If you are in your 20s, it can feel nearly impossible to save money and budget correctly, especially if you are buried in student loans. The good news is that there are ways to plan for your future and save money that will help you to meet any short-term goals you might have, but also long-term goals such as retirement. If you are looking for some new ways to save money and budget better, here are some tips that you can implement into your life:

• Find yourself a side hustle. If you have the time, or a passion that you want to chase after, think about finding a side hustle that you can do to earn some extra money on the side, while simultaneously exploring something you have always wanted to try out! If you are able to secure a side hustle for yourself, try and only spend money from your full-time salary, and put your “side hustle checks” into the bank.
• Only charge what you can pay off. One of the easiest ways someone in their 20s, or any age for that matter, can find themselves in debt is from overcharging on your credit cards. Make a valid effort to only charge what you know you will be able to pay off in full each month, this way you will not end up paying interest, which can add up very quickly.
• Start contributing to a retirement account. The earlier that you start a retirement account the better. This will offer more time for your money to grow, allowing you to have a solid amount by the time you are ready to retire. If you are able to, contribute at least 10% of your paychecks to your retirement account, and check in with your employer to see how much they are willing to match.