Lessons I’ve Learned: This is going to be different for everyone unfortunately, but learn how to be patient with money. For me, it took buying Monopoly for my iPod Nano and playing it on the subway. I didn’t buy it with the intent of it teaching me a life lesson, but it did. I found myself being more patient and more understanding with budgeting in my own life.
Whatever it takes, learn how to manage, budget, prioritize, and save money. Sometimes you don’t even have to do these things, just understand them and how to do them. And I only mean in a personal way, but doing it for yourself personally, which is simpler, helps you do it for a business, which is more complicated (if that applies to you).
Learn how to resist splurging, or else budget for it (this was really hard for me).
I also read Personal Finance for Dummies, How to Invest $50-$5,000, and a number of blogs that cover personal finance. I don’t read most of them anymore because I feel I’ve got a handle on the important parts. But it was great for a few months to have key points drilled into me daily.
Oh, and get out of debt. Now. Make it the most important thing. Seriously.