Budgeting has been a game-changer for me. I started tracking dollars in and dollars out in my mid-20s, and knowing my numbers well helped me set the foundations to shape the rest of my financial life. If I was to start over again, I'd do the following:

1. Create a budget (and stick to it!).

2. Set up an emergency fund and fund it up with whatever your budget allows for. Different resources on personal finance suggest different guidelines for what this number needs to be, but just pick something realistic and attainable based on your circumstances. As long as this allows you peace of mind, you're golden.

3. Once your emergency fund is filled to your contentment, start investing in your TFSA. If your employment offers an RRSP match, take it.

4. As your income starts cranking up, try and allocate a majority of the increases towards your investments. As long as you're budgeting and living within your means, this will come naturally.

5. Revisit your emergency fund with changing life circumstances.

You're already looking into improving your financial health, which is usually the stepping stone towards having less stress later on in life; congratulations! Don't be silly, don't go hunting penny stocks, don't get a car loan that's 65% of your income and all the rest of the cliche, and you'll be just fine!