Making smart moves is essential at any stage of your life. It is important to start out strong and make choices that will prepare you for wherever life takes you. 
在你人生的任何阶段，采取明智的举动都是极其必要的。重要的是要开始坚强，做出选择，为生活所需要的一切做好准备。

You may stay single, end up with a partner or start a family, but the positive financial choices you make in your 20s can set you up to meet the next adventure and know that your future is taken care of.
你可能会保持单身，最终和伴侣在一起，或者组建一个家庭，但是你在20多岁时做出的积极的财政选择可以让你迎接下一个冒险，并且知道你的未来是会得到照顾的。

Learn ten steps you need to take now.
学习一下你需要现在就采取的十个步骤。

1. Start Planning for Retirement  
开始为退休做计划

The first thing you should do is plan for retirement. Contributing early and regularly means that you can get by with contributing a lower overall percentage of your income and you do not need to worry about catching up later. 
你应该做的第一件事是退休计划。提前定期缴纳养老金意味着你缴纳较低的总收入百分比就可以了，而且，你也不需要担心以后需要高额补交。

It makes sense to plan as though you are going to be responsible for your retirement on your own. This allows you to save enough and will leave you prepared. It may help you to be able to retire early.
你做计划时要好像你自己要为自己的退休负责那样，这是有意义的。这样可以让你存够钱并且做好准备。还可能有助于你能够提前退休。

2.Create a Financial Plan  
制定财务计划

A financial plan can include everything from your career plan to your retirement plan. If that feels like too much start out with a five-year plan. Where do you want to be in five years? What do you need to do financially to get there?
财务计划可以包括从职业规划到退休计划的所有内容。如果这感觉太多了，就从五年计划开始。五年后你想去哪里？为了达到这个目标，你需要在经济上做些什么？

Then break it down into yearly and monthly goals and steps. Be sure to include long-term goals like retirement as part of your plan. This may include going back to school to get your education to help with your next career goal.
然后把它分解成每年和每月的目标和步骤。一定要把退休等长期目标纳入计划的一部分。这可能包括回到学校接受教育以帮助你实现下一个职业目标。

3. Focus on Climbing the Career Ladder  
专注于事业发展

Now is a great time to focus on the career ladder. It takes time and hard work to move up. Make clear goals and determine what you need to do to reach them.
现在是一个专注于事业发展的好时机。晋升需要时间和努力。制定明确的目标，然后确定你需要做些什么来实现它们。

It may mean switching companies, moving to another city or going back to school. It may mean that you do side work or create a professional network and find a mentor to help you reach that goal.
这可能意味着换公司，搬到另一个城市或回到学校。这可能意味着你要做兼职工作，或者建立一个职业关系网，然后找一个导师来帮助你实现这个目标。

Break down the steps for the career path you want to take and start taking them. It is okay to switch directions at some point and choose to go a new direction if you find a better fit for you.
列出你想走的职业道路的步骤，并开始实施。如果你找到一个更适合自己的方向，在有些时候改变方向去选择一个新的方向是可以的。

Dreams can change, but the key is to keep moving forward toward that dream.
梦想可以改变，但关键是要继续朝着梦想前进。

4.Make Sure You Are Budgeting  
确保你有预算

Budgeting is one of the biggest tools to managing your money properly.
预算是正确管理资金的最好工具之一。

When you are single, it is easy to justify not creating a budget. Your expenses are straightforward and if you pay your bills what does it matter when and how you spend your money?
当你单身的时候，不做预算是很容易的。你的开销很简单，如果你付了账单，那么什么时候、怎样花钱又有什么关系呢?

However, your budget can help you find areas you can cut back on spending to put more money toward savings or debt.
然而，你的预算可以帮助你找到可以削减开支的领域，把更多的钱用于储蓄或债务。

Make your income a tool, and budget effectively. This does not mean you should not have fun, but determine how much you can afford to spend while working on your financial plan and stick to that amount.
让你的收入成为一种工具，并有效地进行预算。这并不是说你不应该玩得很开心，而是决定在制定理财计划的同时，你能负担得起多少钱，并坚持这么做。

5. Make Sure You Have the Right Insurance  
确保你有合适的保险

Insurance is there to protect you. It can be frustrating to see your income going to insurance each month, but it is there to protect you.
保险就是为了保护你的。看到你每个月的收入都有一部分要用于保险是会令人沮丧，但它确实是为了保护你。

When you are a single, short-term and long-term disability insurance can be a life saver, especially if you do not have an emergency fund saved up.
当你是单身的时候，短期和长期的伤残保险可以拯救你的生命，特别是如果你没有准备应急基金的话。

This insurance will protect you if you are suddenly not able to work due to an injury or illness. Health insurance can keep you from going bankrupt when you are suddenly ill. Renter's insurance can help you avoid the stress of replacing everything if you are robbed.
如果你因受伤或生病突然不能工作，这项保险会保护你。健康保险可以防止你突然生病而破产。如果你被抢劫，承租人保险可以帮助你避免要更换所有物品的压力。

Take the time to make sure you are protected.
花点时间确保你受到保护了。

6.Build Your Emergency Fund  
建立应急基金

An emergency fund is essential if you are single. It can be the thing that save you from being homeless if you were to suddenly lose your job.
如果你是单身，应急基金是必不可少的。如果你突然失业，这可能会让你免于无家可归。

It can help cover unexpected expenses and take the worry and weight off.
它可以帮助支付意想不到的费用，减轻忧虑和压力。

For people living on one income, a year's worth of expense is a good goal. This will give you time to find a new job without too much pressure.
对于只靠一种收入生活的人来说，一年的花费是一个很好的应急基金目标。这会给你时间去找一份没有太多压力的新工作。