7 Financial Tips Every College Kid Needs To Know So You Won’t Be A Poor

money-suit

Most kids these days are completely illiterate when it comes to finances. The secret to wealth and the tragedy of youth depends on how early you start investing. If you aren’t already making moves in the market, you’re missing out big time.

I know you’re probably too busy getting fucked up and fucking to really care about shit like retirement, but it’s insanely important. The earlier you start, the better off you’ll be down the line, so shut the fuck up and listen.

1. Learn about compounding interest.

That shit is the name of the game. When you’re in your early 20s, every dollar you invest multiplies exponentially over time. If you wait too long to start investing, you’ll miss out on tens of thousands of dollars that you could use to hire a hot Hispanic maid to change your diapers and powder your balls when you’re too old to give a shit about what the hell’s going on.

2. You don’t need to be a genius; just get your money in as soon as you can.

Financial literacy takes time. There’s a lot of nerd shit you need to learn and no matter how much you think you know, you’re dumb as fuck. You’re in college. Accept that you have virtually no real world experience and you’re at the mercy of the giant gaping asshole of the economy that you live inside of.

3. Get a goddamn part time job if you don’t have one.

It doesn’t matter if you write for TFM or suck massive Uber dong in your car. You need a real paycheck to prove to the IRS that you’re not a drug dealer. If you get cash under the table, don’t put it in the bank and leave a fucking paper trail. That’s how they got Capone.

4. Set aside 10 percent of EVERYTHING you earn.

If you start doing that now, that’s all you’ll need to retire comfortably. If you wait until you’re 30 to start saving, you’ll need to save at least 20-25 percent. If you wait until you’re 40, you’ll need to save 40-50 percent. See the pattern? Start young and be a goddamn boss.

5. Get a credit card ASAP.

If you don’t have any credit history, you’ll need to start building it immediately. You probably won’t be able to get anything better than a secured card with a $500 limit. Don’t worry, that shit builds up over time as long as you’re not an irresponsible retard with credit. Your credit score is the criterion that banks, creditors, and landlords use to gauge your worthiness as a human being. Never use more than 20% of your total credit limit and PAY THAT SHIT OFF IN FULL EVERY FUCKING MONTH. If you fail to use a credit card responsibly, it will rape you, not help.

6. Learn about Roth IRAs

One of the last great tax havens left for those trying to accumulate wealth over the long haul. An index fund in the S&P500 will make more money for you over time than any asshole wealth manager guru could ever dream of. The large majority of fund managers can’t beat the market in the long run, so don’t let them pilfer your life savings with fees designed to extort money from idiots.

7. Get the fuck out of debt as soon as you can.

Many of you are piling on massive debt to afford your “education.” It’s not a bad thing. Just know your position in the pecking order. Debt makes money for people who are richer than you. You make people rich by being in debt. Don’t be an asshole and bleed to death before you can build your own nest egg.

Don’t believe anyone who says that money isn’t everything. Money is the collective scoreboard everyone uses to figure out how valuable you are to society. If you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up, make some fucking money in the mean time and invest it. Then at least you’ve got a security blanket to wrap yourself up in while you figure your shit out under the overpass. Don’t be poor and lost. Don’t be on the wrong side of the class war. Make some paper and take your time. Accumulating wealth isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon.

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Image via Shinesty

  1. Hoosier_SNU

    Actually well (sort of) thought out. I would recommend reading the intelligent investor as well.

    8 years ago at 12:01 pm
  2. Big Dumb Idiot

    Most major banks have a credit card designed for students. Wells Fargo has a 6 month interest free, cash rewards card that basically any student can apply for.

    8 years ago at 12:04 pm
      1. Big Dumb Idiot

        As far as I can tell, that stuff happened several years ago and was just located in a few counties in California. No large corporation is immune from iffy sales ethics. But you can go through your parents financial advisor to get the card if you don’t feel comfortable with one of their regular bankers.

        8 years ago at 12:39 pm
  3. MuffMcFluff

    Vanguard Large Cap ETF. Ticker: VV… Put your savings into it and don’t look at it till you need to put a down payment on your first house and you’ll be buying a bigger house than you expected you would be.

