Ah, your 20s. You're supposed to be an adult...but you're not sure if you really feel like one quite yet. Being prepared for the future can help. There are several things you can do that might help you feel like you're taking on the world a little more responsibly.

1. Establish a budget...and then follow it.

Without a budget, you risk overspending, going into debt and under saving for your safety net and important future purposes. Differentiate between your needs, wants and dreams. List your daily expenses and recurring monthly payments to know what you will always spend monthly. Of the leftover money, decide how much is discretionary (read: fun!) income and how much should go into some sort of savings.

2. Build an emergency fund.

Cat need an emergency trip to the vet? Car broken down and you need to get to work on Monday? Here's where your emergency savings will help. Experts recommend having six months worth of expenses.

3. Get insured.

"But it's another expense!" you might say. It's much better shelling out a small payment monthly than ending up with a six thousand dollar car bill or worse, a one hundred thousand dollar hospital bill. Be sure to have car, health and rental/home insurance at a minimum.

4. Repay debt.

Debt is a reality of most twenty-somethings. If you have credit card debt, be strict with your budget, and tackle the highest-rate cards first. If you have student loans, try to pay more than the minimum payment monthly to trim how much you'll end up paying over time.

5. Start a retirement fund.

Experts usually recommend a Roth IRA for those who are younger and not earning as much as those more advanced in their careers. With a Roth IRA, contributions are taxed when being put in, so you can withdraw earnings tax-free when you turn 59 1/2. Yes, we promise that time will come -- sooner that you think.

6. Use public transportation or buy a used car.

In bigger cities, public transportation is often a less expensive option than owning a car. If it's necessary for you to own a vehicle, don't go for all the bells and whistles. A used reliable car (around two year old, with forty thousand miles) is your best bet until you have excess money in your pocket.

There you have it. Following the above tips should help you feel a little more secure in your future and help you take your -- gulp -- 30s by storm. And as always make sure to contact a qualified Schwarz Insurance agent if you have questions.