<prompt> Human: I am nearly 18 now and feel like I am the only person who is super conscious about my financial future. I feel almost unsettled by my ludicrously high expectations of a decent yearly wage considering the average uk wage of 2014 was roughly 25k-27k. I feel like I need to start gathering ideas of a financial plan sooner rather than later but dont know where to begin. Luckily I have a stable part time job at the moment that will see me for as long as I need it. Sorry this post seems all over the place, I do not have a clue about this sort of thing whether it be investing etc. Any advice is highly appreciated.  <response>: Financial plans have the benefit of being extremely simple at their core. Spend less than you make.Thats the biggie. Everything else is how to make that easier, nicer or how to do it more efficiently. You do not need a massive detailed life plan. Things will change, but if you can meet the bit above, everything else can fall into place fairly easily.---The next big section is how to spend. Spend your money on things that give you the most in return this does not have to be financial, but makes you happier or is more rewarding. ---How not to spend too much: Budget! Plan your spending and keep track to see how well youre meeting your plan. Update the plan regularly as things change, your budget needs to be realistic.---How not to spend money on nothing at all: Dont get into debt.Being in debt means you have to spend money to stay in the same place. Treading water gets tiring.---Debt, advanced: Take out low interest debt when its cheaper than waiting not actingThis one just means that its OK to take on debt, but you want cheap borrowing and for it to be important. For example, a mortgage can be cheaper than renting even thought you have to pay more to get the money. Borrowing for studies can be pay off massively in your favour by getting you a much better job. Its a balancing act.Borrowing money on an expensive credit card for an XBox will not pay off in your favour.---Save for the future: If youre spending less than you earn you need somewhere to put the cashTheres a whole host of things for this, with different approaches wonderfully detailed here: However, in the interests of simplification, once youre not in high-interest debt:1. Save for unexpected payments. Theyre unexpected because you dont know what theyll be, but you can expect them to crop up occasionally. This is called an emergency fund. It smooths over lifes bumps.2. Save for retirement. Meet your employer match at the absolute minimum, its free money.3. Save for specific goals, holiday house car guitar whatever.4. Invest for the long term, this might be more in pensions or in a NISA. Long term investment growth is tasty. 