According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, in 2009 only 19.7% of college graduates have found a job – that’s just 1 in 5 – compared to 51% in 2007.

The average college senior owes $21,000 in student loans upon graduation.

What are the statistics for young adults without a college education?

Unemployment is 20.6% for those with just a high school diploma according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (If that isn’t a statement for the value of a college education what is?)

These are harsh realities that need to be discussed. So, I set out on my continuous quest for knowledge about teens and money by visiting the local bookstore.

First, I encourage you to check out The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens. This clever book gives sound advice for teens to see how saving and investing can be fun. It’s filled with pages of work sheets, information in the credit card department and real world investment advice. Best of all, they talk the language of teens.

A few topics to expect from this book:
- How to gain financial independence
- Ask questions when it comes to managing your money
- Save cash for college, for investing and for fun
- Dodge the spending and savings pitfalls that have trapped many adults
- Get started with investing today
- Discover and learn how to identify up-and-coming businesses that could be future blue chips (what’s a blue chip? That too is explained in the book).

Fast forward to young adults and I found another great book, GradSpot.com’s Guide To Life After College.
This book helps twenty-somethings take a step into the real world with advice on finding a first apartment, first job, office politics, managing finances, paying taxes and so much more.

The book’s authors create a punchy comparison between college antics and fiscal responsibility pointing out there are those mistakes you can make now that won’t affect you when you’re older… and there are those that will. As they so aptly put it, “Between credit scores and compound interest, the American financial institution is designed to reward long-term saving and responsibility. So while a booze-soaked week in Acapulco hopefully won’t be held against you when you’re 65, your money and the people you owe it to are the proverbial elephants in the room. They are big, powerful, and have very good memories.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Buy the book or visit the website www.gradspot.com for great advice by college graduates for college graduates.

Here’s a real world tip… get started today! Visit www.U224U.com to learn more about GTE Federal Credit Union’s U22 checking account for 12 to 22 year olds. “Because learning about money is important, no matter what your age!”

5.) Buying groceries instead of eating out.
This is a tough one for us college students, but it really can save you loads of money. By just buying groceries for yourself instead of eating nasty fast food or pricey restaurants every day, you’ll be saving money and learning how to cook!…. I know it doesn’t excite me either, but it works.

4.) Scheduling and Planning
As much as I hate to admit it, my mom was right. Making schedules to plan out your days and weeks really does save you time and money. When I was with my old bank, I don’t know how many late fees I had to pay because I forgot to make my payments – it’s scary to think about. My hard earned cash walking right out the door! I also like to make a list when I go shopping. This way, you’re only buying what you came to get and not everything else.

3.) Look for Sales
Looking for sales in the newspaper or online is a great way to save a buck. The best thing is that there is always some store that is offering some really good deals. All you have to do is look around. Oh yea and don’t be embarrassed to cut out and use coupons. They are awesome and your mom will love you for finally realizing how cool they are. Plus, it’s fun to cut stuff out… it’s therapeutic for me… what? Don’t judge me!!

2.) Comparing Prices
This one is really important for us to learn. Although it can sometimes be tedious, comparing prices with other stores or other brand’s prices is an extremely good thing to learn. Research is key here. If you really want something or need it, then it would be wise to know all that you can about the product and the differences between brands. You’ll learn that just because it’s more expensive it does not necessarily mean it is better. This will come in handy in the future when you want to buy a house, a pet, a car, or anything for that matter. Trust me, this will save you money.

1.) Wants vs. Needs
Almost everyone will have problems with this one some time in their life. The question you should always ask yourself before you buy something is, “Do I need this? Or do I just want this?” Being honest with yourself is key for this one. Whenever I try to convince myself that I really need something, I begin to realize that if I really needed it, then I wouldn’t need to convince myself of that fact. This is soooo important to learn. And I’m very guilty of buying things that I would never need. Buying things you don’t need is the biggest waste of your money and can cause lots of financial problems for anyone. It’s not a bad thing to buy something you want. Just make sure you do it sparingly and make sure you’re going to actually use it more than once.

Wow! Well I think I’ve lectured you all enough. I hope you will take my advice and learn from my mistakes. Now go out there and start saving!!!! FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM!!!!!!!

www.U224U.com

10). Saving your spare change
I know you’ve all probably heard this before, but it really works. Saving those quarters, dimes and nickels really add up after a while. I actually saved up about 50 dollars worth of change once. So start pulling out those piggy banks.

9). Be Creative!
This tip helps me a whole lot because I’ve been very cheap ever since I started saving for my car. All you have to do is use stuff you have lying around the house for things you normally wouldn’t use them for. For example, instead of buying a mouse pad for my computer, I use a newspaper. If you do this your kinda recycling at the same time, and if you want to go for the trifecta you can actually read the newspaper!! So you’ll be well informed and green at the same time YAY!!

8.) Eating left-overs
This tip is a challenge for me because I sometimes hate eating left-overs (especially if its rice or fries eww), but it can actually save you some money. If you divide your meal so that you have some for later, then you can enjoy two meals for the price of one! “Wow that is soo easy Alex!” I know right!!!

7.) Re-discover your old stuff
If you guys are anything like me, then chances are you have a lot of stuff you don’t use anymore. Like clothes, books, games, and all sorts of things. Well what I do is go through that big pile of stuff and see if I can use it again. Many times I buy new stuff and I forget that my old things can still have a lot of value to them. So before you go buy something new try reading that book that you remember nothing about or playing through that old video game that you used to have fun with. You never know, you may re-discover something amazing.

6.) Driving Less
This one is self explanatory. Gas is expensive so no more joy rides. Just be aware of the gas you plan on using.

Check back in for more money tips – my top ones!

Visit www.U224U.com to learn more about me and the GTE Federal Credit Union’s U22 checking account for 12 to 22 year olds!
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