You may think you're too young to think about retirement, especially if you just graduated and are heading into your first entry level position, but it is never too early to prepare. With social security dwindling due to the baby boomers retiring, establishing financial security early is ideal. Managing your personal finances is key to being able to retire after 30 years of hard work.

Analyze your debt. Calculate your balance on credit cards and take into account your student loans.
Account for your bills. Whether you're buying, renting, or leasing a car, apartment, or home, these will be crucial. Be sure if you're in the market for any of these things that you are comfortable making payments regularly.
Secure regular income. With this economy, job security is a major issue. Your income will play a huge role in preparation for your retirement. Steady income will help you in your financial planning.


Here's a break down of where your money should be going:

• 50% of your check should go towards bills such as your mortgage/rent, car note, utilities, etc.
• 20% of your money should be used to take care of your debt from credit cards and student loans.
• 15%, divided in half for retirement and a savings/emergency fund, is recommended.
• The other 15% is available for your disposable income.
• If this plan is followed consistently for 30 years or more, you will have a nice nest egg to retire on, without even including pension or a 401K.

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The opportunity to enjoy life and to be financially free is for everyone to experience at every age. But how do you begin to excel at something you don’t understand? Do it in the same way you do now--learn, take action and keep the momentum going.

How do you prepare for your financial future? The answer is easy: it’s done the same way in which you began your college career and how you will find your dream job: by becoming informed and taking action. Begin with assembling helpful resources, leverage your network and then invest in your future. This month we’ll focus on what perspective you must have in order to craft a financially successful life.

First, why are you in college? Most students attend school in order to prepare for a life doing something they love. And why do we work? To leave a legacy, to enjoy ourselves and to earn money. Money allows us to afford opportunity.

With finances, it’s easy to rob ourselves of opportunity by making the wrong decisions, delaying action and not leveraging our resources. There’s something very critical that’s coming down the pipeline: two thirds of Baby Boomers don’t have enough time left to be able to save up enough to retire. That’s two out of three of your or your friend’s grandparents! Why is that? The high numbers almost don’t make any sense. They had the same tools available to them as you do today.

One answer to this issue is that many Baby Boomers didn’t start contributing to their retirement early enough to allow compounded interest to work in their favor. But it can for you. You’ve got the benefit of many years ahead of you to create financial sustainability for your future self. The sooner you start, the more time the compounded interest has to accrue. Though retirement might seem as far away as the moon, it's closer than you think. We need to shift the paradigm about when is the right time to start saving for the future. It’s easy to think that retiring is for elders and since you’re not “old” it’s not for you to consider at this time in your life...except it is. Start early and leverage your time to your advantage.

Retirement is for everyone. We all face it and we all should be planning for it as soon as we start working.

Whichever life path you choose, I guarantee you, your career ends best when you are financially free and empowered!

By Onna Young

Hello everyone! 2010 is upon us; it's not only a new year, but a new decade. Looking back, it has been quite an interesting one. 2009 itself was a massive learning experience. This past year has opened my eyes to many things, but especially to live more sustainably.

Some college students feel as if they can't live a sustainable and frugal life without having to sacrifice their lifestyle. I'm here to tell you that's not the case. I'll be giving you tips on how to save money, go green, survive college, and reduce your impact on the environment.

Here are a few simple things we can do to make a drastic change in 2010:

• Do not print your e-mails: Most college students don't; the less evidence, the better. A lot of us only use our e-mail accounts for school, internships, or work. This goes for assignments as well. Try not to bring a paper copy of your assignments to class unless it's absolutely necessary. The trees will thank you.
  
• Download green iPhone apps: One that will help you track your carbon footprint is Carbon Tracker (obviously). Other good ones that will help you on your way to greatness are
• Bank of America: mobile banking
• Pizza Hut: order your food right where you are
• Chipotle: who doesn't want their burrito ready when they get there?
• iFlip: a flashcard application for $5 that will save you many index cards
  
• Pay your bills online: Save a stamp (aren't they $0.42 now?), an envelope, and some time.
  
• Do your shopping online: This is some advice I wish I would've taken this holiday season. Avoid the lines, you get a greater variety (sometimes), and you save gas. Only downside: you can't try on the clothes, so for those sale items, I suggest you go ahead and make the trip.
  
• Clickbee.net is a website where you can get cash back on your purchases. Doesn't hurt to try.
  
• Turn off your lights: When you leave a room, turn the light off, even if you're coming right back, but especially if you're not. Your energy bill will thank you, which in turn will have you thanking yourself.
  
• Limit your showers: Sure it might feel swell, but you really only need a 5 minute shower to hit all the basics and crevices. Make it a challenge with your friends to motivate you even more.
  
• Share a ride: I cannot emphasize it enough: carpool, carpool, carpool. I know you have friends who go to the same places you go. School, work, movies, etc. Take the trip together.