1. Live below your means 2. Delay gratification 3. “ consume and make the other guy rich, invest and make yourself rich” - Napoleon Hill 4. Be persistent, focus, passionate The above has made me rich. Left school at 16yo with no qualifications…but I had a great work ethic. Saved $30k before I was 20yo. My now 31yo daughter the same. Left school unqualified by 16yo but same great work ethic. She saved $160k by 22yo, already has her first home. We both don’t drink alcohol and hate shopping !!

PP, I had a meeting today with a little old lady in her 80s. Her husband died recently. He was a blue collar worker, no big wages. She taught home economics at local school. They lived frugal and below their means. He started investing a little in their early marriage. He died recently and she learned that she had 2 million she didn’t know about. She donated 100k to our nursing school for scholarships. I was so touched by her generosity. No flashy incomes, just 45 years of faithfully going to work and living below their means.

Some people I know are always broke, then they got a $25000 gift from a deceased relative and instead of paying off debt they blew it all on a massive trip for their family of 5 plus brought grandma along...so she could babysit while they went out on the town each night. I just shook my head. It was gone in one week, and they were once again broke. POVERTY MINDSET.

I am a senior with an extremely low income (HUD scale), no debt, and still able to save every month.

I'm a railroader and make great money but live in a house, paid for, worth maybe 150k at 1ksqft. I always get laughed at for not owning a half million dollar home like the rest of society making well over 100k a year. No debt, everything paid for and over a mil in retirement on top of my railroad retirement.

I spent my 20's being stupid. I spent my early 30's recovering from stupidity. And I spent my 40s and 50s creating wealth. We all have lessons to learn. Hopefully sooner than later.

I’m poor because I made some very bad choices when I was a young adult. Now I’m paying the financial price for that. No excuses. I own it. I do try to do better now.

My 90-year-old father lives in a senior community, and complains about how all of his friends are acting old. :)

As a low income Canadian senior, I just wanted to say that I have sometimes been broke, but I've never been poor. Poor is a state of mind.

Being hooked on cigarettes, pot, and / or alcohol will suck up your money

We love the simplest life, DND, video games, hiking, working out, cooking mostly at home (99%,). We have never been happier.

I HAD a friend (for years and years) who was everything you mentioned. Always had a problem, always broke, always sick (supposedly), always on pain meds (!). I tried and tried to help her (she said she wanted me to help her) but she would not do anything I suggested. Her husband died and then she was really in a mess, still wouldn't try to help herself. One week I bought her groceries (she had no money), the next week she called and said she needed me to take her to town. She didn't want to ask her sister-in-law who lived across the street because she doesn't like her or she would have to drive herself and she was feeling woozy (pain meds???). That was the end. I told her I had an appointment and she would have to take care of herself. I haven't talked to her since (a year) but I have seen in the local newspaper that her house is in foreclosure. I don't know what she is going to do and I'm glad I am out of that toxic "friendship" or I would have to listen to all of that. Sorry folks, I just had to vent!

A Divorce made me poor really Quick 💰💰💰💰

My husband and I lived in a studio apt until we found a foreclosed 563sq ft condo. Paid off mortgage in 2yrs 11mo. EVERYONE made fun of us because we went no where for that time except library for videos, music and books. Stayed in same condo for 18 yrs to afford private school for the kid. Kid graduated w/ honors and got full ride to state university. Our income had steadily increased from starting at $50k but so had our savings so we Were able to buy next condo cash and now old condo is rental. We own very little, we buy used cars that we can pay off in a yr. When we need something we try to borrow or get used. Our emergency fund has almost 1 yr of our income since we have elderly parents that could need our help at any minute. We spend our money on experiences with family like hiking great places and going surf fishing. We have established monthly charity debits which brings us great joy. Especially KIVA which makes loans to poor entrepreneurs. Every month we get to see the 8-10 small businesses that we gave startup capital to and how they repaid their loan to loan to the next small business. It’s not like all this occurred without tragedies and extreme sacrifice throughout the process but when you make the hard but right decisions the horrors of life are quicker to recover from.

