Building Your Financial Future: A Guide for the Class of 2025

Class of 2025! You’ve put in the hard work, earned the late nights, and now you’re stepping into a whole new world of opportunities. As you celebrate this major milestone, it’s the perfect time to set yourself up for financial success — and Volt Credit Union is here to help every step of the way.

Know Your Money Personality

Everyone has a unique relationship with money. Are you a saver, a spender, or somewhere in between? Understanding your natural patterns is crucial for setting up a financial plan that feels right — not restrictive. Volt offers free financial coaching and budgeting tools to help you uncover and optimize your money habits.

Keep An Eye On Your Finances

Before you can master your money, you need to know where it’s going. Review your recent spending without judgment. Identify your essentials (rent, bills, groceries) and your extras (daily coffee runs, impulse shopping).

Pro Tip: Volt’s mobile banking app can help you categorize expenses automatically, making it easier than ever to spot opportunities for savings.

Tackle Big Expenses with Small Changes

The biggest financial wins often come from small lifestyle tweaks.

• Cook more meals at home.

• Carpool or use public transportation.

• Buy secondhand when possible.

• Get a roommate to split housing costs.

Every dollar you save can go toward bigger goals — and Volt’s savings accounts make growing your money effortless.

Find Your Budgeting Style

A budget is your best financial friend — not a buzzkill! Explore frameworks like:

• Pay Yourself First: Save a percentage before you do anything else.  Try the 50/30/20 Rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings.

• Have You Started Your Emergency Fund?: Life is full of surprises . An emergency fund can be your financial safety net for unexpected car repairs, medical bills, or job changes.

Volt’s Tip: Set a tiny goal first — $500. Hit it, celebrate, then keep building.

• Volt offers high-yield savings options to make your emergency fund grow faster. Set up automatic savings transfers to effortlessly stick to your plan.

Make a Plan for Student Loans

Student loans don’t have to be scary if you tackle them head-on:

• Know your repayment start date.

• Understand your loan terms.

• Explore refinancing options through Volt to potentially lower your interest rate.

Ignoring student loans only makes them grow — but a proactive plan can give you peace of mind.

Build Financial Habits that Stick

Good habits now will pay off for decades to come:

• Monitor your credit score: Easily check your score for free through Volt’s digital tools.

• Review your accounts regularly: Stay alert for unauthorized activity and avoid accidental overdrafts.

Fresh Idea: Set a “Money Monday” reminder each week to do a quick financial check-in!

Start Your Financial Future with Volt

Your journey is just beginning — and Volt Credit Union is ready to cheer you on, guide you, and help you turn those dreams into reality. From your first paycheck to your first home, we’re here for every major life step (and even the little ones).

Let’s build your bright financial future together. Visit us online, give us a call, or stop by a branch today!