Life is all about lessons. We all have a few things to learn about life before we can live the befitting and amazing lifestyle of our dream. This has nothing to do with our gender or financial background. It’s all about the decisions we take and the way we live our lives. We might make a few mistakes in life and still get away with them. But, if we made wrong money decisions from time to time, we might be held in the stagnant pool of debt and bankruptcy for eternity.

Debt is inevitable but we can choose not to live in it. Debt may arise when we opt for a bank loan, a car loan, a credit card loan, or as a result of a bad penny stock or investment. All these debts have to be paid at their due dates. So, as you can see, we are not always immune from debt. But, with a few money lessons in practice, we’ll live a debt-free life. Here are the top five money lessons you need to learn as an adult.

1. Pay Off Your Debt As Quickly As Possible

Pay up your debt as quickly as you can. Don’t forget that more interest will accrue if you don’t pay off the loan on time. So, if you must opt for a loan, go for the one you can easily pay off.

2. Save Money Once You Are Free From Debt

Don’t be like people who splash a whole lot of money on celebration because they’ve just paid off their debts. Save the money on you, and you’ll not have to opt for a loan when there’s the need for money at a later time. It pays when you save more than you plan to spend.

3. Prepare For The Unexpected

From time to time, you’ll have a few things to spend money on as an adult. At times, unexpected issues arise within the family and you’ll just have to pay for one thing or the other. If there’s no money in your bank account, you’ll have to opt for a loan. But, if you always save money for the future, you won’t have to go into debt at all.

4. Don’t Co-Sign Anyone’s Loan

Don’t be too generous to the point of standing in for someone who wants to open a credit card, lease an apartment, or a car, even if the person is your child. Creditors, most times, tell people to look for someone with the credit history needed to co-sign their loan. Why? Financially, if they miss a payment, make a late payment, or stop paying altogether, you’ll be on the hook. Don’t allow anything to destroy your credit history.

5. Don’t Give Out What You Can’t Live Without

There’s the possibility of losing the money you lend out. So, don’t give out the money you can’t live without. Consult a financial adviser if you want to know the best way to invest your money. Save your money because that’s the smartest thing you can do with it.