You have arrived! The next chapter of your life, post-college, is here, and it may include a new job or a new place to live. A big part of your life as a recent graduate will involve money. But when it comes to money, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Let’s start with the basics.

Have a spending plan

A spending plan can give you a clear road map of when your money comes in and goes out. Look at your paycheck to get a good idea of the money coming in (gross income) and how much you really take home (net income). Then you can start to handle your money in ways that are not only safe, but fruitful.

Be cautious of credit card offers

Be careful of offers that seem too good to be true. The convenience and temptation of credit cards is real, but remember that taking on unnecessary credit right out of school can have a negative impact on your credit score, which can affect your future purchasing power.

Know your student loans

It may have been a minute since you looked at the repayment details on your student loans. To set yourself up for success here, be sure to review your loan terms. Find out the number of individual loans you have, their balances, and their interest rates.

Develop this mindset: Make your minimum payments and if you can afford it, plan to pay more than the monthly payment each month, especially on your higher-interest loans. Knowing the details of your loans will help you better manage them and work to reduce your student loan debt.

Be practical

When you are busy focusing on current expenses or near-term purchases, like a vehicle, apartment leases, monthly food costs, and choices for your free time, be sure to think about your long-term goals. Which purchases are truly necessary when the budget may be tight? Getting into a routine of being practical is a healthy part of your financial future as a new graduate.

Get part-time work

While you may have had a part-time job while you were in college, you may now find yourself a part of the gig economy, where you add a part-time gig to your full-time work. Or you may even juggle multiple part-time roles to make ends meet. No matter how you make your money, it all adds up.

Save something

Put some money into a savings account, even if it’s five or ten dollars a week. This will help you to build the habit of putting some money in an account that is not for spending, only saving. Sign up for automatic transfers so your chosen amount will move from, say, checking to savings. This will help you grow an account that is not for spending, only saving. You will see this money build and once you get started, you can attach goals to the account. These might include saving for continuing education, a trip, or whatever you are working toward.

While the road after graduation brings excitement and new challenges, adding a smart spending plan can help take some of the pressure off this next chapter.