Web links:

Consumer Credit Counseling Services http://www.cccservices.com/

Morningstar (A site about stocks, mutual funds and investments) www.morningstar.com

Financial calculators http://www.dinkytown.net

Web-based paycheck calculators http://www.paycheckcity.com

College Advantage, 529 Savings Plan http://www.collegeadvantage.com/

Social Security Online http://www.ssa.gov/

Franklin County Office on Aging (Senior Options) http://www.officeonaging.org/fcso/

Young adults

Right after young women graduate from high school they should develop a financial plan, said Sonya Major, financial housing counselor with Consumer Credit Counseling Service. "I just really think it's right from the get go."

It's vital to know where the cash is going as well. Now is the time to develop a budget and monitor it. "It gets too easy to kind of make each decision in a vacuum," said Jill Gianola, owner of Gianola Financial Planning.

Tips for this stage

• Open savings and checking accounts, if you haven't already.
• Develop an emergency fund.
• Make automatic retirement fund contributions.
• Start saving money to buy a house.
• Attend a free workshop on credit and managing finances.
• Balance the checkbook; don't just rely on bank statements.

Engaged couples/newly married women

Before getting married, women should discuss finances with their fiances'. "You have to ask questions," Major said. "Ask your significant other how much he has in his bank account when you're dating." It's also important to know your future husband's credit rating and whether he has ever balanced a checkbook.

The first five years of a marriage are "crucial" for establishing good financial plans, Gianola said. "This is where goal setting becomes really important because it's not just your goals, it's your partner's goals as well."

Tips for this stage

• Make it a habit to know your credit score.
• Begin estate planning.
• Ease into a joint bank account, which covers household expenses.
• Develop a solid bill-paying plan. Know who will pay what and when.
• Both spouses should contribute to their retirement accounts.

Expecting a new baby/young families

Before welcoming a baby into the family, women should have a solidly established emergency fund. (Major recommends at least 8 percent of a woman's monthly take-home pay for the fund, but more is better.) By this stage in life, good spending habits and financial budgets should also be well established.

If the child will require daycare, the experts suggest analyzing the impact this will have on the budget. "Now you need to go back and do an after-baby budget, which is going to look different," Gianola said. It's also wise to look at the costs and benefits of two working parents.

Tips for this stage

• Buy life insurance policies, if you haven't done so already.
• Establish a 529 college savings account for the baby.
• Start a family vacation fund.
• Continue to avoid credit card debt.
• Shop resale shops and garage sales for baby clothes.

Middle years

"Keeping your head above water" is the goal during a woman's middle years, when children are still in the home, Gianola said. During this time a woman has to take notice of her "human capital." If she has been out of the workforce, this may be the time to refresh job skills or return to college in preparation of re-entering the job market.

And as women continue good financial habits, this also is the time to teach children about money management. Gianola suggests giving children larger allowances, which come with larger responsibilities.

Tips for this stage

• Consider buying disability insurance.
• Review college and retirement savings plans and goals.
• Set aside money each payday for groceries. This will keep you from overspending at the store.
• Plan family events around free activities.
• Keep the checkbook updated. Major recommends stocking the car with a pencil and calculator, so debit card expenses can be immediately recorded.
• Develop a family fun night fund.

Close to retirement

As retirement inches ever closer, it's time to reduce debts. "You do not want to retire until you're ready--financially ready," Major said. Before retirement, meet with the company's human resources officer to review your 401K or other retirement plan and benefits. Women also can meet with someone at the Social Security Administration offices.

This is a good time to re-evaluate a retirement portfolio and ensure investments are diversified. "This is your chance to really make a big push to fund your nest egg," Gianola said. Women also should consider whether they plan to retire fully or keep a part-time job.

Tips for this stage

• Review your will.
• Develop a prescription and hospital fund.
• If applicable, sign up for the homestead exemption, which will lower homeowner taxes.
• Pay for funeral arrangements.
• Pay off home and cars.
• Contact Franklin County Senior Options, which helps those age 60 and older maintain independence.

Amber Stephens is a Columbus-area freelance writer and editor. Author of the book, Kissing in Columbus, she is also the mother of two young children.