If you’re between 25 and 40, you’ve been called a lot of things: “Millennial.” “Gen Y.” “The internet generation.” You’ve also been unfairly stereotyped: “Entitled.” “Lazy.” “Self-indulgent.” And when it comes to money? More judgment: “Spendy.” “Undisciplined.” “Riddled with debt.” In some minds, you belong to a generation bankrupted by avocado toast.

Yet the facts are different: Millennials are actually averse to debt and are saving regularly.

And they face real challenges: high levels of student debt, high housing costs, uncertain job markets, and even skyrocketing avocado prices (kidding).

Despite these challenges, Millennials still have an unbeatable edge. They have more of what every “judgy” Gen Xer or Boomer wishes they had: time. 

And when it comes to saving and investing, time is money.

But it’s what you do with those extra years that count. For example:

• Have you written down your short-term and long-term financial goals? Having goals gives you a direction and a destination so you can track how well you’re doing.
• Do you save when you feel you can, or do you save like a robot? Automated savings free you from worrying about what you need versus what you want: the money you save becomes invisible—and temptation-proof.
• Are you debt smart? Not all debt is the same. So, unless you’re debt-free, you need to prioritize which debt to get rid of first, or if some debt (such as an RRSP loan) will let you invest in a way that will earn more than the cost of the loan.
• Are you debt smart? Not all debt is the same. So, unless you’re debt-free, you need to prioritize which debt to get rid of first, or if some debt (such as an RRSP loan) will let you invest in a way that will earn more than the cost of the loan.

So, feel free to enjoy some avocados along the way. As long as you start taking a few basic financial steps like these, in time you will find yourself miles ahead.