Stefanie O'Connell graduated from New YorkUniversity with a degree in drama and a big debt.With few job opportunities, she became cautious about her finances, that has led her onto acompletely different career path, as a financial expert.

Through her wealth management blog, she has discovered that a lot of millennials are just like her.

"They're wary of spending beyond their means, They're wary of tools like credit cards," she explained.

"They're wary of taking any kind of risk, even if it is a smart risk, like investing."

What O'Connell sees among her blog readers is supported by Federal Reserve data, which indicates the percentage of Americans under 35 who hold credit card debt has fallen to its lowest level since 1989.

Credit cards are an integral part of the U.S. financial system. Without one, it becomes harderfor young people to purchase many goods and services, from a cellphone to an apartment.

"It's critically important for a young person to build credit, to build strong credit,” Levin said.

“It doesn't mean that you over credit yourself, but it means that you are wise about your credit, you are a responsible payer, and you don't get yourself in over your head."

Apps like Level Money, also known as the financial GPS, can help young people build credit while living within their means.

The apps serve as an online adviser, helping they make better spending decisions and not godeeper into debt.

From writer Faiza Elmasry, I'm Faith Lapidus, VOANEWS.

斯蒂芬妮刚从纽约大学戏剧专业毕业时负债累累。那时候她手上没有几个工作机会，于是便对自己的财务打理谨慎起来。这也让她走上了一条与自身专业迥然不同的职业道路——理财师。

她通过自己的理财博客发现，很多千禧年毕业的学生都有类似的情况。

“共同点是：大家都不敢超出自己支付能力去支出，不敢使用信用卡这样的工具，也不敢冒任何风险，即便是像投资一样与收益同在的风险”。

美联储的数据也发现了与斯蒂芬妮一样的结果：35岁以下、持有信用卡的美国人比例已达到自1989年以来的历史新低。

信用卡是美国金融体系的有机组成部分。如果没有信用卡，现在的美国年轻人很难购买实物或服务，比如手机、住房等。

莱温表示，构建信贷能力，尤其是较强的信贷能力，对年轻人来说尤为重要。这并不代表年轻人要透支自己，而是代表着他们可以妥善经营自己的信贷，能够负责人地支出不会超出自己能力范围行事。

一些理财app，比如被称作金融GPS的Level Money，可以帮助年轻人在自身能力范围内构建信贷能力。

这些app可以作为在线顾问，帮助学生们更好地理性消费，不会深陷债务之中。

作者，法伊扎。感谢收听VOA新闻，我是费思。

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词汇解析：

1.beyond one's means 超出某人能力范围（反义词组在文中也有出现：within one's means）

It is not advisable to live beyond one's means.

生活费用超出收入是不可取的。

2. over one's head 超出某人理解范围，超过某人能力范围

Now, some of these things can prove things that are mathematically way over my head.

如今,这些程序都可以证明一些,令我头大的数学题了

3. integral 有机的，构成整体所必需的

Rituals, celebrations, and festivals form an integral part of every human society.

仪式、庆典和节日是每个人类社会不可缺少的组成部分。

4. millennial adj/n.千禧年的/千禧年出生的人

Above all, he focuses on inspiring and nurturing grassroots action by the 15- to 29-year-old “Millennial” generation.

最重要的是他注重鼓励和培养15-29岁千禧年一代的草根行动。