I'm a retired assistant teacher for special education. I chose this low paying profession because I wanted to make a difference and pass it on. I take responsibility for that. However, living a humble life is also my spiritual path. I am happy. No pity party here...

I was brought up with a poverty mindset but started to educate myself about money matters at about 40 when I happened to come across a book called Your Money or Your Life. I radically changed my life. Got rid of all debt. Lived frugally and saved and invested everything I could. I made some silly mistakes aling the way, but basically I am now secure in my retirement.

I can't stand the excuse when people say, "I don't have the patience." Patience is learned. Not something you have.

Take heart!! A friend of mine had congenital brain damage from being born with the cord around her neck, so she only went to about 3rd -4th grade education. She knew her numbers & letters, but couldn't read more than several 3 letter words. BUT her memory was phenomenal & she picked up many ideas by watching the nightly news. She kept track of a medical team of 15 specialists & knew what each of their specialties in her care was. She survived as a disabled adult child on her father's low income social securities earnings record & food stamps & food boxes, etc. However, she was very kindhearted & sought to volunteer in several groups, spreading her experiences to others... So EVERYONE has a needed function in our society!! Get off the couch & start moving!!

I don't buy in shops. Amazon is for me. I can budget for necessary purchases. Love browsing online but if I see something that tempts me, I put it in my wishlist and wait 24 hours. Guess what? They usually stay there until a family member asks me 'what would you like for your birthday/Christmas present? Time to check my wishlist. I'm only buying replacement items these days. Delayed gratification really works for me!

Watching this with my 14 year old and she said, “wow mom, that’s everything you always tell us “ 😅 I think her watching you talk had a big impact, and solidified some things that I always say. Thank you for being you ❤

UGH. When a guy doesn't willingly pay to support the child(ren) he created, that's a HUGE red flag! There's absolutely no justification for that.

Poor health and disability may be the only reasonable excuse for being poor in this country. Health is wealth.

I would never advocate fear, but fear is what kept me from being poor. Fear of being hungry. Fear of being homeless. Fear that my handicapped child won't be taken care of after I'm gone. I know a lot of people who simple don't have any fear. As far as the mortgage issue, I never saw it as what the interest rate was. I saw it as "if TSHTF I don't own my home and I'll be homeless." I wanted to own my home, free and clear, if nothing else. Taxes and insurance are cheaper than rent where I live. Great video!

I had a sister that was so envious that I had managed my savings well enough to retire at 55, saying things to poke at me as if it was something I did that made her stay poor. Mind you, she was a nurse and many years made more than I did but every time there was a financial crisis it was always “why does this always happen to me?” And no planning beyond five minutes in the future for emergencies. So I’ve seen a lot of what you’re talking about. But I’m one of the “millionaires next door” that no one would guess it was true, except I don’t go to work. Don’t need all the big toys, the fancy furniture or designer clothes. AND I no longer have to work at a stressful job to support all that stuff either. Love your blunt advice. More people should take it to heart.

I'm poor because I chose as a single mom to be home with my children and worked only part time and the hours they were in school. Because of that choice, now at 68 I am still poor, BUT my sons, even though legally blind are honest, kind, generous with careers and living on their own. AND I'm still "poor?" Poor is a state of mind. Poor depends entirely on what you consider of value.

I totally relate to the "kids" thing. I've met a lot of poor couples who insist on having a lot of children and think they'll figure out how to support them later. It rarely works out well. It leads a lot of resentment and hurt feelings with the parents being stuck in dead end jobs and the children feeling like a burden for all the misery the family is going through.

I'm 56 and starting over after major health issues so I'm going to listen to everything you say.

Great video! I am on full disability and have more money saved than I ever did when I worked! It is all about priorities! I have 2 friends that are on disability and struggle because they don't know how to manage their money! I drive a 2010 car, pay $25 a month for my cell (flip phone). Watch movies at home with my partner. We live in a new manufactured home instead of a $400K home.

I was born into poverty. It took lots of hard work and sacrifice to escape. I have to break generational for my daughter.

