To track and plan. Planning modules create custom road maps for financing everything from college to retirement. Your credit union's Web site also may have planning tools. Start with the gift of credit union savings. Recommended is three months' take-home pay.
Automatic transfers make small but regular contributions easy.
Also take advantage of IRAs and other insured high-rate opportunities. Then check out your credit union's Web site for investing options. Savvy investors might try Internet brokers, advisers and chat rooms. Just watch out for rumors and recommendations that can't be confirmed. Have family fun by using the Internet to explore and learn about finances.