4 money moves to make before you turn 30

This may sound basic, however, it's always good to be reminded of the basics. For most young adults, your 20s are all about learning – who you are, who you want to be and where you want life to take you. Maybe you just landed your first "real" job, are moving out of your childhood home or working on a degree to consider a new vocation. It's an exciting era filled with growth and exploration. As you navigate these big life changes, it's important to use this time to also consider your financial future. You're never too young to get your finances in order, and the decisions you make now can help you develop positive habits to build wealth down the road. Whether you're new to establishing money goals or simply looking to refine your spending and investing habits, making these four key moves in your 20s can help set you up for financial success before you reach your 30th birthday. 1. Set a monthly budget: If you've just started a new job, you might feel like you're rolling in cash when those first few paychecks come in. Don't let your finances get away from you just as you start bringing in an income. Document your essential monthly expenses – such as rent, utilities, groceries, etc. – and add in other expenses important to your lifestyle, such as entertainment, a trip with friends or a fitness membership. You may have to make tradeoff decisions between priorities month to month to be realistic with your monthly income. Budgeting may sound archaic yet it can be dynamic and powerful. Knowing where each dollar is going is the first step to prioritizing the items most important to you. 2. Build a strong foundation: Once you have a handle on your monthly expenses, you can begin saving for the "what-ifs." Open a high-yield savings account with your bank and pad it until you have 3-6 months worth of monthly expenses set aside as a safety net in case of emergencies. You can make this even easier by setting up automatic transfers to regularly move funds from your checking account into this high-yield savings account. At the very least, aim to save a little of each paycheck. 3. Invest early: Yes, you can start investing in your 20s. An easy place to begin is by maximizing your 401(k) contributions. A 401(k) is a type of retirement savings plan that invests part of your paycheck before taxes are taken out. Maximizing these contributions is especially important if your employer offers any amount of matching funds. It's so-called "free money" that can snowball into significant wealth over time. 4. Plan ahead with what's left: Your 20s are a good time to consider larger life goals and, once you have that emergency fund in place, begin setting money aside to make them a reality. Do you dream of owning a home someday? Is a destination wedding on your vision board? How about kids? You don't have to have all the answers right now, but putting money aside today means you'll be better prepared and have more flexibility financially when those big moments arrive. Preparing for the future doesn't have to be overwhelming. Working with a financial advisor can help you come up with a roadmap that keeps you focused on what's ahead while allowing you room to explore and grow in the present. Glenn Kenes, CRPC, AIF, is a private wealth advisor and managing director of Barber Kenes Retirement Solutions, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, in Auburn. He and his team specialize in financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice since 1995. Contact him at: BKRetirementSolutions.com or 530-823-0710, 470 Nevada Street, Ste. 200, Auburn, CA 95603