In tough financial times, it’s good to remind yourself of the basics. Here are some steps you should take to gain control of your finances:

- Track your spending. If you want to save money, it’s essential to know how much is coming in, how much is going out and where it’s going. Some consumers think a budget will crimp their lifestyle, but it’s actually liberating because it lets you know exactly where every penny is going. You also have less chance of overspending and going into debt if you follow a budget.

- Use credit cards only for emergencies or when a credit card is required, such as reserving a hotel room or a rental car or buying plane ticket. Then pay it off each month so you don’t rack up costly interest payments, and pay the bill — and all your bills — on time every month without exception, even if you can only make the minimum payment. Your payment history constitutes the biggest chunk of your FICO credit score, a barometer used by many lenders to decide whether to give you a loan.

- Save, save, save. If you lost your job tomorrow or became disabled, how long could you last without a steady paycheck? Financial planners generally recommended that you have the equivalent to three to six months of bills stashed away. But you may need more. The best way to do that is to have an amount automatically deducted from your paycheck and put into a savings account each month. You won’t spend the money if it’s not in your checking account.

- Don’t dis the 401(k). It’s become the predominant device for retirement savings for private-sector workers. So sign up for your employer’s 401(k), especially if the company matches your contribution, which you should max out. If you can’t afford to max out your 401(k), contribute at least enough to get your employer’s match. That match is free money, so don’t leave it on the table. A 401(k) gives you a head start on retirement saving — and saves you money on your tax bill. Since your contributions are made with pretax dollars, your taxable income is lowered.

- Plan for homeownership. Don’t buy a home you can’t afford — and that doesn’t mean just the mortgage payment. You also must be able to afford the property taxes, maintenance and upkeep. The roots of the economic crisis lie in the easy credit that lenders provided, particularly exotic mortgages that many didn’t understand and that landed them in foreclosure. But lenders are now returning to fundamental principles of prudent lending and ensuring that those who apply for loans can repay them.

If you want to buy a home in the future, start saving for a down payment now and clean up your credit if you’ve had problems.