Dear Dave,

I'm 19 and about to start college. Thanks to my part-time job and generous parents, I'll be able to pay for college without student loans. Since I won't be borrowing money, what's my next financial step?

- Patrick

Dear Patrick,

Stay away from the free T-shirt tables. Those things always have credit cards hiding behind them. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. But since the money is already there for school, the only thing you really need to do is save all the cash you can for after graduation.

The first couple of years after college may be the most life-changing and volatile period of your life. If you keep working and saving like you have already, you'll have cash on hand for an emergency fund and to start your new life. Plus, you'll be able to plan for the future by investing in good, growth stock mutual funds, and maybe a Roth IRA after that.

- Dave