Is there a word for “carefully planning your future” or “treading carefully”?

Question

I want a small word, if possible. Words from other languages or old English will also suffice. Can someone help me with this?

Answer 1

Prudent is explicitly about planning ahead:

Oxford dictionary:

prudent adjective

Acting with or showing care and thought for the future. ‘no prudent money manager would authorize a loan without first knowing its purpose’

Origin

Late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin prudent-, contraction of provident- ‘foreseeing, attending to’ (see provident).

Provident is even more related to acting ahead, but refers less to being careful:

provident adjective

Making or indicative of timely preparation for the future. ‘she had learned to be provident’

Circumspect could also do.

Answer 2

gingerly TFD

adv. With great care or delicacy; cautiously. adj. Cautious; careful: with a gingerly step.

As in:

You must step gingerly if you want a risk-free life.