1. Don't Let Dealing With Debt Derail Other Financial Demands.
Between student loan debt from your 20s and other types of debt you incur for vital purchases, you need to accept that you won't be able to pay down all your debt by the time you're 40. But debt management doesn't always mean avoiding debt entirely.
Once you take care of the most onerous and burdensome types of debt, it's also important to start funneling money to other long-term financial needs.
Saving for your own retirement as well as your children's future expenses if you choose to have a family can give you an important head start that will make it a lot easier to manage your overall finances in the future.