If you're anything like us, your life plan involves starring in a Die Hard reboot and making $50 million from it.

That’s great. By that time, you’ll be able to afford an accountant in a sweater vest and pocket protector to help you figure out the money stuff.

Until then, though, you've got to figure it out for yourself. Assuming you're in middle school or high school, your financial planning might look a little something like this:

Step 1: Money In

Here are a few ways you might be making money. Remember to jot them all down in your budget, so you can be sure you've got an accurate count.

• After-school job
• Odd jobs for neighbors
• Allowance/Chores
• Birthday/Holiday gift money
• Selling your old stuff on eBay or at a garage sale
• Lemonade stand/bake sales
• Prize money for an essay contest or math bowl

Whether the money's coming from your blue-haired granny or it's hard-earned dough from pulling weeds, it's your cash. Keep track of it.

Step 2: Money Out

Now…where's all that money going? Here are a few things to keep in mind when budgeting, but you can easily find out where your money is going by keeping a spending record.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Snacks
• Cell phone
• Movie tickets
• Clothes and shoes
• Makeup, hair products, and nail polish
• Arizona Iced Tea (duh)
• Video games
• Concert tickets
• Friday nights

Hopefully money out < money in. If not…you've got some readjusting to do.

Step 3: Savings

Okay, let's say you're a money genius and your money out is less than your money in. What do you do with what's left over? You've got a few options:

• Open a checking account.
• Open a savings account.
• Invest.
• Put it under your mattress and pray.

Head on over to our sections on saving and investing for all the deets.

Step 4: Money Goals

What’s all that money in your savings account for? To deal with that burning question, you'll want to create some money goals. Basically…what do you want to spend your money on?

Here are some goals, both short-term and long-term:

• Buy a new pair of jeans
• Go on a school trip
• Buy a bike
• Buy a new video game
• Pay for college
• Gloat about being rich
• Raise a family comfortably

Knowing why you're saving keeps you motivated and prevents you from spending your cash on stuff that's irrelevant to your goals—no matter how hilarious it would be to buy that "Memes are Stupid" meme shirt.

Step 5: Supervision

Have you ever left Mr. Higgins alone while you were supposed to be catsitting him for your neighbor? One minute he's quietly curled up on the couch, and the next minute the curtains are in ribbons and Mrs. Hendel’s favorite vase is tipped over.

Yeah, money can be a little bit like Mr. Higgins.

Sure, money won’t shed all over your favorite shirt or throw up in your shoes (thanks for that, Mr. H), but if you don't keep an eye on it, it can quickly spiral out of control. You might start spending more than you realize, or—worst case—someone might hack your bank account and steal some of your cash. Supervising your accounts—and yourself—can make a huge difference.

Step 6: Being an Adult

Once you graduate and have a job, financial planning will get a lot more complicated. Sure, you'll have more money—hopefully enough for a place to live, a car, and the other basics—but you'll also have a lot more to keep track of. Here are a few things to look forward to:

• Utilities (heat, water, electricity, gas)
• Groceries (for you and your entire family)
• Insurance
• Mortgage or other loans
• Taxes
• Investments
• YOU (yeah, you're expensive)

Good luck. You're gonna need it.