You're early. That's your superpower.
Time + compounding is the most valuable asset you have right now. $50/month into a Roth IRA from age 19 outpaces $500/month starting at 35. Here's how to use the next 4–6 years.
Your priorities, in order
Open a Roth IRA the day you have W-2 income
Even $25/month into a low-cost index fund (VTI, VOO) inside a Roth IRA. Decades of tax-free growth — the IRS will never touch it.
Build credit without falling into debt
A no-fee student credit card, $20/month auto-charge, paid in full automatically. 5 years of perfect history beats any "credit-builder" gimmick.
Understand your student loans before signing
Federal subsidized > federal unsubsidized > federal PLUS > private. Cap borrowing at expected first-year salary. Avoid private loans where possible.
Starter emergency fund: $500–$1,000
In a high-yield savings account, separate from checking. Covers most single-event emergencies without going into credit card debt.
Calculators built for this stage
Recommended reading
Frequently asked questions
I have $200 a month — Roth IRA or pay loans faster?
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Should I get a credit card as a student?
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