Know where you money goes. If you don't, then keep track of ALL your spending for one month. This is tedious but enlightening and a must to get a grip on your situation
Know what your family's financial goals are. Be realistic and attach a time frame for each goal.
Know how much you can spend on each item in your family's budget.
Save money each month for financial goals and unexpected expenses.
Pay all bills on time.
Don't charge more than you can pay each month. If you already have debts you can't pay off in a month, then make a plan to pay them off as quickly as possible.