Amber you are 100% spot on with your comments . Generational poverty mindset is absolutely a thing . Instant gratification and being a sheep is another problem ie; keeping up with the Joneses .

My son had (had not has) a friend who was one step away from being homeless. We let him live with us for around 10 months. We paid for his every need. He refused to help around the house or yard (I did get him to plant some carrot seeds and cook some meals). He'd say, "All I want to do is play my drums." The last straw was when he complained that I didn't buy him the kind of toothbrush he liked so we told him he couldn't come back to our house. We took all of his possessions to his brother's house (no one in his family would take the person who lived with us because they all got burned, too). It was very upsetting emotionally to kick him out because I thought I was being a nasty, uncaring person for doing it, but with the passing of time I realized we did the right thing. We were told to change all of our locks immediately so he couldn't get into the house (yes, we'd given him a key). That was expensive. He left the mattress he slept on stinky which I had to deodorize with lots of baking soda. He'd miss the toilet when he urinated and not clean it up. These things, among others, made him very unpleasant to be around. If I were given a place to live for free with a family member or a friend I'd be on my knees scrubbing floors, cleaning their house, cooking, weeding their yard and anything else I could do to show my appreciation and to earn my keep.

Low self esteem and not believing in yourself can keep someone poor because they lack the confidence to put themselves out there to succeed. My mum is like this and yes i gew up in the welfare system. Luckily i have a different mindset and hence watch Prepper's videos as i wil make sure to make better money and life decisions than both my parents did.

I got tired of helping a friend who kept saying “I’m lazy!” She and I eventually went our separate ways peacefully.

I have decided to sell my three bedroom two bath house and take that money and pay off all my debts put some money in savings and then hopefully I’m going to find a tiny home or a small one bedroom one bath home for half the cost. Wish me luck y’all!😅

If a person wants to choose overworking instead of spending time with their children and properly raising them, they better not procreate. Childhood emotional neglect runs deep and will produce a lifetime of pain and isn't just easy to overcome.

What always blows my mind are people who are capable of paying off their mortgage, but don't for a million dumb...insane excuses.

I learned how to handle money from parents that lived through the depression. Live beneath your means. I have never had debt other than a small mortgage that I paided off early. Pay cash for your car and drive it into the ground. Being debt free is priceless.

My dad lived like he was poor and had no money.worked harder than any man I ever have known.He never bought anything new.He also paid cash for everything. his saying "I dont have any money,"his whole younger life he had 2 jobs and we raised heifers for people. He enjoyed fishing in his retirement years. He was tough as nails and never did I see him break when he really should have. Loved Jesus and died smiling in faith.He bought me and my sister foreclosures homes and my brothers. He was dieing @ 86 went out bought my mother a brand new car and they had a paid for home,and more than enough money for my mom to live on forever her whole life and then some. The young men of today could never compare or comprehend what living a rich life really is.

I'm retired. My pension is enough to pay my bills and have some money left over. I choose to work temporary jobs, even though I don't absolutely need to. The extra income allows me to enjoy my hobby (music lessons) and put more money into my investments. I'm saving for my future. It is very important to me to have a safe comfortable place to live when I'm no longer able to stay in my own home. I have no debt and plan to keep living that way.

There needs to be a life science class in schools that teach savings, investing, budgeting, cooking, cleaning and good manners so as an adult you can take care of yourself and be a good citizen.

Hi I've been living in USA for almost 18 years, always have two jobs, multiple streams of income. I work part time in grocery store, I see illiteracy with spelling ( I'm Polish and I have to correct customers when they type words in self checkout computer to find products) , illiteracy with even buying food - I don't buy processed food and I see so many people buying processed food complaining about prices that it's to expensive. But the won't cook home made meals that are cheaper. Some people with SNAP benefits buy coke, chips, sugar loaded cereals instead of healthy food. I mean I count every penny and my budget is maybe $ 120 a month . They always complain that it's so expensive, with brand new apple phones and michael kors bags ...it's like a nexus of universe.

