Four booklets available from the Consumer Information Center can help you plan your finances. Each has advice geared toward a different time in your life.
"Getting Started" (item 437X, 50 cents) discusses opening bank accounts, establishing credit and buying insurance. "Settling Down" (item 438X, 50 cents) covers setting financial goals and managing your money. "Keeping Pace" (item 439X, 50 cents) will help you manage crisis and change in your finances. "Staying Independent" (item 440X, 50 cents) has information about planning for financial independence later in life.For copies of these booklets send your name and address and the item numbers and appropriate payment to R. Woods, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colo., 81009.
"Getting Started" suggests you begin to build a good credit history by establishing a steady work record and paying your bills promptly. You might also apply for a line of credit at a local department store. Once you have established department store credit you will have something to include on applications for major credit cards.
"Settling Down" can help you decide whether you should pool all your income or maintain separate financial identities if you are a two-income family.
"Keeping Pace" suggests that you have adequate health, disability, life and property insurance. In case of a financial emergency, it's best if your family has been regularly saving money and using credit carefully.
"Staying Independent" says you should take an inventory of your assets a decade before you retire and plan how to maximize them.