Your financial needs change throughout your various life stages. Whether it's entering the workforce, getting married, raising a family, buying a home, changing careers, saving for your future or planning for your retirement. Planning ahead for each stage will help ensure you're ready for the changes that lie ahead.

Below are the typical life stages you will experience and what you should be thinking about as you enter each new phase.

Stage One - The Early Years (20s & 30s)
Your emphasis in this stage is on establishing the foundation of your financial future, such as getting started in your career, developing good spending habits, preparing a budget and establishing a saving pattern. The key to an enjoyable retirement is saving early, because when you reach your golden years, Social Security alone will not be enough. So, be sure to pay yourself first by having a set amount of each paycheck automatically deposited into a savings account. Also, take full advantage of employer-offered retirement plans. If your employer offers a 401(k) or 403(b) plan with matching funds, be sure to contribute as much as you can. Strive to contribute at least 10% or what your employer will match. This is also a time to identify ways to save for your goals, such as paying for a car, saving for a vacation or a down payment on a home. Working on these goals during this stage in your life will have a big impact on what you have saved for the future.

Stage Two - The Middle Years (40s & 50s)
In this stage, not only does your personal income rise, but so do your expenses. These are the years when you are most likely to raise a family, buy a home and save for your children's college education. The financial decisions you make during this stage will have the most impact on your "nest egg". If you haven't started putting money away for your retirement, it is very important that you start now. Put at least 20% of your income in a 401(k) or some other qualified plan. If you change careers, be sure to roll over your retirement funds into the new employer's plan or into an IRA. This may also be a good time to prepare an estate plan, like a Living Trust, Durable Power of Attorney-to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

Stage Three - The Golden Years (60s & 70s+)
These are the years that you've been preparing for—your retirement! At this stage, securing a steady income for your current lifestyle will be your main objective. You most likely will have paid off your major financial obligations, such as your Home Loan, Auto Loans, Credit Cards and children's school loans. And, if you started saving in your early years, you should be in good financial shape. Lastly, be sure you have adequate medical insurance, update your estate plan and most importantly, enjoy yourself!

For more information, check out our retirement calculators and articles.