I have lived in every economic status over my adult years, from being a single/divorced mom of three teenagers. But that's when I learned to garden and preserve food. Which was a huge savings for me. My frugal ways from then (2000-2012 I remarried in 2012) and I've kept ALL those frugal hacks to this day. I am in a much better financial state of life now. My husband works 60+ hours per week, I'm a homemaker, I still garden and preserve, raise a flock of chickens and am a ghost writer.

My mom was a single parent with my older sister and me. She only had an 8th grade education, because my grandpa told her she had to get a job. She worked for her oldest sister, who had 13 children. Ok after my parents divorce, she got a job as a housekeeper for a very well to do family. She worked as a housekeeper for 3 families, when she decided to get a different job. She got a job at a company that made the insides of radios, CBs, stereos, and I’m sure other electronics. She never told me we were poor, she never talked about money to me. I always had everything I needed. I always has a pool pass for the summer. She also took in foster care adults. She also would set rollers or pin curls in ladies hair. Being poor today, is very stressful! In the Uk, people are homeless because they can’t pay for the rent that keeps going higher and higher, they can’t pay their utilities, and when they get evicted from their flat/ apartment, the council says that they went to be homeless at their choice! This is so wrong! I understand that you own your home, are a millionaire, and live on very little amount of money for a month. But you don’t have the stressors that poor people have, the worries of being evicted l, not being able to pay the utilities, so they go without. It’s just not the same for you as it is for them! I’m not poor, I still have a mortgage, and 1 credit card debt which I s as m working on to pay it off. I sold my 5th wheel, my horse trailer yo pay off debt. I live below my means. But I don’t have the stressors that poor people have! People say, “ Get a job! Pay off your debt, work your way out of poverty!” That is easier said than done! Ok I’m getting off my soap box now. I just had to get this off my brain. Have a fantastic day! 💜🌻💜🌻💜🌻

I’m always excited when you post a new video! At almost 57 I can tell you time flies by…there really is no “later.” People have always made fun of my frugality (some good naturedly and some just mean) but I was able to retire at 54. Good thing since a job loss came out of the blue. Didn’t have to worry about not making the bills. Now I get to garden, create, babysit my grand baby and I still make a little bit of money selling things online.

So you and your husband are expecting your first baby, are living in a one bedroom apartment and think you have to now get a 2 bedroom apartment? No - you and your husband move your bed and dresser into the living room and give the baby the bedroom. I saw my young neighbors do this and was so impressed with their frugality and common sense.

I'm now in my late 60s and retired, but I still rigidly save at least 40% of my monthly income. When my monthly income arrives, I immediately transfer 40% of the money into savings accounts etc. If I have any money left over from the previous months budget, I also transfer that. By transferring the money it's not sitting in my current account tempting me into spending it.

ignorant? yes/no. most refuse to learn listen. I knew what may be considered a low intelligence cleaning person. However, they owned a beautiful home, and a brand new truck fully paid for. But they worked and were willing to work. Kind of simple. I was extremely impressed.

Disability is very complex. Just because a blind person can work does not mean people with other types of disabilities can. Do you realize that of all Ssdi recipients people who are blind are the most incentivized to supplement their benefits without losing them? They can earn much more than others on disability. I am on disability for ptsd. I did highly skilled work (with my big IQ). I went to college to advance my career (glass ceiling is low without a degree, especially being female). I went to work as a Risk Manager at a Native American casino one day expecting a normal work day only to have someone decide to jump off our parking garage roof. My job required me to be a liaison between law enforcement, coroners, etc. I spent the day looking at brain matter on a parking lot. I even got to watch the incident over and over agin via surveillance. My life changed instantly due to the trauma. Needless to say, I worked 10 more years with a weakened ability to cope with the nature of my work. My next job was handling claims for elder abuse. My ptsd was lit up constantly. I thought by getting a white collar job I could easily work to retirement. I never dreamed my mental capabilities would be severely diminished to the point that I was incapable of working in my profession of 30 years. In the last 10 years of working I lost 4 jobs. I was never fired before the incident. I know this is long but I just want to point out to you that the reasons people don’t work or can’t work go beyond the simplistic opinions you present. On a different note, I subscribe and enjoy watching your videos.

