<prompt> Human: Due to health problems and the resulting unemployment issues, my parents wound up in a really awful financial situation by the time I was in high school. Lots of debt, poor decisions, bankruptcy, etc. They have a spend as if youll die tomorrow philosophy, figuring their situation cant get any worse. We wound up technically in the lower class by the time I reached college and I am terrified that I will not be able to make good money decisions since I dont have great financial role models in my parents like many successful people do.Im in my last year of college. I will have about 30k in federal loans when I graduate. I am hoping to go into grad school for a PhD, but am only going to attend if I can get a fellowship with a stipend. Otherwise, I will go into the workforce and probably make about 25-45k annually to start depending on what I wind up doing.Right now I have about 2,000 to my name. No assets. Good to great credit. I live in Washington, DC, where things are pretty pricey. I pay for things with my federal loan money for now.My boyfriend is doing well for himself, making a living, saving what he can, and paying down his student loans. Well likely get married in a few years and I dont want my money fearsignorance to screw us up, nor do I want to mooch off of him.What can I do to ensure I start out on the right financial foot after I graduate, whether Im in grad school or employed, considering I dont have much and my parents cant help? And what kind of person can I go to for help with investingconsolidating loansgeneral financial advice? Like sit down with them, show them all my stuff, and they will give me options of what would be most beneficial?tl;dr: At a financial disadvantage money-wise and knowledge-wise. What can I do to ensure success and not fall into the traps my parents did? What kind of person could help me know my best options?  <response>: Hello there. You seem like you have a plan, and have a sensible mind by coming here for help. The first thing Id say is forget about your parents spending habits. They are not you. You want to take charge of your life, and not live paycheck to paycheck like most people. I also would say to not worry about the 30k of debt you will accumulate. That is a small amount of debt compared to most young graduates. It is very easily managed and could be payed off in two years at most with diligent saving habits. Id also say that dont count on your boyfriend for anything. You arent married yet, and things can change in a few years. 