You might be like millions of Americans who dread opening up their monthly credit card statements, or who haven't actually balanced their checkbook for months…or longer. If you feel like you don't have any control over your money, the reality is it's controlling you.

So how can you keep get control over your finances and build the type of financial future you want? Here are a few suggestions:

Identify what you want to keep…and what you're willing to give up. Instead of feeling like you have to reevaluate your entire lifestyle, focus on what is absolutely essential to you and your family. What is a priority for you? What do you want to maintain about your current lifestyle? What would you like more of? At the same time, jot down some things that you would be willing to give up, if you had to, in order to maintain your priorities.

Consider an example, Jerry and Nicole. With two jobs, two young kids, a mortgage and car payments, it's a hectic life. It doesn't feel like there's any time to plan or keep track of the bills. They try to keep their spending under control, but it's become easy to rely on credit cards for unexpected expenses and for small luxuries. Nicole would like to be able to stay home, or at least cut back her hours at work, but they're not sure they can afford the reduction in income. They're not sure what they can afford if they made the jump for Nicole to stay at home.

They decide to prioritize what they really want financially. They decide that they want to keep their house, their health insurance, and Jerry's car. They also list a few things they think they can do without, at least temporarily while they're in transition - they can sell one of their cars, scale back their cable TV plan, eat out less often, and get a less expensive cell phone plan.

Total up the money you need. Figure out how much your priorities cost. For Jerry and Nicole, their monthly mortgage and health insurance premiums total $2100.

Determine your income and assets. Consider all sources of possible income such as regular monthly income from a job, part-time or occasional work, and interest investments. Knowing how much you have will help you determine how much to save and invest and how much, if any, you want to liquidate to be able to pay for your priorities.

Add up potential savings. Jerry and Nicole determine that they can make $8,500 by selling their second car and that they can save approximately $200 monthly by giving up a few things.

Compare and choose. Compare how much money you need and how much money you have. It may take a little tinkering around with, but keep at it to figure out what your bottom line is.

Get help. Many times you may be able to get your creditors to work with you if you're having trouble meeting your financial obligations. It can never hurt to ask what, if anything, your creditors can do for you.