As a young professional today, you are part of a generation with greater earning power and more advanced degrees than preceding ones—along with a fresh, holistic outlook on fi nancial success. Yes, you might have taken out more debt than previous generations, but that doesn’t mean you’re a slacker living off credit cards and takeout as media pundits would have people believe. Kimberly Palmer, the Alpha Consumer columnist for US News & World Report, frequently receives questions from twenty-, thirty-, and forty-something readers like you about making smart, sustainable life choices, including:

• What should I be doing with my savings?
• Should I take on freelance jobs?
• Where should I invest my money?
• Should I buy a house or keep renting?
• Does it make sense to share a mortgage with my significant other?
• Can I afford a baby?
• How can I support the causes I believe in?
• Should I start a nonprofit?

In Generation Earn, Palmer answers these questions—and many more—in three parts. Part one centers on the self, covering professional goals, personal spending, debt management, and investing. Part two focuses on creating a home, including renting, mortgages, marriage, and saving for baby. Part three addresses the world at large, including green spending, sustainable donating, and supporting nonprofits. Add it all up and you have a plan for every major decision you’ll have to make to create a successful life.