Financial Planning for the Savvy Young individual

Often young, entry level individuals have difficulty in managing their new job, personal life and new financial position. They may have a good job but with debt from school and the cost to set up a comfortable living environment, there seems little left to put away to provide the financial future that is wanted and needed. The first most important step in successful money management is to have the proper mindset in how you view and therefore handle your finances.

Remember this, with every dollar that goes through your hands there are three places it needs to go, not necessarily in equal thirds, but in three places. #1 Pay your bills – or you may not have your freedom for long. #2 spend some – if you save it all ‘till later and don’t live to enjoy it, what good would that be? #3 save some – to cover the larger ticket items that the weekly paycheck won’t cover and so that someday you won’t have to work anymore. The problem with many people today is that we do pay our bills, which is a good thing, but we spend some and save what’s left, and that is backward. You should be saving first and then spend what’s left.

Having a long-term vision for your future rather than living for today is also a critical factor for success.