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In the rush of everyday life it is often the details that get missed. But the success of your financial life depends on getting the details right. To help you stay on track in a busy world, here are 10 way‘s (plus one} to keep your financial life simple and sweet: 1. Set a budget and stick to it. Take a critical look at your income and expenses and establish a realistic monthly budget that includes an amount for savings. 2. Get debt under control and keep it there Develop good spending habits and use debt wisely. Pay off credit cards and other highâ€" cost, nonâ€"tax deductible debt first. 3. Maximize your / Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions. Take full advantage of this taxâ€" deferred savings builder RUSS by starting early and making ni\ximum conâ€" MCEACHNIE tributions. 4. Develop an education savings plan for your children. Use the taxâ€"deferred compound growth available under a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) to offset the rap idly rising cost of a postâ€"secondary education. 5. Be a prudent money manager. Carefully consider where each dollar is going. Set enough aside on a regular basis to achieve your goals with a Preâ€"Authorized Contribu tion {[PAC) program that automatically invests a specified amount in securities held in your RRSP or nonâ€"registered portfolio. Keep finances sweet and simple | _ 6. Check and revise your insurance coverage to match your changing needs. As your life evolves (career, marriage, family) your need for income protection and estate planâ€" ning changes. 7. Make "taxâ€"efficient" investment decisions. Dividends and capital gains are taxed more favourably than interest. So it‘s usually a taxâ€"wise decision to hold investments that earn interest inside your taxâ€"deferred RRSP and those that earn dividends and capital gains outside your RRSP. 8. Establish an asset allocation plan that complements your financial planning needs. Your investment portfolio should include assets from the three asset categories: cash fixedâ€"income investments and equities. Peaks in one cateâ€" gory tend to cance) out valleys in another and the overall result should be steadier longâ€"term growth. 9. Consolidate and simplify. If you have a bewildering arzay of investments, simplify your portfolio so it‘s more easily managed and restructure it periodically to align it with your evolving personal goals. 10. Minimize your taxes. Take advantage of all of the tax deductions and tax credits available to you. Examples are moving expenses, childâ€"care expenses, tuition fees, medical expenses, charitable donations and safety deposit box charges. 11. Develop a financial plan and stick to it. A professional advisor can help you "simplify" the financial steps required to realize your life goals. This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc., presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact Russ McEachnie for specific advice about your cir cumstances at 519â€"886â€"2360, ext. 241 or email at russell. mceachnie@investorsgroup.com. Complete Collision and Refinishing Service Northdale Auto Body 519â€"884â€"0550 , WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, November 21, 2007 * 15