Starting Your Financial Life
You want to live your life on your terms, now and 40 years from now.
Just a few informed decisions can help lead to a lifetime of greater security and financial well-being.
Here, you’ll find knowledge to help you make those decisions with confidence.
Personal Stories
Hear what some real people did to make their financial goals a reality
-
If You Save It, It Will Grow: Building a 5-Figure Savings
What does it take to build a 5-Figure Savings Account? These people did it, and they’ve got some insight on what worked for them.
-
A Place of Your Own: Living On Your Own for the First Time
Living on your own for the first time can be a defining financial milestone. Here’s some advice from people who struck out on their own.
-
How I Paid Off My Student Loans
The thought of paying off student loan debt can be a little daunting. Meet some people who have finished paying off their student loans, with a few practical tips on how they did it.
Get Informed
Unsure how to make your financial goals a reality? These videos will help you along the way
-
Great Investments for Young People
How should you invest your money when you’re just starting your career? Here are a few places you might want to consider.
-
What is a Financial Advisor? Do I Need One?
Even if you don’t need a financial advisor right now, some day you might. Here’s a simple breakdown of what they do and how they can help.
-
Saving and Investing: What’s the Difference?
Even if you’re saving your money, it doesn’t mean you’re investing it. Learn the difference, and find out how to make your money work for you.
-
Where’s The Rest of My Paycheck?!
One of the keys to managing your money is understanding where it goes. This video looks at your paycheck: what goes into it, and what all gets taken out.
-
Should I Consolidate My Student Loans?
Thinking of consolidating your student loans? Here are some important things you might want to consider.
-
THIS JUST IN: “Budget” is NOT a Four Letter Word
A good budget can take you a long way towards financial well-being — if you stick to it. Here are some helpful ways to make sure that you keep to your budget.
-
What is a Financial Portfolio? How Do I Get One?
Understanding your portfolio is an important part of meeting your financial goals. So what’s a portfolio? We break it down for you.
-
The Secret to Effortlessly Grow Your Savings Account
Savings automation is a simple and effective way to build up the balance in your bank account. These tips can help you set the process in motion.
Sound Advice
Get closer to your financial goals with these tips
-
A Financial Checklist for Newlyweds
Getting married is one of the most exciting periods of your life…and sure to bring about myriad financial changes. Here are five items for you and your spouse to take care of after tying the knot.
-
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: How to Know the Difference
It’s important to understand the different types of consumer debt. We breakdown some “good” and “bad” types of debt – and why experts may classify them these ways.
-
5 Ways to Lower Your Debt
By now, you are probably aware of the fact that Americans love to acquire debt. Whether it’s credit card, student loan or even a mortgage, there’s no getting around the fact that there are a lot of people in debt.
-
5 Practical Ways to Repay Your Student Loans
Carrying student loan debt doesn’t have to be a burden when you create a realistic payoff plan. Here are five practical ways to pay off your student loans.
-
How Freelancers Save for Retirement
Freelancing comes with a variety of perks: Earning extra money, working in your pajamas, as well as special options available to you when it comes time to save for retirement that 9-to-5ers can’t always use.
-
How to Start Saving for Retirement
Your retirement years may seem like a long way off, but it’s never too early to start saving for retirement. Here are some things you can do in your 20s and 30s to set yourself up for a comfortable retirement.
-
Moving In Together? Personal Finance Tips for Couples
Decided to move in with your significant other? You’ll want to talk about money – and negotiate how your joint finances will be handled – before it becomes a problem.
-
3 Tips for Young Women: How to Maximize Your Early Career Years
Wondering how to make the most of your early career years? Here are three pearls of financial wisdom to go along with your best power suit.
-
How do Savings Accounts Work?
You’re probably already familiar with how a checking account works, but if you’re looking for ways to save for the future, a savings account could be the missing piece you need.
-
How to Negotiate Your Monthly Bills
Even though most of us now receive our monthly bills virtually, they still hurt our non-virtual wallets just as much. But it doesn’t have to hurt quite so bad if you’re smart about negotiating your bills.
-
How Much of My Income Should I Save Every Month?
Your ideal savings rate depends on your specific, long-term reasons for saving. So, what are your goals?
-
The Top 10 Mistakes Millennials Make With Their Money
Let’s admit it: none of us are perfect at managing money. But our youthful financial decisions shape our lives more than we realize. Here are the top ten mistakes that people in their 20s make with money.
