MEET JENNIFER RUSSELL (AGE 23)

Jennifer is a single mom who just finished college. She is employed as an administrative assistant at a medium-sized engineering firm. She has a one-year old son.

Now that she has a full-time job, she is beginning to think more and more about the future. She is most concerned about two things: being able to provide a college education for her son Michael, and paying off her debt. She knows she should also think about saving for retirement, but she does not think that is necessary until you are really old, at least 40.

Jennifer has some other goals. She has decided to invest her savings, and the gift from her parents, in an RESP for Michael. She also wants to pay off her student and car loans.