The only way that things will be different tomorrow is if you make practical changes today.

It’s been said that the best day to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the second best day is today. When it comes to financial management and good habits with money, we can’t go back 20 years and undo our mistakes of the past. We can’t erase our bad financial decisions or go back and buy Apple stock in the 1990’s. What we can do, however, is start today so that 20 years from now looks different.

If you can start moving with some of these good financial habits, it’s as close as you can get to a guarantee that you’ll be in a better financial situation in the future.

Save 

For many people, it’s nearly impossible to imagine a world where you’re regularly contributing to your savings account. Whether it’s because you’re barely making ends meet right now or because you have a hard time with impulse control, it can be hard to develop the habit of saving money. Even if you can start with a small amount of money every month, the discipline of saving protects your future. A rainy day doesn’t have to be a devastation when you’ve set some emergency funds aside.

Pay 

As overwhelming as debt can be, ignoring it can be catastrophic to your future financial opportunities. Aside from the financial hurdles that exist when you owe more than you can afford to pay, there are issues of constantly accruing interest and plummeting credit scores that end up costing you in the long-term. By employing some tactics to attacking your debt — like the debt snowball (link) — you’re going to be able to take control of your financial situation.

As an added bonus to paying your bills, even a bad credit score can recover rather impressively when bills are paid on time.

Ask 

Don’t try to manage everything about your financial situation alone. If you aren’t yet working with someone who can help you plan for your future, find a good financial planner. Ask a friend or family member what they do, who they work with, or what they’ve learned along the way. Take an online class or attend a workshop. The sooner you realize that financial freedom comes because of the relationships you have, the better off you’ll be.

Your financial life is only going to be as healthy as the habits you sustain in your life. By taking practical — and even small — steps forward, you’ll make a difference in practical ways sooner than you think. The second best day to make these changes is today.