First and foremost, congratulations to the class of 2018! You have now entered an exciting period of your life where you can follow your passion out in the “real” world. Now is also the time, however, where you have to start thinking about your career, a place to live permanently, and paying off your student loans. When it comes to your student loans you typically have a grace period of 6 months after graduation until you have to start repaying. You should, however, start making a game plan. Here are some tips to help you get started:

There is a misconception that investing is only for those who can afford it. The reality is, however, anyone can invest! Yes, you read that correctly. Start growing your money with these guidelines:

1. Pay off Your Debt

If you have debts continuously collecting interest, it will be hard to make a net profit through investing. Paying off all your debt is a great investment. Sure, it isn’t as exciting as watching your investments grow, but having a lot of debt will be a large barrier to making money. Click here for tips on easy ways to spend less!

By 25 years old, you should have some grasp of how to take care of your finances as you begin your career.

You should know:

1. The three basics of a solid financial foundation:

Credit card debt paid off, emergency fund stocked up, and retirement account(s) in existence and growing. Everything else (travel, homeownership, investments) should come after.

2. How to create a budget. 

Because without one, you may not reach any of your goals, like buying a home, paying off your credit card debt or traveling the world. 

Saving on the products and services you need and use every day is easy with Love My Credit Union Rewards. As a member of USC Credit Union, you can get discounts and rewards that include:

The journey to financial wellness is one filled with all sorts of new discoveries. Once you commit to turning your financial life around, you’ll discover more about yourself, such as your true needs and wants. You’ll also figure out some interesting and simple cost-saving strategies—or personal financial hacks—that you can carry with you for life. Here are some of our favorite things you can do to improve your financial life and save money.

Improving your credit score is imperative for saving money because it allows you to qualify for larger loans and better interest rates. Though your credit score may seem like some mysterious beast you have no control over, you can actually improve it with some small lifestyle changes.

You may not even know what an IRA (individual retirement account) is. That’s okay. We are here to help the confusing become understandable!

It is smart to invest your tax return money. When we say invest, we do not mean to invest in your vacation plans. Though it may be tempting to see tax return as free vacation money, it might be wiser to save it, pay down debt, or invest for your future.

Buying a home can be an exciting milestone in your life, and it’s important to educate yourself on the financial implications of homeownership before you make an offer. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a current owner looking to sell or refinance, there are a few key questions that should help guide your decision:

We know tax preparation isn’t fun, but, unfortunately, it’s necessary. Though it may seem like an inconvenience, filing your taxes correctly can sometimes give you a nice return. You may be reluctant to begin because of the confusion on where to start or what information is necessary. We are here, however, to simplify taxes for you so the task can seem less daunting.

What are income tax returns?

Income tax returns are documents that are used to evaluate whether you owe any taxes this year or if you are eligible for a tax refund. Taxes are calculated based on your total income minus any deductions you are eligible for.