If you're like most Americans, you are graduating with student loans. Here are some common issues to watch out for when dealing with student loans:

- Interest deferred loans like the Perkins loans start charging interest after you graduate (although there is usually a grace period). These should be highest in your priority of paying off debt.
- If you have multiple federal loans, consolidate them into a single loan with a fixed interest rate. With interest rates at their current historic lows, it makes more sense than ever to lock in your loan rate. Instead of using private companies that promise to consolidate your loans and get you the best interest rates, go directly to the government website to start consolidation.
- If you have a variable rate loan such as a Stafford loan, also consider consolidating. With your monthly payments fixed, there will be one less thing to worry about each time rates start moving up.
- Carefully consider the impact of paying down your student loan debt instead of investing.

- Remember to take advantage of the tax credits you get for paying your tuition as well as student loan interest. You may be able to claim the Lifetime Learning and the American Opportunity credits.

- Moving for a job? Make sure your bank provides services: no-fee ATMs, branches, mortgages etc. in the area you're moving to. Otherwise, change banks. Remember to ask for zero-fee checking accounts, incentives for using the bank for direct deposit and other free gifts when opening a new account.

Bonuses and promotions are cause for celebration and also contemplation. Before you hit the mall or book an expensive vacation ticket, stop to think  about what you want to achieve in the longer run.

- Paying down debt almost always makes sense. Remember interest is an expense you are paying for the enjoyment of an asset, be it a college degree, a car or a la-z-boy. Paying down debt improves your credit history and frees you up to take out loans for more valuable uses such as buying real estate. Even if your interest payments are manageable, ask yourself if you'd rather not be debt-free.

- Invest! Even if you do salt away some money in your 401-K, remember that you ideally won't see it again until retirement. Why not make other, independent investments that help you build solid financial foundation for your middle years? There are a wide, mindboggling array of investment choices out there. Don't be intimidated by them. You can build a strong, well-diversified portfolio with a limited number of assets. See our investments section for more.

- Build an emergency fund to make sure you have 6 months worth of living expenses if you were to lose your job. Your emergency fund should include your rent/mortgage payment, car maintenance/public transport expenses, grocery bills and also an amount set aside for emergency medical care.

Marriage is the start of a wonderful partnership in your life, so make sure your finances are in order to make a smooth transition.

- If you decide to change your name, notify the social security administration, the DMV, and the three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). It is important for ensuring a continuation of your credit history.

- Remember joint accounts are a joint responsibility. If your spouse is more financially savvy than you, that is wonderful for both of you. But make sure to not check yourself out of the financial decision making process. It is important to understand the nature of investments and debts that are linked to your good name. Also remember that your individual credit will now affect your joint credit.

- When applying for new credit, it is a good idea to apply jointly. This will enable both of you to build a more extensive credit history.

In the difficult time around a divorce, it helps to take a few simple steps that make your money one less thing to worry about

- Notify your bank, credit card company, mortgage company, landlord and all other creditors of your change in status.

- Close all joint accounts and open individual ones.

- Assets such as houses or cars can sold or refinanced in one spouse's name. It is important not to take your name off the title of the asset until your name is also off the mortgage/car loan. Taking your name off the title relieves you of ownership without relieving you of the debt!

Before welcoming a baby, make sure you have these important issues straightened out:

- Check your health insurance policy to understand what is covered before the birth of a baby. Is a C-section considered major surgery? Are pre-natal tests and prescriptions covered adequately? Change policies before you get pregnant if you don't like the answers. It will be much more expensive to change plans once you're expecting because insurers consider pregnancy to be a pre-existing condition and charge higher premiums.

- Ensure your baby is covered as a dependent under your policy. Neo-natal care is prohibitively expensive and can run into thousands of dollars.

- Look into health spending accounts (HSA) that your employer might offer. These accounts use pre-tax dollars to pay for medical expenses. The downside is that these expire in little more than a year, so it is important to time the start of a HSA carefully. Read our Insights section for more on this.