By Derrick Allen Brooks
Okemos, MI
The poll of college seniors in 2001 shows that nearly half of this group felt “not very” or “not at all” knowledgeable about investing and financial planning. Only 8 % of this group categorized themselves as “very
knowledgeable.”
This first graduating class of America’s newest generation, Generation 2001, which comprises those born between 1979 and 2001, also felt as though it lacked knowledge on the various financial tools, such as 401Ks, stocks, mutual funds, IRAs and life insurance.
While Generation 2001 did not appear particularly confident about where they stood financially, 94% of these seniors were still optimistic that they will eventually be able to afford the kind of lifestyle in which they grew
up. That optimism was prevalent throughout the study. Just imagine their potential for fulfilling those dreams if they felt comfortable with financial planning.
- The reality of tuition and plastic money
Part of the reason college students‚ feel uneasy about financial matters may be their growing debt resulting from the climbing cost of college and the lure of credit cards. The average annual tuition at a four-year private university soared to $16,332 in 2000, from $7,207 in 1980, according to the College Board. Between 1991 and 2000, the average student loan burden among households under 35 increased almost 142% to $15,700, as reported by USA Today, February 13, 2001.
The increasing presence of credit cards in daily student life also appears to be catching up with students. According to Nellie Mae, the nation’s largest student loan agency, the average undergraduate in 2000 owed $2,748 in credit card debt. In addition, they say the percentage of undergraduate college students with a credit card jumped from 67% in 1998 to 78% in 2000. Many students are bulking up their wallets with cards in 2000, 32% had four or more cards.
Communication pays off
Lack of communication about finances with parents might also be feeding this anxiety and lack of knowledge about financial planning. Another Harris survey found that most adults, 72%, rarely or never talked about how the family money was spent, saved or invested. However, those who did talk with their parents while growing up are more likely to have saved at least 20% of their gross salary in 1999. Parents would be wise to find opportunities to shape and influence their children‚s financial futures.
Young adults and parents can use many financial resources, Web sites,books, classes and videos to expand their knowledge and dialogue about financial matters. A few helpful Web sites include www.themint.org and
www.jumpstartcoalition.com,
www.kobliner.com, www.financial-education-icfe.org, and www.Youngmoney.com.
- What graduates can do now
As they take the move to the next life chapter, here are a few tips from www.money.com that college graduates can use to begin preparing a good financial portfolio:
1) Pay off all credit-card debt and student loans as soon as possible. Interest compounding is a vicious wealth-killer.
2) Ideally your future employer offers a 401(k) plan. If so, sign up and contribute the maximum, or at least as much as your company matches.
3) If your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k), see if you qualify for a
deductible IRA.
4) Put aside three months’ worth of rent and expenses in a money-market fund or short-term CD as an emergency fund.
5) Allocate your 401(k) or IRA toward growth. Don’t be too conservative at this early date or you’ll miss out on maximum returns.
It may seem like their financial futures are far away as the Class of 2002 dons their graduation caps and gowns, but it’s never too soon or too late to start taking control of your financial destiny. What they taught in school really is true: Knowledge is power.
Derrick Allen Brooks is a Financial Representative with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network based in Okemos, Michigan for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information, please call 517-349-0260 ext. 122.
Printed in Volume 1 Issue 8
