Job: Credit analyst for Bank Cherokee, West St. Paul

Annual earnings: $30,000 to $35,000

Education: Graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stout, major in business administration, minor in banking and finance, 2002; Hayfield High School, Hayfield, Minn., 1998.

Last major purchase: 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Next major purchase: Probably a townhouse or home.

Smart money: Currently he has one just one credit card and is paying off his credit card debt.

Stupid money: At college, signed up for several credits cards, "all the majors."

Investments/savings plans. Planning to pay off credit card debt before starting a savings plan.

Advice: Stay away from the free T-shirt and other gift offers from the credit card companies on campus. Get a Roth IRA.

John J. Oslund