Back in 2008, before we were familiar with the terms "Great Recession" and "subprime mortgage crisis," U.S. News asked top money experts to share their advice for 20-somethings at the time. Even back then, young people found it difficult to land well-paying jobs and pay off their student loan debts. The advice that money experts offered still holds true today, on the other side of that recession.

Here's that roadmap, broken down by financial categories:

Spending. First jobs come with unavoidable start-up costs, such as a new suit and possibly wheels to match. Those expenses can easily overpower a starting salary. That's why Liz Weston, author of "The 10 Commandments of Money," recommends pretending that your new salary doesn't exist. "Most people would be better off if they continued to live like broke college students for a few years, until they get a handle on expenses," she says.

"Diminish your expectations," advises Tamara Draut, author of "Strapped." Small things such as bringing your lunch, buying coffee at a deli instead of a coffee shop and waiting to buy a new car can make a big difference, she says. Living at home for a few months after graduation can also provide financial breathing room, Draut adds.

But scrimping need not mean living on bread and water. "You do need little luxuries, and you can fit them in no matter how small [your income] is, but you can't have them all the time," says Carmen Wong Ulrich, author of "The Real Cost of Living" and host of Marketplace Money.

Credit card debt. Entering the workforce with credit card debt is not necessarily a bad thing, Ulrich says. "There are times in your life ... that you are using debt in a good, smart way," she says, such as buying a few work outfits and cheap furniture for a first apartment. As long as the purchases are necessary to your new professional life and are paid off quickly, she adds, it's not a problem.

But when debt accumulates, especially on multiple cards, it's time to crack down by paying as close as possible to the full balance each month. To decide which card to pay off first, check the credit limits, says Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com. Going over the limit can mean additional fees and can also hurt your credit rating. Even getting close to your credit limit can trigger credit card providers to increase interest rates, which will make it that much harder to pay off the debt. The next priority should be paying off cards with the highest interest rates to minimize interest payments.

Student loans. "Don't worry about student loan debt too much," Weston says, unless it's dominated by high-interest private loans. As long as most of it is locked in at lower rates, 20-somethings are better off putting their extra cash into high-yield savings accounts or retirement savings. Another advantage of student loans is that they tend to be flexible; loan companies may grant deferrals or forbearance to struggling borrowers going through temporary crunches, Weston adds. (Deferring doesn't stop interest from piling on more debt, so it's an option best reserved for emergencies.)

Paying late or missing payments altogether should be avoided at all costs, Draut cautions. Unless a borrower officially requests and receives a deferment or forbearance from the lender, missed payments can hurt your credit score.

Savings. Weston suggests a cushion of at least $500 for emergency expenses, like car repairs, to avoid racking up more credit card debt. Ideally, every worker should have up to six months of living costs stowed away in case of job loss, but Weston acknowledges that could take years and needn't be a top priority for younger workers.

Long-term goals. Financial dreams – such as retiring early, buying a house or traveling around the world – need not be put on hold for decades. But to make them a reality before middle age, they may need to be slightly massaged. For example, workers in many urban areas may find that homes downtown are unaffordable, but a place in the suburbs can be within reach, Ulrich says. "You have to alter your plan."

Retirement. Saving for retirement – another long-term goal – can also be temporarily deferred. While workers should try to take advantage of matching employer contributions to 401(k) and similar plans, saving above and beyond the level covered by the match can be nearly impossible for stretched entry-level workers. Still, Weston says young people should get in the habit of saving from their first paycheck: "You have the power of time behind you now."