06/02/2026
Your 20s can feel like a lot of firsts: first full-time job, first benefits package, first student loan payment. It’s also a great time to start building habits that can impact your lifetime financial wellness.
Here are a few areas to focus on:
• Open checking and savings accounts
• Build a budget you can stick with
• Start an emergency fund with three to six months of living expenses
• Enroll in your company’s 401(k) plan and contribute at least the minimum needed to qualify for the full employer match
• Begin paying down debt like credit cards or student loans
• Check your credit report and correct any errors
• Consider purchasing life insurance and disability income insurance to lock in a lower rate
You don’t have to have it all figured out. Getting started is the win.