I'm interested to learn more

[joel123]

Young adults have some particular challenges. There has been quite a bit of press coverage highlighting student debt, the job market & the nature of todays employment, healthcare,...to name just a few of the issues. This generation is also likely to bear a significant burden due to the nation's budget deficits and looming Social Security and Medicare crises.

I'm truly interested to hear more from young adults. I hope this forum will be a venue for different age groups to gather and learn from one another.

[bdow]

Dear Joel123,
Although I'm hardly young (53 and proud of it) I hope you and others will let me "hang out" with you from time to time. Indeed, I am very interested in young adults (who I typically define as 25-40) and how they handle their money. Most people don't start examining their money life until they are in their 50's presumably with retirement or redirection on the horizon. Unfortunately, if they haven't done the "right things" up to that point, their most cherished goals may simply be unattainable. However, if one starts early in life to establish goals and develop effective money strategies (saving, spending wisely) almost anything is possible. Best of all, if you work on establishing goals early in life (knowing that flexibility is a must), one is much more likely to live a rewarding life. Money is the tool one uses to create wealth. True wealth is much more comprehensive than just a large bank/brokerage account.

Your age group faces many money hurtles: ever available credit, 24 hour shopping in stores or online, a media that is determined to define success for you in terms of "things", and as you mentioned, the woeful state of our country's long-term finances. I wish you all the best.......