Poor is definitely a mindset. I've been broke lots of times but I've never been poor. Even now, living on social security, I don't have a lot of money but I'm not poor.

@Prepper Princess Great comments! I want to add this: It seems to me that, like me, one of your top strengths is self-discipline. Your IQ can be off the charts, but if you don't have self-discipline, you'll struggle to take the right actions to change your circumstances. Likewise, probably ppl with average IQs but with high self-discipline achieve more than others who are smarter but who lack that strength.

Hate to admit, I was in the "I can't do it" group for a long time. I'm disabled and my Dr's gave me no hope.... was going to be in a wheelchair by 25. And it happened too. I learned then power of belief. It took a long time, but now I work a full time job, a part time job and I have 2 side hustles too. I save as much as I can every month and earn interest on it. I get where I need to go in an old Caravan and saving to replace that too. Everyone I know keeps telling me to stop working so much and funny enough, tell me I should buy a new vehicle in same sentence 😂. I'm striving day by day to not be poor.... mentally!!!!

If you have kids, teach them simple recipes like scrambled eggs, meatloaf, hamburgers, salads, spaghetti, and remember that if you eat too much fast food instead of cooking, they will follow your bad example. Teach them how to iron a shirt, clean a toilet and sink and have them do chores. Show them the power of compound interest, which Einstein called "man's greatest invention." Etc. etc.

I think you are wise. I live below your way and cost, and I fell great. Food, water, shelter. Anything beyond is a gift. ( simplicity & perspective

Summary: 1) Always learn about Improving your Finances. Increase your Financial Knowledge 2) Try to stay debt free 3) Try to Avoid Consumerism 4) Save as much as you can 5) Have Free or Cheaper Entertainment at least sometimes 6) Choose money over things 7) Take Advantage of Opportunities 8) Have a Positive Mindset. Avoid poverty mindset 9) Be Responsible 10) Set clear expectations and financial goals & try to achieve them step by step.

And yes I have my finances in order, and eat well. If you deprive yourself of proper nutrition you will definitely feel the effects down the road. Everything in moderation. I have more than a million in my portfolio and no debt.

Bad financial choices and not knowing how to manage money and useless job skills made me poor --- I made me poor. The other side of that coin is that I can get myself out of poverty.

Exactly... Endless excuses and never their fault. People constantly make themselves out to be victims by the actions of their owns choices.

Debt free with low overhead feels good.

I have a rule: never eat out twice in the same day. I am amazed by the number of people who do this - not to mention the cost and tipping, poorly prepared food with an overload of sodium and sugar. Give me a freakin' break.

Absolutely. Someone keeps telling me how I am too frugal. I know how to do without very well. They are in debt up to their eyeballs. It’s not a cute look, wearing designer things and being broke. 😂

Living in the moment with no hope/plan for the future.

"Act your wage." I like that.

My husband's family said we should live beyond our means and he should have 2 jobs. I am a lifelong Tightwad. We have no debt, kids are in their 40's, and we are doing OK. We retired from full-time work in our 50's. Tina, Al's wife

Oh I worked a job I hated but needed. My husband worked days and I worked evenings. I was a school custodian I was very pregnant I cleaned the restrooms and steps on my hands and knees. It was a hard job because I was pregnant but I did it until I had the baby and looked for a different job.

We were flat broke when we had our child. Best decision ever made.

I always believe that it's not what you make, but how much you spend.

I have never seen anyone who thinks more like me in my whole life!!!! A kindred spirit.. woo hoo!!!!!

In my experience and I am 68 years old most people in working-class are taught to hate on people that have more than them. They talk ugly about their bosses and called him greedy and selfish. Anyone who escapes the working-class they say they did it by cheating or stealing. We never talk about money and we seldom have strangers to our home not that our house is fancy or large but it just might be nicer than theirs and it creates envy and resentment. If you think about it that's what keeps them poor. If they think people that are not poor are greedy and selfish and evil they don't want to be greedy and selfish and evil so they hold themselves back by being wasteful and childish.

