Financial Tips: CPA's Gift to College Graduates
Graduation
for millions of college students means it’s time to trade in books and
binders for bills and budgets. The California Society of CPAs (www.calcpa.org) provides the following advice to help college graduates become financially independent.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to moving back in with your parents after college. Some believe that it’s best to live independently. Others maintain that by living at home for a year or two and saving money, you can get a head start on a financially secure future. A lot depends on your circumstances, including whether you have any savings to use in setting up a new residence. If you have little to no financial resources, it’s best to stay at home and discipline yourself to save the money you will need to move out.
Learn how to budgetAs a student, you were probably used to living on the cheap. Once you have a job and a steady paycheck, you may be inclined to overspend. That’s why it is so important to create a budget to guide your saving and your spending patterns. There are plenty of personal finance books and Internet sites with advice on creating a budget that works for you.
Pay yourself firstGet in the habit of setting aside a specific amount of money each month for saving or investing. Don’t fall into the trap of paying everything else first, with the intent to save what’s left over. One effective strategy is to sign up to have funds automatically deducted from your paycheck or checking account and deposited into a savings or investment plan.
When you’re just starting out, the money you set aside each month should be earmarked for an emergency fund equal to roughly six months worth of living expenses. An emergency fund means you won’t have to resort to your credit card if your car needs major repairs or you lose your job. Keep emergency funds in a savings or money market account -- both are safe, liquid investments.
Get out of credit card debtMany
college graduates leave school with thousands of dollars in credit card
debt. If you’re one of them, follow a payment plan and pay off debt on
the highest interest rate cards first. Don’t fall into the trap of
paying only the minimum monthly amount due -- that strategy could cost
you a great deal in interest.
Remember: your diploma may be your ticket to a good job, but your
credit report is your ticket to borrowing money for a home or car.
Always pay your bills on time.
Be sure you understand the rules regarding student loan repayment and
the options for consolidating your loans. Consolidating several student
loans into one refinanced loan reduces your monthly payment and makes
debt repayment more manageable. But if you choose to extend your
repayment term, bear in mind that it will take longer to pay off your
loan balance and you'll pay more in total interest.
Retirement may be the furthest thing from your mind when you start
working, but saving even a small amount while you’re young can grow
into a sizeable nest egg. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan and
matches a percentage of the money you contribute, try to contribute at
least enough to take advantage of the match. If you don’t, you’ll be
throwing away free money. A traditional or Roth IRA (Individual
Retirement Account) is an alternative if your employer doesn’t offer a
401(k).
A meeting with a CPA is a great way to map out a long-term financial plan that will help you create a strong financial future.
In accordance with IRS Circular 230, the information on this website is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used as or considered a "covered opinion" or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for the purpose of avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code; promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or tax-related matter(s) addressed herein; for IRS audit, tax dispute or other purposes.
