As young adults, you might still think that you have no need to know how to control your personal finances and that subject is something that is too complicated for you to grasp, let alone put into practice. Take heed however that you can take charge of your personal finances as early as now and it would be better if you learned soonest so that you have more time to put your finances in order. This could be the wisest move you will ever make and will also make sure that you never have to go through any financial struggles ever.
One thing that you should have or learn to practice is self control. It may sound preachy and something that is so simple it could not possible work, but think about really, if you have self control, you will not overspend or buy things that you do not need. You will also know when to spend and when to spend. What to spend for and what not to spend for; when to use your credit card and also when not to use that credit card. Buying things using plastic may seem fun; like you are not spending real money, but you have to remember that you will be paying back your credit card debt using real money anyway. You do not want to pay for interest for things that are rather petty like boxes of cereal of an action figure.
One other thing that you will want to get a head start on is to make your financial decisions all on your own. This will save you from those canny financial management people who do not care about your financial well being but rather, are more focused on the commission they can get from you. How about that aunt if yours who is urging you to buy a house when you are not financially ready yet and all you can afford is a very unstable adjustable rate mortgage? You have to learn to make these decisions so that you can know your every financial move and know how your money is allocated every month.