As gas prices rise and foreclosures are filed by the thousands, residents across the country are looking for ways to keep their money in check.

Mike Klinger, a financial adviser with Ameriprise, told Eyewitness News that weathering a financial storm can be as simple as keeping a monthly budget.

"The reason why you're worried today is because you probably don't have a plan," he said. "If you have a plan, you're going to know which actions to take and you're not going to be worried."

He said the plan has three easy steps.

"Fist step, and most important, is to have a monthly budget. The most successful businesses in the country, like Wal-Mart, meticulously look at their budget. They will look into how much are they spending, how much are they saving, and reduce their expenses and increase their costs," he said. "If you have future goals for your family, shouldn't you be doing the same thing?"

Klinger said that the second step is to pay yourself first. He said that even though cash is tight, consumers should make sure that they maintain retirement and college funds.

The third step, according to Klinger, is to increase your paycheck without increasing your income. He said that means looking for areas to cut back in order to keep more of your cash.

"If you put your homeowners and your auto together on the same insurance company -- you're going to get a bundle rate and it's going to be cheaper," he said.