-
How to Get Health Care Tax Free
Taxes take a big bite out of everyone’s paycheck and one of the best ways for young professionals to offset those taxes is to contribute to a health savings account (HSA).
-
5 Ways to Find More Money Every Month
Money – there just never seems to be enough of it at the end of the month. With some simple strategies and a couple extra hours a week, you can actually significantly boost your cash flow.
-
How to Start an Emergency Fund
Life can throw us unpleasant surprises. A sudden job loss or a costly trip to the ER may be no match for even the best planned budget. Prepare yourself for these potential budget busters with an Emergency Fund.
-
Should I Add to Retirement Savings or Pay Off Debt?
For most of us, the thought of paying back our student loans can be a little daunting, especially when we’re fresh out of school and our salaries aren’t as high as we’d like them to be.
-
A Financial Checklist for Newlyweds
Getting married is one of the most exciting periods of your life…and sure to bring about myriad financial changes. Here are five items for you and your spouse to take care of after tying the knot.
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: How to Know the Difference
It’s important to understand the different types of consumer debt. We breakdown some “good” and “bad” types of debt – and why experts may classify them these ways.
5 Ways to Lower Your Debt
By now, you are probably aware of the fact that Americans love to acquire debt. Whether it’s credit card, student loan or even a mortgage, there’s no getting around the fact that there are a lot of people in debt.
-
5 Practical Ways to Repay Your Student Loans
Carrying student loan debt doesn’t have to be a burden when you create a realistic payoff plan. Here are five practical ways to pay off your student loans.
How Freelancers Save for Retirement
Freelancing comes with a variety of perks: Earning extra money, working in your pajamas, as well as special options available to you when it comes time to save for retirement that 9-to-5ers can’t always use.
How to Start Saving for Retirement
Your retirement years may seem like a long way off, but it’s never too early to start saving for retirement. Here are some things you can do in your 20s and 30s to set yourself up for a comfortable retirement.
-
Moving In Together? Personal Finance Tips for Couples
Decided to move in with your significant other? You’ll want to talk about money – and negotiate how your joint finances will be handled – before it becomes a problem.
3 Tips for Young Women: How to Maximize Your Early Career Years
Wondering how to make the most of your early career years? Here are three pearls of financial wisdom to go along with your best power suit.
How do Savings Accounts Work?
You’re probably already familiar with how a checking account works, but if you’re looking for ways to save for the future, a savings account could be the missing piece you need.
-
How to Negotiate Your Monthly Bills
Even though most of us now receive our monthly bills virtually, they still hurt our non-virtual wallets just as much. But it doesn’t have to hurt quite so bad if you’re smart about negotiating your bills.
How Much of My Income Should I Save Every Month?
Your ideal savings rate depends on your specific, long-term reasons for saving. So, what are your goals?
The Top 10 Mistakes Millennials Make With Their Money
Let’s admit it: none of us are perfect at managing money. But our youthful financial decisions shape our lives more than we realize. Here are the top ten mistakes that people in their 20s make with money.
-
How to Get Health Care Tax Free
Taxes take a big bite out of everyone’s paycheck and one of the best ways for young professionals to offset those taxes is to contribute to a health savings account (HSA).
5 Ways to Find More Money Every Month
Money – there just never seems to be enough of it at the end of the month. With some simple strategies and a couple extra hours a week, you can actually significantly boost your cash flow.
How to Start an Emergency Fund
Life can throw us unpleasant surprises. A sudden job loss or a costly trip to the ER may be no match for even the best planned budget. Prepare yourself for these potential budget busters with an Emergency Fund.
-
Should I Add to Retirement Savings or Pay Off Debt?
For most of us, the thought of paying back our student loans can be a little daunting, especially when we’re fresh out of school and our salaries aren’t as high as we’d like them to be.
About TIAA-CREF
TIAA-CREF is a financial services company founded with a commitment to serving those who serve others. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been supporting the financial needs of those in the academic, medical, cultural, governmental, and research fields.
We understand that financial well-being can mean different things to different people. Whether that means a secure future, confident decisions, the freedom to change your life’s direction, or simply less worry and more living, we’re here to help you reach your financial goals.
The pursuit of those goals is a lifelong journey, and when you’re just starting out, you’ll have a number of distinct concerns. We want to give you the knowledge you need to help address those concerns and take the first steps on that journey with confidence.
