Coming out of college in the current economic climate is a scary situation. Even assuming recent grads are lucky enough to be able to hit the ground running with a steady job, there are a lot of other factors to consider in order to maximize one's financial situation. There are many important questions to ask yourself. If I move out of my parents' house, should I rent or own? Should I save money and live at home for a few years? If I need a car, should I finance a new car or buy a less expensive used car? Should I pay off my student loans early or make low monthly payments? Each of these situations presents a different opportunity cost, and, really, the only right answer to any of the questions is to weigh the different outcomes and determine what will work best for you.