- Work hard.
- Spend less than you make
- Pay off all of your debts.
- Save to buy instead of borrow unless it is absolutely necessary to function.
- Value people more than stuff.
- Take care of family, but don't neglect yourself (If you fall apart, you can't take care of your family).
- Don't buy too big of a house.  A big house requires more energy, more repairs, more taxes, more insurance, and a lot more time and energy to keep clean.
- Dogs are wonderful.
- Marriage is wonderful, but don't rush into it with the wrong person and don't put it off due to a career or other selfish interests.  Marriage is work, but worth it.
- Kids are wonderful. 
- Homeschooling is wonderful.  It is best for the kids, but is also a blessing to the parents and to the relationship between kids and parents.  Homeschooling is even best for the exceptionally gifted (like my eldest) and special needs (like my youngest).
- Trust Jesus. Learn the Bible. Share the Gospel.  Obey God's commands.

I am in my 50s.  I am doing well financially, not because I made a ton of money, but because I lived meagerly for the first 10-20 years of my adulthood.  I borrowed for my first car, but I paid it off early, drove it for 12 years, and never borrowed for a car again.  I borrowed for my house, but put down 20% and paid it off early.  Now, with no car payments and no house payment, I can live comfortably without a large income.  When you are young, you can do the extra work.  When you are older, it is so much harder.  Make it easier on your older self.