I think if I went back in time to talk to my younger self, the most important advice I would give myself in a financial aspect would be to have multiple income streams.

I make a pretty good salary, but the huge amount of expenses it takes to raise a large family makes it a constant fight to stay above water financially.

A side business or two that are low risk with a minimal capital investment and some elbow grease that you can nurture over a lifetime would have been a great idea to have implanted in my younger self...