If you can spend less than you make and put some aside in a savings account you will be in good shape. So make a monthly budget, include in the budget putting as much as you can in a saving account. If you can stick to your budget you are on your way to a better financial future.
The second action you need to take is to repair your credit. Get and review your credit report to make sure it is accurately reflecting the debts that were discharged in your bankruptcy. If creditors are still reporting discharged debts as open or late call or write them. You may have to provide documentation of the discharge of their debt. Be persistent, it may take two of three months and repeated phone calls or correspondence to get these debts reported correctly. Keep good records; including the date of your phone calls, the name of the person you speak with and what they said and keep copies of all correspondence.
Start rebuilding your credit. Pay all bills on time. This includes utilities, rent or mortgage payments and any debts not discharged in your chapter 7 bankruptcy. If possible pay a little more than the monthly minimum toward any outstanding loans.
Apply for a credit card. You may have to apply for a secured credit card because of the bankruptcy. The limits will be low but that is fine. Do not charge more on the card than you can pay off each month. Use the card for smaller purchases and pay it off each month. The purpose of the card is not to use for purchases you cannot afford to pay cash for it is to demonstrate you are financially responsible.
Do not be taken in by unscrupulous companies who offer low balance credit cards. Many of these come with high activation fees and membership fees that use up your credit limit before you even use the card. Check out late fee and over the limit fee policies. There are legitimate companies offering credit cards to those with a bankruptcy on their record. Use good judgment and take the time to check out the lenders offering credit cards.
If you follow these suggestions you should be able to rebuild your credit to the point you can obtain a mortgage or a car loan within two to three years after your bankruptcy. If your goal is a mortgage keep in mind that you will need to put up a down payment on the home you are trying to finance. Take the need for a down payment into account when establishing your savings goals.