Where to Start

The biggest challenge for many young professionals is managing their personal finances.  At times, it can be difficult to make responsible financial choices.  There are houses to be bought, weddings to celebrate, trips to take, and cars to buy.  Coworkers, friends, and classmates all seem to be spending freely, and we can't let ourselves fall behind.  Our generation is accustomed to a certain kind of lifestyle; many of our parents were able to work hard and have a comfortable standard of living.  Because they were able to provide us with many things they didn't have themselves, we automatically have a higher expectation.

Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that the economy has changed dramatically.  Money isn't quite as "easy" to earn, the cost of living is higher, jobs aren't easy to find.  And the biggest hurdle of all?  Student loan debt.

An incredible number of young people graduate with student loans.  According to the Huffington Post, the national total of outstanding student loan debt is between $986 billion and $1.1 trillion.  It's the highest category of debt other than home loans, surpassing auto loans and credit cards.  In Missouri, the average amount of student debt was $23,229 in 2011.  In Kansas, the average was $23,321 for the same year.  And that's just for a four-year degree; professional or graduate students will amass considerably more.

What are you going to do about it?  How can you get ahead?  The answer is simple: SAVE.  Saving doesn't always have to be on a big scale; the small things add up.  Finding ways to cut costs, invest, and make extra money can make a big difference.

savvyKC is the young professional's guide to being smart with money.  This is your source for all things financial... you'll find ways to save money and plan ahead, but still live a sophisticated, career-minded lifestyle.

Let's get savvy, KC.