Nothing is more frustrating today than managing money with mounting college student loan debt. The student loans placed on students today are the highest they’ve ever been, and balancing out payments, plus an apartment and utilities, is no easy feat for a lot of 20-year-olds.

Your 20s are likely to hold plenty of exciting life changes, such as advancing your career, and getting married – maybe even starting a family. Here are 5 money management tips to keep in mind while moving forward:

1. Pay Down Debt: Aggressively pay down your debt, no matter how pressing it may be. The longer you carry around debt, the more you’ll be prevented from pursuing your other goals.
2. Review Your Budget: It’s good practice to constantly review and revise your budget. Make sure you’re budgeting for what matters to you now. What matters to you one month could entirely change the next month.
3. Savings: Your 20s are a critical time to open up a savings account and start investing in retirement. Open a fund and start putting money away for both short and long-term goals.
4. Insurance Coverage: Though insurance is no cheap commodity for many today, it’s a necessary evil if you want to stay calm and protected. Be sure to have, at least, health insurance and car insurance. Otherwise, you could be looking at a catastrophic monetary meltdown down the line.
5. Peruse Job Openings: If the job you hold now cannot meet your financial needs, it’s ok to sift around the Internet and consider some higher paying jobs. You never know, you just might get that interview call!

Money management is no easy task for anyone. If you’re stressed, just know you’re normal. Follow these tips to get a better handle on your financial pressures.