10 Money Goals to Accomplish by Age 30

They say 30 is the new 20, but even so, by the time your 30th birthday rolls around, there are certain financial milestones you should aim to have accomplished. Here are 10 specific goals to work toward.

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We all need money in the bank for a rainy day. By the time you're 30, you should have an emergency fund with enough cash to cover three to six months of essential bills. That way, you'll have a backup plan in case you lose your job or get hit with a huge bill your paycheck can't handle.

Credit card debt is bad news -- it can cost you a lot of money in interest and, in some cases, hurt your actual credit score. If you're carrying credit card debt, aim to rid yourself of it by age 30. You can look at doing a balance transfer to consolidate your debt and make it more affordable to repay.

Though retirement may not exactly be something to start counting down to at age 30, it should still be on your radar. In fact, the more time you give yourself to save for that period of life, the more wealth you're apt to accumulate. Aim to at least open an IRA or sign up for your company's 401(k) by age 30, and from there, make room in your budget for regular contributions.

Investing is a great way to grow wealth, so it's a good idea to put some money into a brokerage account and choose some stocks to buy in time for your 30th birthday. Ideally, you should focus on stocks you can hang onto for a long time with the potential to increase in value.

You may not be ready to buy a home by the time you turn 30, but if your goal is to own one, you should aim to have some funds earmarked for a down payment by then. Of course, if you're in a position to actually apply for a mortgage by age 30, even better. That way, if you take out a 30-year loan, you'll have your home paid off in time for retirement.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

The younger you are when you apply for life insurance, the cheaper your premiums are apt to be. It pays to have a policy in place even if you aren't wealthy. If you have people in your life who depend on you financially, life insurance is a smart investment to make, and if you opt for a term policy, you may find that your premiums are quite affordable.

Without a will, you won't get a say in what happens to your assets in the event of your untimely passing. While it may be sobering to have to sit down and write up a will at such a young age, it's an important, responsible step to take.

If you've been coasting in a dead-end job for years, now's the time to get serious about your career growth. Getting stuck in a rut could harm your mental health and your finances, so if your current job doesn't offer much room for improvement, look at getting a different one.

A high credit score could help you in many ways. It can increase your chances of getting approved for a mortgage, a personal loan, or the best credit card offers out there. A score in the mid-700s or above will open the door to more borrowing options, so that's a good target to aim for.

By the time you're 30, you should be in the habit of upholding certain smart practices that lend to financial stability. These include following a budget, checking your credit reports several times a year, and making strategic decisions that save you money on taxes.

Our credit card expert uses this card, and it could earn you $1,148 (seriously)
As long as you pay them off each month, credit cards are a no-brainer for savvy Americans. They protect against fraud far better than debit cards, help raise your credit score, and can put hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars in rewards back in your pocket each year.

But with so many cards out there, you need to choose wisely. This top-rated card offers the ability to pay 0% interest on purchases until late 2021, has some of the most generous cash back rewards we’ve ever seen (up to 5%!), and somehow still sports a $0 annual fee.

That’s why our expert – who has reviewed hundreds of cards – signed up for this one personally. Click here to get free access to our expert’s top pick.

It’s always a good idea to establish money-related goals and stick to them. If you manage to check most of these items off of your list by the time you hit 30, you'll be in a pretty good position to rock your next decade of life.