at right, exercise and take control of your body — it's not tough to figure out how to make yourself over physically. The same goes for making over your finances — if you budget your spending and save for the future, you'll build a nest egg for you and your family. However, like losing that last 10 pounds, fine-tuning your finances is easier said than done. Here's how to get a jump start on your financial makeover.

Start strategizing
Think of your budget as a starting point, your game plan for your money makeover. The best way to begin is to track everything you spend — and that includes $2 for coffee in the morning and change for those vending machine snacks in the afternoon.

Then, take a look at what you spend in a month and find places to cut back. Maybe you could spend $50 less on clothes each month, or save $30 by carpooling. Go to our printable Budget Strategy checklist.

Decrease debt
A sound debt-reduction plan goes hand in hand with developing an emergency savings stash. You can use all your extra cash to pay down credit card bills, but as soon as the transmission goes on your car, you'll be running up that credit debt again. So make sure you put money away for emergencies, while you gradually pay off what you owe, to avoid sliding back into debt.

Make sure you're paying more than the minimum amount due on credit card bills and consider consolidating your debt using a low-interest loan or a single credit card.

The big picture
Getting your finances in order isn't just about the present — it's about the future. Investing for the long term is easier when you use automatic payroll deductions to contribute regularly to a 401(k) or an IRA. And, the earlier you begin investing, the more likely you are to have a nest egg for retirement.

Educate yourself
Understanding your finances and changing your habits are the first steps toward a successful money makeover. With planning and discipline, you can create a better financial present and future for you and your family.