Income

As part of the changes you’re gearing up for in the months after you graduate, you’re poised to enter the working world as a long-term employee, perhaps for the first time in your life. As you prepare for this transition, you might have dollar signs dancing in your head while you dream of what you’re going to do with your first paycheck.

Before you start planning a one-in-each-color shopping spree at the mall or a weekend in Vegas, check out our list of responsible things to do with your first paycheck.

Who wouldn’t love some extra pocket money? Some freelance jobs don’t require any experience and can be done by practically anyone. Plus, some of them might pay you for tasks you’re already doing! These eight easy side hustles can help you pad your purse.

You’ve already gone for a follow-up interview and the position is as good as yours. The only obstacle to cross before joining the ranks of the officially employed is salary negotiation.

Here are some tips to help you negotiate like a pro:

The paystub will summarize all the information from your paycheck and provide a total for net pay.

Before reviewing the actual numbers, let’s take a moment to explore the way a paystub is structured.

Asking for the occasional raise should be part of any career path, but it can sometimes be difficult to know when and how to ask for an increase in salary. Follow these tips to make negotiating your next raise easy.