, cable, etc.-online and match the due dates for these bills to reminders on an electronic calendar of your choosing.

4. Set up automatic monthly contributions to your savings account for the day after your paycheck is direct deposited into your checking account. Saving a little something every month, even if it appears too small an amount to matter, adds up more quickly than you may think.

5. Set up your retirement account as soon as possible. When it comes to saving and investing for the long term,time is a girl’s best friend; a very small amount of money can go a very long way if you start early. This savvy choice is imperative to make now as opposed to later.

Alexa is the founder and CEO of LearnVest.