When you accept your first job, the Human Resources department gives you a packet detailing your options on health insurance, dental and disability insurance, vacation time, flex savings, HSA accounts, retirement contributions, and company policies. While this can be overwhelming, it also provides an excellent time for long-term financial planning! So, dive in – your future self will be glad you did.

You can invest well if you separate short-term goals from long-term goals, diversify, rebalance, dollar-cost average and keep costs down - read this post to see what we mean

If this is the data age, then you want to be sure you have safeguards in place for your smartphones, computers and even key paper documents. You can set up the safeguards and be more secure for doing so.

Think of those who rely on you: get proper insurance and sign appropriate estate plan

Understand the AMT so your tax planning will pay off; preserving your deductions can yield very substantial savings on your income taxes.

Are you better off leasing or buying a car? Read this to see the many factors on which this depends.

How do you address market risk, inflation risk, interest rate risk, opportunity costs and liquidity risk. Use the tools of comprehensive financial planning - cash & debt management, tax-planning, investing and insurance - so all your resources work the best way over time.

Trying just to simplify your finances may distort what you want your money to do. Read this for ways to gain better understanding of your finances that can also make your finances simpler.