| It's not always easy to get onto the path of financial | | | | long-term and start a savings account that will cover |
| success when making the transition from college to | | | | your basic expenses for at least three months. Try |
| the workforce. You'd think that since you aren't | | | | saving just 5% of your paycheck when starting out |
| racking up school expenses any more and are earning | | | | and try to increase that to 10% when you feel |
| full-time money at your job, that your financial woes | | | | comfortable. It's never too early to be disciplined with |
| would be over. Many young adults find themselves | | | | your money and to save for your future. If you think |
| facing huge financial challenges, especially in this | | | | times are rough now, imagine what would happen if |
| economy. If you're lucky enough to find a job, and a | | | | you lost your job. You have to have a back up plan. |
| well-paying one that you went to school for, you | | | | Get yourself some insurance. You'll not only want to |
| should still follow these basic rules for financial | | | | cover yourself with health insurance, but you'll also |
| security: | | | | want to get disability insurance too (that's the kind |
| Say no to consumer credit. When starting out new | | | | with the screaming duck you see on TV). While |
| to the real world you'll probably have to start from | | | | you're young and healthy now, illness and accidents |
| scratch. This means that you'll need furniture, a | | | | can happen at any age and at any time so you'll |
| television, and all the kitchen utensils you can imagine. | | | | want to make sure you don't get bottom up when it |
| It can all add up pretty fast, and it all seems like | | | | does. |
| things you can't go without. Stores recognize this | | | | Never stop learning. You may be fresh out of college |
| gotta have it now mentality and will make it really | | | | but there's a whole heap of stuff they didn't teach |
| easy to get those things on credit. You'll find that | | | | you. It's more important now than ever before to |
| you can get by in the short term without these | | | | keep your education going and your mind growing. If |
| items, and you can pay for them with cash as you | | | | you aren't learning and growing you will just get old |
| save up for them or as you really need them. Resist | | | | and your usefulness will eventually dry up. Next thing |
| the urge to deck your place out completely by using | | | | you know you'll be replaced by some kid fresh out |
| credit. | | | | of college! Take continuing education courses related |
| Make it the norm to save and invest. Start the habit | | | | to your job so you don't have to worry about being |
| of paying yourself first. Start buying stocks for the | | | | replaced. |