Six ways to avoid being young and in debt

HOW TO SAVE IF YOU’RE ALREADY UNDER WATER.
The 83.1 million¹ Americans who make up the millennials—people born in the ’80s and ’90s—have faced the daunting task of entering the workforce during, or shortly following, the largest downturn since the Great Depression. Those lucky enough to find or keep jobs in a contracted market may have faced other hurdles—like paying down historically high levels of debt.

Roughly 69% of graduates leave college with student loan debt. In total, there are 45 million student loan borrowers that hold nearly $1.71 trillion in student loan debt.²

But, while millennials have bills to pay, most acknowledge that they also need to save, and many are anxious to get started. After all, some saw their parents struggle financially and lose ground with savings goals during the recession.

Here are some tips for keeping your head above water, and building a savings plan:

• KNOW WHAT YOU OWE.

Make a list of all your loans and their interest rates. Plan to pay off those with the highest interest rates, or those with variable rates that may increase, first. If you’re unemployed, you may be eligible to defer your loans for a period of time. And it’s better to ask the loan company about your options than to make assumptions or to default.

• BUILD YOUR CREDIT BY PAYING ON TIME.

Pay on time. This is a critically important factor in maintaining a good credit score. It is especially important if you’re planning to purchase a home, finance a car, or apply for a small-business loan in the future.

• CREATE AN EMERGENCY FUND.

After organizing your loan repayments, try to put aside a small amount every month for emergencies. It’s important to have cash at hand just in case.

• ENROLL IN YOUR 401(K) PLAN.

If your company offers a 401(k) savings plan, enroll. You don’t have to contribute the maximum, but if you don’t contribute at least enough to get the company’s match (if it offers one) you’re leaving money on the table.

• MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR AGE.

Save early, save often. Take advantage of the long-time horizon for your money to grow. You have decades ahead of you. Starting today means that you have time to weather ups and downs in the market, and you can take advantage of compounded interest. And, if you’re considering life insurance, it may be in your best interest to purchase while you're young and healthy.

• PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES.

If you pass away, your loved ones may be responsible for paying off your debt. You can protect them by purchasing group term life insurance through your professional association. Since the cost of life insurance is often highly overestimated, you may be surprised to see what the rates are. Ask us about how group term life insurance can provide options including features, costs, eligibility, renewability, and exclusions.