Your twenties can be a tumultuous time. There are lots of transitions occurring, from graduating college to starting your first adult job and maybe even getting married. And through the midst of it all, you may also be learning how to manage money, or even working on debt management. Although our career and life paths may differ, we should all strive to reach these five financial goals before the age of thirty.
What are your financial goals? Getting out of debt?
5 Financial Goals Before You’re 30
- Good Financial Habits. Before you can tackle other goals on this list, you must learn good financial habits. Just like a strong work ethic, consistently practice good financial habits. Such habits include maintaining a good credit score, following your monthly budget, and building an emergency fund, among others. It will be crucial to developing these habits during such a fundamental time. That way, you can better manage your finances as you get older.
- Get Out of Debt. You may not be able to eliminate all of your student loans by the time you’re 30, but you may be able to get rid of credit card debt you accumulated while in school. This will allow you to pave the way to start saving for things like a new car or home. Get out of debt by starting a debt management program with an approved credit counseling agency, such as American Consumer Credit Counseling.
- Focus on Your Career. During your twenties, you should focus on making a name for yourself in your chosen industry. This is also the perfect time to explore all your career-related options and make connections. Work hard and build a good reputation; this will serve you in the future.
- Save for Retirement. It’s important that Millennials contribute at least six percent of their salary to a 401(k) plan (you should work your way up to 12-15%, though). You can even start with an IRA if your employer does not offer a company match. This will ensure you’ll have enough money to retire comfortably and not worry as much later down the line.
- Save for a Home. Although you may not be thinking of buying a home until your mid-thirties, it’s still important to start saving for when the moment does come. By saving for a down payment, you will be better able to qualify for a mortgage. You will also be better able to find the right home that you want.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
