Several years ago, I wrote a series of articles likening personal finance to baking an apple pie. The idea was simple: Just as a great pie requires the right ingredients in the right proportions, so does a solid financial plan. Each piece plays a crucial role in achieving long-term financial security: spending wisely , protecting what matters, using debt responsibly, saving for emergencies and retirement, having essential legal documents and keeping a plan up to date. This past holiday season,