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eskielover · Oct 03, 2009, 06:07 PM

((((((((Pegs)))))))),

Thank you for sharing such wonderful news.....I know the feeling......I came from a lower middle class (or maybe upper lower class) family here in the USA....money to get by each month of the good months or when the union wasn't out on strike.......God always provided though.....but had to save up to get anything that was wanted.

I went to college....got my BS in accounting & computer science.....had 3 job offers before graduation & ended up with an awesome paying aerospace engineering job......I had married a guy I met in college in one of my computer classes & he had finally got an engineering job several years before I graduated......looking at good money for income.

Only problem.....he liked to buy on credit.....I threw all my values away that I had learned about money when I was a child because it looked like I was doing so well, I would never have to worry. I got caught up in his thinking (he was already in debt before we got married & his parents paid off his credit card for our wedding present). I had to fight to get him to save & invest any money & before buying our second home, I took over the finances & got us out of debt (took several years) & that was on a 2 engineer salary.

When I lost my career & went into a huge depression, he took over the finances......he had learned NOTHING from what I had taught him & spending went right back to his style......went through all the 401k's we had stashed away....hospital bills started accruing & spending on things we didn't need to be spending on because he had no idea how to control himself.....& by that time I didn't care anymore about him or anything else.......right now, there is so much debt in collection, I have no idea but well over any amount possible to pay let alone pay on......so it sits there over our head. I finally left him & am getting by on what I have from disability......which just gets me by each month with nothing extra to save or put away for emergencies.

It is very important to save for emergencies as they will surly come....it is important NEVER buy on credit....even if it's on sale, you will end up spending more than the original price if you buy on credit no matter how much you save. These are all the things I knew but didn't practice when I had the money & now I regret being foolish with what I had.......budget no matter how much it looks good & stick to it. Buy the things you want to splurge on, but do it gradually as you can afford it & whatever you do....DO NOT get into the habit of sending.....it can actually be rather addicting & it is NOT a good thing.

Enjoy what you have & definitely be grateful without being fearful either about pinching pennys.......but do everything in moderation & wisely.......if something feels foolish from your past esperience....LISTEN to that feeling & don't do it.......live wisely with your new level of income & you will be fine in the future.....take it from my experience.....looking back at the regrets in spending is painful.

I know you are wise & will not fall into the foolishness that I did, but it's a trap waiting there to snare us when we have money we never were used to & it looks like it's so much at the time.

Take care & enjoy.....just don't overindulge,

Debbie