Whether you love travel, big nights out, or want to settle down, your twenties can be an expensive time – here's how to make your money go further.
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Getting started and clearing debt
Whether you've just graduated, or been working for a few years, it's likely you'll be starting your 20s with not much money – and possibly a lot of debt.
Paying off that debt should be one of your first priorities because once you have, you can save up for the things you want to do.
Take a look at our guide to clearing debt and our list of sources of free debt advice.
University graduates should also take a look at our round-up of graduate bank accounts, which have quite a few perks. Finally, read our piece on why the size of your student debt doesn't matter.
Get a credit profile
If you don't know what a 'credit profile' is, then we've put together a jargon-free guide.
All those fancy credit cards, car loans and mortgages you see are reserved for people with a good credit profile. The problem is, most people in their twenties start with not much of a credit profile at all.
Luckily, the rules have just changed to allow you to use your rent payments to build your credit profile, but it doesn't happen automatically: find out how to set it up here.
You can also improve your profile with the right beginner's credit card: some cards can even help if you're a keen traveller.
If you struggle to make your money last until the end of the month, it's time to look for a bank account with an interest-free overdraft, so you're not getting charged fees every time you go into the red.
Build up an emergency savings pot
Claim everything you're entitled to
Every penny matters when you're in your twenties – so make sure you're getting every penny you're owed.
The minimum wage has changed a lot in recent years, so take a look at our guide to make sure your employer isn't ripping you off.
Benefits have also changed, so see our list of the latest figures here.
If you were thinking of going into further study, there are loans and other resources available: you can find more about postgraduate finance here.
Cut your bills
Renting and dealing with landlords
Chances are, you'll be moving around a lot for the next few years.
Living with your parents may be irritating, but you should be able to save up a fortune.
If you've moved out, or are planning to, read our article on spotting a dodgy landlord. Sadly, there are quite a few of them out there, including quite a few scams.
Don't let your landlord mess you around: start by learning your rights as a tenant and what happens if your landlord tries to kick you out. Then check out our tips for managing and saving money in a shared house.
If you want to buy your own place, scroll further down the page to learn more.
Get protected
We all hope for the best..but things don't always go that way.
Rather than risking an accident use up your savings, getting the right insurance need not work out that expensive.
Read our insurances in your 20s guide, which deals with the obvious - car and travel insurance - as well as some useful types you may not have heard of.
Travel the world
We're not going to tell you where to travel (although our sister-site loveEXPLORING has a few tips).
Just make sure you're spending money on the fun stuff, and not getting ripped-off for everything else.
It's easy to spend hundreds of pounds on holiday and every time you do, it's likely your bank is taking a cut. Cut them out, by getting a bank account with fee-free spending abroad, a travel credit card and find out where to get foreign currency.
Almost every great travel story has something that goes wrong, and that could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Don't be that person –get some cheap travel insurance that actually works.
Going out
Pensions
Yes, we understand that these aren't exactly a top priority right now.
But, thanks to auto-enrolment, if you're in work you're already putting some of your money into a pension.
Pensions are just investments with some tax perks, and crucially, they're your money and, ultimately, your retirement fund.
Take a look at our piece on how much to save, and our guide to ethical pensions, to make sure your money is helping fight climate change and other problems.
Buy your own home
Forget what you've heard: buying your home is far from impossible, even if you live in London.
It just takes time and a little patience. It starts with saving up and making use of all the Government help you can get: you'd be surprised how many schemes there are out there.
We have a separate guide to buying your own home. Take a look, even if you're just starting to think about homeownership.