How to Not Be Spoiled - A Guide for Young Adults

1. Get a job before you turn 18.  Learn the value of money early.Unless you're away at a boarding school and on the path to become a world-class musician or artist, work your first job while you're still in high school.  Working early teaches many, many lessons and will help you mature into an adult faster.  Making your own money and learning to budget is the best way to learn the value of hard work and the real value of money.
2. Get a job right around the time you buy your first car.
   Getting a job and buying your first car go hand in hand, unless you live in a place like New York City where owning a car is unnecessary because of good public transportation.
   
3. Pay for at least half of your first car.
   You'll be grateful that you worked hard to pay for your own car.  Because your hard work and sweat paid for it, it's a lot less likely that you'll trash it or do something foolish to damage it.  Parents, it's not horrible if you help your child out to get their first car, but at least make them pay you back for a portion of it so they learn the responsibility of making payments and earning money.
4. Pay for your cell phone after you turn 18.
   If you took the previous big steps to adulthood and got a job while still in high school, you should be able to afford your own cell phone after high school (assuming you're still working).
5. Pay for your car insurance and registration after you have a job.
   Adults have to pay for their own car expenses, so the earlier you start putting this into practice, the less of a shock it will be when the responsibility becomes yours.
6. Pay for your own rent after you move out of the house.
   Mom and Dad should not have a big financial impact in your life after you move out of the house.  The financial umbilical cord should be completely severed, unless they occasionally help you pay for small things.
7. Pay a fair portion of rent, utilities, and food if you are living at home after age 21.
   If you must live at home after age 21, take responsibility and prepare yourself for real adult life by contributing to a fair portion of the rent, utilities, and food.  You'll be better prepared for leaving the nest when you can anticipate what your monthly bills will be when you finally move out.
8. Pay for all your living expenses after you move out of the house.
   This goes hand-in-hand with #6.  If Mom and Dad are covering too many of your expenses, it will be difficult to learn how much your bills really are when you're responsible for yourself.  Be an adult and pay for all your bills!
9. Work part-time during college
   Earn enough money to cover your cell phone, some restaurant meals, gas, and car insurance.  Working will help prevent you from going into debt and will prepare you for living on your own when your parents should not be paying bills for you.