What 30-somethings Earn

Your 30s: Now's the time to get ahead

At this point of your life, you're starting to see financial gains -- or the first signs that things might not work out as planned. Here's how you compare to your peers and where to find help.

The 30s are a real make-or-break decade for many people.

Your income is rising, but so are your expenses and debts. Most families in this age bracket have children, who, wonderful though they are, tend to boost living costs.

Homeownership brings risks and rewards as well. The majority of people 30 to 39 own their homes, and homeownership tends to build net worth. But all the attendant costs, including mortgages, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs, can be budget busters if you're not careful.

There's a reason the average age of a person filing for bankruptcy was 38. It's easy to go off the financial rails in this decade. Consider: