If you’re part of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012), you’re likely just starting your career. However, it’s crucial not to overlook financial planning. While getting professional financial advice might not be your top priority, there are steps you can take to secure your financial future.

We asked some financial experts for their top tips on financial planning for Gen Z. Here are five key pieces of advice.

Start Saving As Early As Possible

The most important advice for Gen Z is to start saving as soon as possible. “Gen Z should start saving for retirement as soon as possible. The sooner they start saving, the more time their money has to grow,” says Samantha Hawrylack, a personal finance expert and co-founder of How to Fire.

Time is a significant advantage for Gen Z. A recent survey showed that 52 percent of young adults contribute to their savings monthly.

Starting small is okay. “They should try to save 10-15 percent of their income each year,” Hawrylack recommends. However, anything is better than nothing. “That’s the power of starting young: You don’t need to invest nearly as much each month because your money has plenty of time to compound,” explains Brian Davis, founder of SparkRental.

With a 30- or 40-year head start, even small monthly savings can grow significantly over time. If you wait until the last decade of your career, it will be much harder to save a similar amount in time for retirement.

Think About the Long-Term Goal

While retirement might seem far off, thinking about it now can help you make smarter decisions. A study by The Center for Generational Kinetics found that 35 percent of Gen Z planned to start saving for retirement in their 20s.

“This might include figuring out how much money you’ll need to live comfortably and what kind of lifestyle you want,” suggests Brian Meiggs, founder of My Millennial Guide. This long-term vision helps determine how much to save over your working life.

“Start planning the age you want to retire and work backwards,” says Shawn Plummer, CEO of The Annuity Expert. “Calculate expected monthly expenses, the guaranteed income from retirement accounts, and the amount you need to save.” This approach helps you set a rough savings target.

Stick to a Budget and Avoid Lifestyle Creep

Budgeting is a simple but effective financial tool. “Young adults aren’t always looking ahead, either due to lack of experience or low income that makes saving challenging,” explains Hawrylack. However, starting a budget early helps develop good spending habits over time.

Starting young also means you can increase savings over time by avoiding lifestyle creep. “Resist the temptation to spend extra money each month as you earn more. Put all the extra money into investments and savings,” advises Davis. Lifestyle creep is when increased earnings lead to increased spending, often resulting in a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle.

A survey by Travis Credit Union found that only 66 percent of young adults feel they are on track to meet their financial goals. Sticking to a budget can help achieve your targets and prevent overspending.

Utilize Financial Apps

Gen Z is very tech-savvy and uses investing apps frequently. During the pandemic, Gen Z increased their time on financial apps by 102 percent, according to Global Wireless Solutions.

Financial apps can greatly assist in financial planning. “Downloading budgeting apps makes it easier for Gen Z to track expenses and start investing,” says Plummer. There are apps for tracking spending, bookkeeping, saving, and investing.

Brittany Kline, a personal finance expert from The Savvy Couple, recommends apps like Acorns and Digit. “Acorns rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the change into a diversified portfolio. Digit analyzes spending and income to find saving opportunities,” Kline explains.

With technology’s help, Gen Z can develop healthy financial habits early for a secure future.

Stay Informed About World Trends

Staying informed about world trends is another top tip for financial planning. World events can impact financial decisions, especially for stocks. The global economy affects finances and the cost of living, which in turn affects your budget and spending habits. “If a recession is looming, you might want to adjust your spending habits accordingly,” says Meiggs.

While you can’t predict everything, being aware of the global situation helps you make informed decisions. To play it safe, Hawrylack suggests, “Hedge your bets by investing in both inflation-proof assets and those that benefit from rising prices.” Self-education is key to making the right investment choices.

Plan, Stash, Save

To take charge of your financial future, start thinking about saving, budgeting, and investing early. Gen Z is ahead with the use of financial apps and access to online financial education.

Consider setting financial goals for retirement from the start and sticking to a well-informed budget. Services like Bizee’s Accounting and Bookkeeping can also simplify budgeting and taxes.