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In the past century or two, there was a pretty basic productivity formula for the American wage-earner:

1. Go to school.
2. Get a job. Save 10% or more from each paycheck.
3. Retire. Live off the pension fund, 401(k), and Social Security.

Family-building usually happened between 2 and 3 (get married, have 2.3 children and a dog, buy a house in the suburbs).

Things have changed. We no longer live in a world where we’re expected to do something with our lives, however big or small. Rather, we’re encouraged to make our own way, to be productive, to create and destroy our own boundaries, and do what we love. Here’s a better financial productivity plan for today’s twenty-something that can help take your future into your own hands:

First, what do I mean by financial productivity? Well, I wanted to differentiate between just a “plan” and an actual “active,” “productive” plan for our lives. A financial plan can really be anything–put some money under the bed every now and then, etc. But a “productive financial plan” is one that not only encompasses a broader worldview to give you more well-rounded understanding of your own risk aversion, it’s meant to be a productive way of saving, investing, and planning for the future with specific and measurable action steps to get you there.

1. Start learning about personal finance. Get good at saving money and “stretching” a dollar.
2. Go to school. Try to earn a degree that will make you more valuable.
3. Start learning about investing. Practice “paper trading” or using sites like Up-Down.com. This is a productive step that cannot be ignored.
4. Get a job. Whether you work for someone else or create your own income stream, start to plan your long-term investment strategy.
5. Start actively investing. Set aside money after tithes, bills, savings, and monthly expenses to invest with.
6. Re-assess as needed. This could mean reevaluating your financial situation as you change careers, start a family, have an unexpected or planned large expense, etc.
7. Retire and live off of your savings and investments. If you start investing in your early- to mid-twenties, have a decent nest egg upon retirement, and your investments continue to perform well (8% and up), you’ll be fine. If you’re like me and will probably “work” (as in earn money doing something I love) until I croak, you shouldn’t need to worry about money.

Note and disclaimer: I’m a Christian, and I firmly believe that the good Lord will guide me and provide for me the earthly things and possessions I need to raise a family and have a comfortable and God-honoring life. I will control the aspects of my life God has assigned for me to control (my day-to-day tasks, productivity, and decisions), but I know that I am under His jurisdiction and guidance, and He will place me into situations that will let me grow and learn. While I fight for what I want in this world, I know that I will only attain what He wills for me to have. I believe God values and rewards us for making steadfast and responsible decisions (through prayer and consultation) about money and life, and so my plans and writings here will reflect not a denial of Christ’s power in my life, but rather the decisions that I’ve carefully and prayerfully (and actively!)  made to honor Him.