Secrets of 6 top financial advisers

Some of the financial planning profession's most respected veterans reveal their favorite strategies for tough times.

Years in business: 29
Client assets: $120 million
Known for: Former chairwoman, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

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Peggy Cabaniss - The calm voice
HC Financial Advisors, Lafayette, Calif.

It's easy to fritter money away. What you need is a plan.

Let's say you make $10,000 a month gross. Write that down. Take out what your income tax is and what you pay for Social Security. Take out whatever is deducted from your paycheck for your health plan and your 401(k).Notice that I set out goals first. What 95% of people do is, money comes into their checking account, they spend it, and at the end of the month there's nothing left. Of course they don't accomplish their goals.

On the day that money hits your checking account, have a certain amount automatically transferred to a savings or brokerage account. The main thing is that it doesn't sit around tempting you to spend.

NEXT: The secret making your money last