Like a lot of 20-somethings, I'm concerned that I might not be in the best shape financially. I racked up thousands of dollars in loans getting a bachelor's degree in English writing and anthropology, and I'm concerned I might never be able to save enough money to buy the hybrid Toyota Camry I've always wanted, much less save enough to retire comfortably .

But Andrew Evans says things will turn around for me (and other 20-somethings).

"If you're in your late 20s and you're still poor, it's OK," the Charles Schwab financial consultant assured me.

He suggests 20-somethings put at least 10 percent of their salary into a 401(k), including what your employer will match. So, for example, you might only have to put in 5 percent of your wages, and your employer will kick in the rest.

But 401(k)s don't make sense for everyone. If your employer doesn't put any money toward your 401(k), he says you're better off with a Roth IRA. Unlike a 401(k), the money that goes into a Roth IRA is already taxed, so, Mr. Evans says, when you take it out at retirement age (59 ¹/₂), "you won't have to pay any taxes on the distributions."

He makes it seem so simple.

But, he reminds 20-somethings, financial planning is "more of an art than a science" and suggests you meet with a financial adviser before changing (or, in my case, starting) a plan.

The take-home lesson, though, seems to be to save money and don't be stupid:

"You will know what the poor financial decisions are," Mr. Evans said.

-- Annie Tubbs