I'm working hard to not care what relatives, co-workers, etc. think about the fact that I don't waste money or extra money on: coffee (brew my own @ home), clothes, jewelry, cut flowers, expensive shoes, expensive purses, etc. I buy sensible shoes, purse, clothes, plants (instead of cut flowers), etc. Mainly purchase necessities & try to never go overboard when purchase items for family members. It's not always easy, but I truly think that I need to take care of myself. No one is necessarily going to take care of you when & if financially, it may be difficult.❤🙏🏼

Alcohol drugs and other addictions keep people poor.

A car is just transportation, folks. An expense. If you get a raise and your basic needs are being met, then bank the raise!! Have your employer, credit union or bank make a direct deposit into your a savings account automatically, of the amount of your new raise. Don't get used to having it available to waste. Don't let it be "easy come, easy go." Learn to "window shop" and not spend. I see something at the mall that is nice and I say to myself, "If I buy this, my whole life will change!" Then I laugh, don't buy it and continue my window shopping. I saw a $200,000 diamond necklace in a jeweler's window once, and I said to myself, "Gee, that's a condo right there in the window." And laughed again.

My husband and I very early on always loved below our means and we still do. We bought a very modest home that many consider a “starter” home and have lived in it for 12 years now. We don’t plan on moving to the next “bigger and better” home like all our friends. We have one car and it’s paid off. We love living simple, frugal, and the peace that comes with it. I wish more people would listen to your videos and actually live it. I love your videos!

Thank u for trying to help people

Who tells the truth and looks behind the " consumer" curtain is usually NOT very popular .I like the video a lot! ✌️

That story you told about your friend certainly resonates with me. Humans can be so strange in their self-defeating behaviour. I've known people like that guy. Still, kudos to you for trying to help him.

Thank you for this! I needed to hear it! Im the queen of excuses!

I’ve been watching you FOREVER…you are still one of my all time financial channel favorites. Thank you Prepper Princess.

I tryed to help a homeless person, he lived with me for free until I heard him tell another homeless person to leave me alone because this was his action. I felt used so I kicked him out.

I love that expression 'Act your Wage!'

Your dogs couldn't keep quiet, they had to cheer you on! See how much they love you?

That former "friend" you were talking about sounds JUST LIKE my exboyfriend. He would spend every penny of every paycheck every single week. Didn't even have a bank account. What a complete LOSER...

I will be 62 years old in a few months. I have helped many, many people and have lost a lot of money learning this one thing...By the time someone is an adult, especially with children, if they don't have their life together, they never will. Nothing but excuses or blaming others is a habit formed early in life and I have never seen the habit broken once formed. I know which of my friends are like this and after allowing myself to be taken advantage of one too many times I no longer offer to help.

I believe where there is a will there is a way. I live on about $1500 a month for a family of 5 and there is a car payment and a mortgage.

I discovered your channel lately, really enjoyed. I have the same mind set as you. No kids, just a dog. No debt. Worked hard in the past 15 years. Not sure what my IQ is, but I have a master's degree. I may not be the smartest person, my strength is steady pace and consistent effort. I am working on my youtube channel, hopefully it will become passive income one day.

I have a child with "inattentive A.D.H.D". The stats say if a child has it, there's a VERY good chance atleast 1 parent does.🙋 Impulsivity is a big problem for A.D.H.Der's. So is inability to focus on and reach goals (our focus gets scattered & we HATE doing anything boring). I'm VERY impulsive. So is my kiddo. Money just slips through his fingers SO fast. With me, its impulsive snacking! I say this because I TRULY believe that a lot of adults go undiagnosed with mental illness or learning disabilities. With the right diagnosis & help, they could gain "executive functioning tools" to completely turn their overspending (or overeating) around. Im not saying to use a diagnosis as an excuse. Don't be a victim! Use it to empower yourself & make a better future for yourself. Even if you cant afford professional help, you can STILL find information on-line. Take responsibility. ♥️🇨🇦

As always another great video. Sometimes bad things happen to good people but most often it’s good people making bad choices.

