Before you go out and get a home mortgage loan, it is a good idea to do what you can to improve your financial life. Interestingly, there are a number of tasks you can do that will help you get on the right track to better personal finances. Many of them only take 5 minutes. Fiscal Fizzle has 15 things you can do to improve your financial life. My favorite 5 from this list include:

1. Draw a financial flow chart: This is useful because it will help you get a visual on where your money is coming from, and where it is going. Understanding your cash flow is vital to figuring out how to afford a home mortgage loan.

2. Set up automatic transfers: Do what you can to automate your savings. Whether it is taking a set amount from your checking account and moving it to your savings once a month, or whether it is getting the money taken directly from your paycheck and put into savings, set it up to happen automatically. Another thing you can do is set up an automatic transfer for a down payment account to save up to buy a home.

3. Start a financial journal: Keep track of what you are doing with your finances — and the feelings you are having. How do you feel after you buy something? How do you feel after making a large debt payment? Sort out your finances and your feelings about money.

4. Think about quick savings: Take a few minutes to think of small or quick things you can do to save a little money. Automating your thermostat, taking a bag lunch and other steps can help you improve your spending habits and save money.

5. Do a wallet check: Figure out what is in your wallet. Too much information? Would it be an ID fraudster’s dream? Make sure that you remove non-essentials. You can also do a credit card survey while you are at it.

What sorts of things would you do to help improve your financial life?