What is the first step to improving my finances?

The single most impactful first step is knowing your actual numbers: what you earn, what you spend, and what you owe. Spend one week logging every transaction, then compare spending against income. Most people are shocked by the result. From there, prioritize: (1) build a $1,000 starter emergency fund, (2) stop adding new high-interest debt, (3) capture your full 401k match. These three steps alone create enormous financial momentum.