Some people with disabilities can work, some can't. It depends on the type of disability. Disability, dependency, continual medical expenses, fixed income. That's why some people become poor and remain that way.

Literacy is my passion. Here are the two things I hear: 1. “I can’t take the risk that the author’s thoughts might supplant my own.”😮 2. “Books are all filled with LIES!”👹

Our son and a buddy of his both graduated college and moved in with us for two years to pay off their student loans…thankfully our son listened to us and is now debt free but his buddy kept hoping for the government to forgive his loans and never paid extra on the principal….he went home to visit his grandmother and came back with a brand new car! He is in so much debt - what was once achievable is now just hopeless. He eventually moved out and is living with a friend in a bad part of town. All we did was enable him 😢

Most all problems with people boil down to lack of personal responsibility & unable to accept delayed gratification.

I'm a single mom of two you kids. I work a full time job and would love to work a second but I'm currently a graduate student as well. I'm hoping the graduate degree will help me increase my income in the long term.

In order to be a leader, one must know how to be a follower first. Being a good follower means accepting orders (people telling you what to do...especially if what they tell you is good for you).

I'm poor because I'm 19, started in horrible hands. Parents are violent felons, abusive and neglectful. So. I turned 18. I didn't have a copy of my birth certificate or social security card. To get my birth certificate I had to get stuff from the highschool I dropped out of immediately, stuff from doctors I had when I was much younger so that was hard to find.. managed to get the birth certificate and was easier to get my social security card. Was suddenly able to have a job ! I needed someone to drive me because I couldn't get a car until I had money from the job and couldn't get my lisence until I got those 2 things anyway and my parents refused to sign for drivers ed and at the time had nobody to teach me. Bought a car before setting up an appointment even. Set up the appointment, managed to learn to drive within 2 weeks once I got kicked out, passed the tests ! Didn't have a doctor for 7 years, got a doctor ! Unfortunately lost medicaid so that octor is useless until I figure something out.. have weird symptoms, in a lot of pain but the appointment will be 500$ out of pocket and I'm not gonna use my credit card. Oh yes and I got a credit card! No dept. No bad credit, building credit.. I don't really know why I need credit but I'll find out later. Regardless of my pain, I've figured out jobs I CAN work and am trying to find any other options that pay more. Have had other jobs where I was not safe and had to leave far too often. I only was not homeless when I was kicked out because of a very nice lady who unfortunately doesn't want money and refused to let me pay rent.. and is now kicking me out because she wants the other spare room back.. I've applied to apartments I technically cannot afford and am not getting in. So now. I'm nearing homelessness again as I was a lot as a kid. Still trying to not give up but trying to work around all this is so tough when I'm traumatized and suicidal and don't have the money to get help with that stuff either.. Honestly more worried about trying to not kill myself because I have a dog than money. Won't be able to work day shift because of my dog if I'm homeless and then won't be able to sleep in my 160 degree car with my dog... where.

The best thing I did when I was married to my ex was live in a cheap apartment for 5 years before kids and save all my income. We lived only on his income and I’ve never had a mortgage.

Nailed it. Love family. Grew up with strong work ethics and content with being debt free and independent. Respect yourself and others. Joy doesn't come from things.

I think the secret is to be a hybrid consumer. I love exotic holidays and organic food, but I save on everything else. And somehow I'm able to work part time, to feed my family and to invest all at the same time.

Lol, my debt is ALL my fault!!! No one elses. My mom spent every dime she made, my dad who became quite wealthy after he left my mom, was never around to teach me about money....

Don't buy things to impress people you don't like. Don't listen to broke people. Money doesn't solve problems regardless of what most broke people say...look at how many lottery winners & pro athletes that go broke again😢

Keep being you, and keep being true. Thanks for the kick-in-the-butt we sometimes need. 😀 And the doggos!!!

I canceled my cable, and I’ve got Roku! Next step is switching to Mint Mobile 👍! Thank you PP for the great advice!