How do I create a save game feature for a game?

I would wanna know how to create a save game feature available in a flash game . Do I need to use XML intergration or can I just use a txt ?

How do I make flash enter the variables instead of the player to create the save game himself by creating a text file ? (means that flash creates the txt or XML its self) .

And I would , too , wanna know how to make flash read the specific text file and load up the game according to the variables included in it . (Like , the time saved , amount of money in game , the items the players had acquired in game etc.)

Im not making a multiplayer game , I’m making a single player game instead . I hope you all could provide information regarding on this topic .

Im new here so please forgive me if I posted this on the wrong section .

Thanks in advance .