Smart Money Moves: Financial Literacy for Your First Career

​Smart Money Moves: Financial Literacy for Your First Career

​Starting your first career comes with a lot of new financial decisions. Your first paycheck, benefits package, retirement plan, health insurance, credit, and investing can feel overwhelming, especially when no one has taught you how it all works.

​Join Wall Street 4 Main Street for a free, practical financial literacy session designed specifically for university students. We’ll break down the basics of managing your money and building a strong financial foundation, without the jargon.

​We’ll explore four simple pillars:

​Mindset
Understand how your beliefs and habits around money can shape your financial future.

​Manage
Learn how to manage your first paycheck, create a spending plan, understand credit, and make the most of your employee benefits.

​Build
Learn the basics of saving and investing, including how 401(k)s work, why starting early matters, and simple investing principles every beginner should know.

​Protect
Understand the importance of an emergency fund, insurance, beneficiaries, and other ways to protect what you’re building.

​We’ll also cover practical topics you’ll encounter as you begin your career, including:

• ​Understanding your first benefits package

• ​401(k)s and employer contributions

• ​HSAs and how they work

• ​Building an emergency fund

• ​Credit cards and credit scores

• ​Basic investing concepts

• ​The power of starting early

• ​Common financial mistakes to avoid

• ​Questions to ask when evaluating your first job offer

​This event is in celebration of Hispanic Heritage and for young professionals. Come with questions, leave with practical information you can use throughout your career.

​Paid parking at Elgin or East garage

​Disclaimer: This event is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. No specific investment, security, or financial product is being recommended. Please consult a qualified professional for advice based on your individual circumstances.