The University of Wisconsin's College
Republicans sponsored a financial planning speaker Tuesday night to
help students understand how to save money after college.

UW alumnus Todd Bramson of the North
Star Resource Group said most college students graduate feeling they
are in debt. However, he says there are numerous ways to accumulate
net worth.

"Chances are you'll graduate with a
negative net worth," Bramsom admitted, but said zero net worth is
not necessarily bad for recent graduates.

By recalculating one’s assets, Bramson
said one may have more worth than they previously thought. Through
Bramson's "Pyramid of Financial Needs," students can see their
options once their net worth increases.

"People always say they're fiscally
responsible, but no one really knows what that means," College
Republicans Vice Chair Mattie Duppler said. "So many students feel
like they're just set with their credit cards, but there are other
ways to understand how to keep and store your money."

The pyramid displays basic financial
processes — emergency reserves, debt and risk management — at the
bottom, which students would first become familiar with. Toward the
top of the pyramid is speculation and "potential wealth success,"
which tells students when their income levels are high enough to take
risks with their money, Bramson said.

"A lot of college students are also
always focused on the here and now, but [this lecture] was very
futuristic thinking and directed at us," Duppler said. "It's
really good exposure to economics, especially for those graduating
this year."

To provide a simplified explanation of
tax forms, Bramson consolidated a 40-page tax form to one page. He
also emphasized the importance of understanding tax brackets so
students can save the most money.

"You need to know how much your
dollars are being taxed at," Bramson said. "All it takes is one
dollar from an account your parents set up when you were 4, and
you're in the upper tax bracket."

Bramsom also encouraged students to put
money in Roth IRA accounts to ensure tax-free growth. He also advised
against investing short-term money in the stock market, and suggested
using money market mutual funds instead.

"A common mistake among college
students is their short-term money is invested too aggressively and
their long-term money too conservatively," Bramsom said. "[Money
market mutual funds] are completely liquid and completely safe."

According to College Republicans Chair
Sara Mikolajczak, the club has been meaning to discuss fiscal
responsibility for a while. Recent UW graduate Ryan Keshemberg, who
works for North Star, asked Mikolajczak to arrange the presentation,
and she agreed.

"A lot of people around campus focus
only on social issues and not so much the financial aspect, so it's
a good idea to learn about something we didn't know that much
about," Mikolajczak said. "It's a real-world advantage and
responsibility."