As the final notes of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” hustle you out of the auditorium from graduation and thrust you into the real world, a sense of freedom and a wide open world welcome you. For once, there is nobody telling you how and when you should spend your money (except maybe your student loan creditors).

As you welcome and adjust to the new changes and opportunities in your life, you may find yourself getting excited to start a new job and earn money to help you live the life you’ve always imagined. Every financial choice you make from this day forward can be one that either helps you accomplish your goals or sets you back if you don’t protect your finances. By recognizing how your choices can affect your overall financial picture for the rest of your life, you can learn to make smart moves in investing and managing your money.

Cali Gillespie

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By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

People often ask me about my favorite budgeting app. What do you use? Does it work for you? If yes, why do you like it?

Cali Gillespie

cali

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Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you’re driving to work, giving yourself your best, “You can make it!” pep talk, you see smoke seeping out from under your hood.

Cali Gillespie

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Every year, more than 147 million Americans, just like you, file federal tax returns, according to the Tax Policy Center. We often hear how much people dread searching through their files to locate their mortgage, retirement, and investment account statements. But, gathering your records for tax season can also be an excellent opportunity to evaluate your income and expenditures. In other words, tax season is a great time to give the household budget a checkup. Here are some tips we’ve compiled over the years that may be helpful.

Cali Gillespie

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