SUCCESS ADVICE FOR NEW GRADS

By John Ingrisano

By John Ingrisano

Director, Family Finance Conference Center

If you’re wrapping up school this month, congratulations.  Degree in hand, you’re ready to take the world by storm.  It may be tough for a while, especially in this slow economy and tight job market.  Hang tough.  Instead, think long-term about financial success and happiness.

Here are three “secrets” to your success and happiness:

1.      Get even more education.  Better yet, make education a life-long process.  The fact is that the number one factor in lifetime income is level of education.  Keep on learning.

2.      Choose your partner carefully … very carefully.  A level-headed, loyal, supportive, hard-working spouse not only makes your life peaceful, but it also helps assure financial security over time.  I know, this is easier said than done, but be cold-blooded when it comes to assessing the attributes of your partner before you tie the knot. It will make all the difference in the world in the years to come.

3.      Stay married once you pick that partner.  Divorce not only upsets lives, but it is almost always financially devastating over time, as accumulated assets are squandered in the “Great Divide.”    

Now, go out and work hard, make money, have fun and make good financial and personal decisions.