If the words 401(k), IRA and mutual fund seem foreign to you, or if you screen your calls because of those friendly jingles from your credit card company, breathe deeply, because help is here.

Beth Kobliner, author of Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance In Your Twenties and Thirties, offers tips for young people on everything from credit card debt to buying a home.

If you’re like most ISU students and others in their twenties, you probably haven’t thought much about your financial future.

One possible reason for this financial ignorance among young people is that much of the information available to them seems too complicated to read and is geared toward older couples with children or people already making a lot of money. But Kobliner set out to do something about that.

“I believe a lot is intentionally made confusing by brokers,” she said. “They want you to be confused so they can charge you for their help.”

Kobliner has been a writer for Money magazine for the last eight years. In 1994 and 1995, she was chosen as one of the country’s thirty most promising financial journalist under the age of 30.

One of the topics she tackles, and is a big problem for many college students, is that of credit cards and credit card debt.

She points out in her book that “Carrying a credit card balance can be hazardous to your financial health. Let’s say you’re 30 years old and you owe $3,500 on a credit card with an interest rate of 18 percent. “Even if you pay the minimum requirements every month, you still won’t be debt-free until you’re 70 years old.”

Kobliner explained her views on credit card companies and their attempts to attract a younger audience. “When I got out of school, I had to have my parents co-sign for me so I could get a card,” she said.

“Credit card companies tapped the older people so they aggressively went after a younger market. Now, they set up booths on campuses and resorts where college kids go. They know if you can’t pay, your parents will pick up the tab.”

She said the best investment you can make is to pay off your debt. “By paying off that debt, you’re in essence saving that amount,” she explained. “Paying off a credit card that has a 17 percent interest rate is equivalent to earning 17 percent.”

Get A Financial Life presents simple strategies for investing money when you don’t have a lot of it. Kobliner lists ten smart financial moves such as figuring out where your money goes, making sure you’re insured and don’t pay more to Uncle Sam than you have to.

“When I started writing this,” said Kobliner, “I thought, if I can understand it, anyone can.”

Even a soon-to-be ISU grad who has five credit cards, two loans and no assets? Well, she said anyone.