TIPS FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES

College graduation is one of the most important milestones in a person’s life. Graduation signifies an end, but it also signifies a new life beginning. There is now a whole new world, the adult world, to explore. To make the most of this change, here are a handful of financial, professional, and general tips.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

College forces us to have routines. Take that away and you end up spending every evening watching Netflix on the couch.

• Stick to a balanced diet meal plan
• Prepare your own meals instead of ordering out all the time
• Check the packaged foods you eat (how processed are those foods?)

DON’T STOP LEARNING

While it may seem that college is filled with new experiences and classes, a lot of your growing as a person will occur out in the world around you. Here are a few ways to continue learning outside of school:

• Learn a new language
• Find a new hobby
• Volunteer for nonprofits or programs
• Get your certification in a career-related topic
• Watch documentaries or series
• Take a free online course (ex. YouTube or LinkedIn learning)
• Join an industry group or network

Here’s a handy industry lingo cheat sheet from gradspot.com to get you started on learning!

MOVE FORWARD AND SHOW UP

Ignore all the questions you or those around you have about the future, just keep moving forward. You don’t have to figure everything out immediately; you just have to keep showing up every day.

• Be comfortable being uncomfortable
• Be kind to yourself
• Be patient
• Don’t limit your future to your degree or your skills

REACHING FINANCIAL GOALS

Between student loans, bills, rent, or whatever else that relies on your bank account it can be overwhelming to learn how to be financially independent.

LET’S START WITH YOUR STUDENT LOAN:

• Know how much you owe in total, each month, and your interest rate
• Pick a repayment plan that best suits you and your budget
• Stick to a budget with concrete financial goals
• Prioritize loan payments
• Remember the value of your education instead of focusing on the loss of funds each month

SOME GENERAL GOOD FINANCIAL TIPS ARE:

• Track your money in one place no matter how much you may or may not have
• Even mobile apps like Personal Capital™ or Mint™ can help you
• Save at least 20-25% of your paycheck (feel free to spend the rest)
• Minimize your biggest expenses (food, commuting, and housing)
• Put as much into your 401k as possible
• Start investing even if it seems scary
• Diversify your income by freelancing or side jobs

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME RENTERS

• Have a budget based on the location
• Make sure to not spend over 30% of your annual income on housing costs
• Websites like Rentometer.com and rentjungle.com can help you find the average rent in targeted areas
• Remember you are responsible for some, if not all, utilities on top of rent
• Have your references and money ready
• The renter’s market is very competitive so make sure you make a good impression with a landlord by being committed and ready to rent
• Scope out the neighborhood and make sure everything you need is nearby or near public transportation
• Do a thorough walkthrough: make sure everything works and document any pre-existing issues
• Get everything in writing and make sure the lease answers all your possible questions

Watch the video above for a list of career networking tips!

Finally, we’d be remiss to not mention insurance. We invite you to contact us either on our website or by phone, so we can help you understand insurance that you need and answer any questions that you have.

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