    8 years ago at 12:16 pm
  4. VandyConservative

    If you don’t need credit asap (read: won’t be renting an apartment in college without a guarantor), get a couple of credit cards. Age of established lines of credit do wonders for a score that is going to matter a lot sooner than you think.
    Also, seriously, save at least a few grand if you can afford to. Still enjoy college though because fuck being the kid with a fat bank account that doesn’t spend too much of it on booze

    8 years ago at 12:22 pm
    1. JakeFromState

      I didn’t need a credit card due to my parents help, but we did get one set up for myself and all I used it for was my Xbox subscription. It was automatically paid at the end of every month, and allowed me to start establishing a credit line. Something I highly encourage people to do if they haven’t. Because banks won’t loan you money if you haven’t had a credit line for 3 years or something.

      8 years ago at 1:15 pm
    2. trellow

      I agree that establishing good credit is not a bad thing. However, having no credit is not a bad thing. Having no credit shows that you either paid for everything with savings, or have had no need to borrow money. No credit, supplemented with a steady job and some savings is more than enough to qualify for a mortgage or car loan. So do not feel pressured to open a credit card, just to boost your credit score, as this is common. Also, spend within your limits people.

      8 years ago at 4:46 pm
      1. VandyConservative

        You have to have a shit ton in savings to get a mortgage with no credit history. It’s going to get easier with Trended Credit Data rolling out, but absolutely not a guarantee of a good loan. I’m not saying go get a giant line of credit. But if you use it for random expenses and pay it every month credit is a tried and true method

        8 years ago at 4:52 pm
      2. trellow

        If you are paying your credit card bill in full and on time, then using credit cards to build credit is a useful way to qualify for future loans. That’s probably practical for a number of people. However, if you choose not to build your credit that way you will might* be able to qualify for a loan. You will have to show about 1 -2 years of regular monthly payments for a few different sources(rent, phone, utilities.. etc) but it is easier than perceived. Just providing an alternative for those who argue that it is absolutely necessary to open a credit card.

        8 years ago at 5:57 pm
    1. TheGreatCornholio

      C’mon man, don’t lump Philosophy and English in with that nonsense. I was a philosophy major at a private liberal arts college and just recently got into UVA law. My big brother studied English and is an associate editor for North American Whitetail. Those majors can be useful when applied properly.

      8 years ago at 10:07 am
  5. TossMeABronson

    The easiest way to do it and have “good credit” is not with credit cards, but taking out a couple semesters of student loans during your freshman year. (Then actually paying them back and on time). If you have make payments while you’re finishing school by getting a PT job, you will have actual “good credit” history. Not only will this make your life easier when trying to rent your first real apartment (after graduation), but applying for a mortgage or even getting an actual decent job will be easier with good credit.

    8 years ago at 12:39 pm
    1. VandyConservative

      You need existing lines of credit though. And considering you don’t have to pay the interest on credit cards if you pay them off monthly or at least by the time interest starts, they’re far superior to loans

      8 years ago at 12:56 pm
      1. TossMeABronson

        Not necessarily.
        A. Almost anybody not convicted of a felony can get student loans. Literally.
        B. Interest paid on student loans is an unlimited tax deduction, so essentially you don’t pay interest on them.

        There is a difference between “good” constructive and bad credit, and almost all credit cards are considered bad. They establish a payment history, but that is about it. Credit and employment decisions are based on much more than payment history.

        8 years ago at 2:13 pm
      2. VandyConservative

        Credit cards are not considered “bad credit”. Misusing credit cards is considered untrustworthy. Significant difference. You are clearly not educated on the new Trended Credit Data move. You need lines of credit to rent an apartment, get good financing for a car, or buy a house. Unless you enjoy shitty rates.

        8 years ago at 4:08 pm
      3. TossMeABronson

        Try reading the article, or googling it, or better yet ask someone you know in your business school or your bank. There is a difference between good and bad forms of credit and debt. ANY debt that someone is going to put on a credit card is bad because it loses value and the interest is not a tax break. Not to mention the fact that paying off a couple hundred dollars over few months is not going to do you too much good when you go apply for you first post grad apartment costing $1500 or more per month anymore than having your cell phone in your name will.

        8 years ago at 7:37 pm
      4. TossMeABronson

        Almost forgot: Yes, literally anyone not convicted of a felony can get student loans. You don’t have to have established credit lines. Simply start paying on them immediately instead of deferring then declare the interest on your income taxes.

        8 years ago at 7:53 pm
  6. What Is Haze Prevention

    This is a fraternity site. I have a hard time believing if you can pay dues and join a fraternity that you probably are good in the finances department.

    8 years ago at 1:11 pm