Our needs and concerns charge as we move through the financial stages of our lives Here's a brief overview of those stages and some of the financial issues you'll probably need to think about.

Ages 0-20. You're most likely through this stage, but your kids may nor be. Help them succeed in the remaining financial stages of their lives by teaching them round financial habits. Show them how to budget an allowance. Open their first savings account. Once they start earning money, open an individual retirement account to teach them how to invest for retirement.

Ages 21-30. Establish good credit. Learn to use credit cards wisely. Whittle down any college debts as quickly as possible to free up money for investing and other financial needs. Start saving at least five to ten percent of your income for retirement, ideally in a tax deferred retirement plan. Time is on your side, and time is what makes money grow. Learn good spending, debt management and savings habits-they'll pay off big the rest of your life. Sock away the down payment on a home. If you marry, do some pre marriage financial planning. Clashing money management styles are a leading cause of divorce. Buy life insurance, and if you work, buy disability insurance-people are depending financially on you now. Be sure you have medical coverage for you and your family, even if it's not provided at work. Draft a will, married or not, and a power of attorney and a living will in the event you're incapacitated.

Ages 31-40. You may be into your second or third (and more expensive) home. Children are being born, getting older, getting more expensive. You're probably feeling financially pinched by now, even if you're earning more. However, don't suspend making contributions to your retirement fund. If it comes down to a choice between funding college or funding retirement, many Certified Financial Planner practitioners recommend that retirement should take priority. Kids can always find other methods to finance their way through college. No one else is going to pay for your retirement. Update your will, if necessary, and periodically review your life insurance to make sure it is adequate, especially if you have children

Ages 41-50. You're probably in the stride of your career. Keep socking away for retirement. One thing to consider at this stage is aging parents. Will they be able to financially take care of themselves should they need home health care or a nursing home? Or will you be expected to pay some of the bill? Consider buying long-term care insurance for them if they can't afford it. Discuss with them their potential financial needs and concerns. Make sure their estate plan is in place.

Ages 51-60. Expenses may start to ease off in this stage as your children reach maturity and-you hope-move out of the house. Beef up your retirement contributions to at least 15 percent, maybe 20 percent or more, of your income. This will probably be the last good stretch to really sock it away. Start getting serious about your vision of retirement, too. It will make a difference in how you plan Don't get too conservative in your investing at this stage, even if you plan to retire soon. You've got a lot of years of living left and plenty of time to weather market ups and downs. Get serious about an estate plan.

Ages 61-70. Study your Social Security and Medicare options to make sure you take full advantage of them. Be sure you don't have gaps in medical coverage if you retire before you're qualified for Medicare. Consider working part-time in retirement. A rocking chair can get boring after a while. Buy long term care insurance if you haven't already. Carefully review retirement plan layout options. How you choose is immensely important. Absolutely have an estate plan. Investments may grow more conservative but should not be too conservative, say many planners. With good health, you'll have many years left to live in retirement and you'll need your nest egg to stay ahead of inflation.

Ages 70 and beyond. Hey, slow down and enjoy. You've earned it! Talk to your kids about your estate.

December -30- 1999