Grads, get going on financial to-do list

Congratulations to the Class of 2012 -- you face an improving job market.

Employers say they'll hire 10 percent more new graduates this year than they did in 2011, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, so you may get a decent paycheck.

But landing that job isn't the only piece of the money puzzle. There's a slew of money moves you should make now.

Here's a post-graduation to-do list.

Get health insurance. Sure, you're young and healthy, but an uninsured accident or appendectomy could crush your finances for years. The Obama health care law lets you stay on your parents' insurance plan until you're 26 as long as you're not eligible for a policy at your job.

If your parents' plan isn't an option, look for alternatives at eHealthInsurance (ehealthinsurance.com) and the federal government's health resource website (healthcare.gov). At least get a catastrophic plan so you're prepared for a serious accident or illness.

Learn to budget. That first paycheck will feel mighty big, but it's got to cover a lot of expenses. You'll find great free budgeting tools at Mint (Mint.com). The downside: Advertisers see your personal financial data. For privacy, buy personal finance software such as Quicken.

Find a better bank. Comparison shop for banking services at sites such as Bankrate (bankrate.com) and CheckingFinder (checkingfinder.com). Monthly fees can decimate an account too small to meet minimum balance requirements, so look for institutions that cut you a break if you opt for direct deposit of paychecks or agree to skip the branch visits and bank online.

Start saving automatically. Ask your employer to transfer money from each paycheck to your savings account, or arrange for your bank (or a money market mutual fund) to automatically pull money from your checking account every month.

Organize your debt. Payments on student loans are due even if you move and don't receive a bill. Make a list of your student loans now, notify the lenders of any change of address and put a heads-up on your calendar a few weeks before payments are due. Better yet, arrange to have payments automatically debited from your bank account, which may shave your interest rate, too.

Build your credit file. Get a free copy of your credit report at the government-supported site annualcreditreport.com and follow the site's directions to correct any errors in it. Use a credit card as a convenience and pay the balance in full every month.