PSA: Younger workers must balance financial priorities

   If you’re a younger worker, you’ve got tremendous personal and professional opportunities ahead of you. 
  But you will need to make some key decisions - especially about your financial priorities. 
  For starters, consider your debts. 
  You’ll want to prioritize paying down student loans to avoid late fees and other problems. 
  Enrolling in autopay can help you stay current with your loan and possibly earn a rate reduction. 
  You may also have short-term savings goals, such as a wedding or a down payment on a home. 
  For these goals, you may want to save money in a low-risk, liquid account that protects your principal. 
  Finally, even though you may be decades away from retirement, saving for this goal should still be a priority. 
  If your company offers a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work, try to put in whatever you can afford - at least enough to earn an employer’s matching contribution if one is offered. 
  Prioritizing these goals, and striving to meet them with the appropriate solutions, can certainly be challenging. 
  But as a young worker, you have the greatest - and most irreplaceable - asset on your side: time. 
  So, make the most of it. 
  This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor John Dickerson. Member SIPC.