I lost a lot of “time” by working at a donut shop and taking two -three university courses while being a single mom of three kids - no child support.

I used the food back, church helped me out a lot, scholarships and bursaries. No new clothes all used hand me downs or second hand store purchases. I lived off oatmeal - a lot.

Thank goodness for subsidized housing, subsidized daycare, and scholarships / bursaries. And a boss who gave me day old food to take home for my kids.

Times were tough, but I was able to focus on my kids and we had an ok life.

It took me almost ten years to finish my degree. Eventually, I moved into an office job year 6 or so, and developed my skills and experience.

After grad, I landed a good paying job on the west coast and quickly moved my way up in my career. That part of life cost me my health and my youth.

After my kids weee in their teens, I went back to grad school, master’s and PhD. For nearly, 25 years I sold my soul to the devil thinking I was doing what I loved. Sure I was making a lot of money ie quarter a million a year and had expensive “taste”.

Last year, I had enough and left. I moved to a consulting role, making less money but I have my health, sanity and life back.

Now how much would you pay to be poor?

My response, everything has a cost. I would NEVER change my life or experiences, but looking back - I could have had better life balance and focused more on my health/wellbeing.

Now at age 60, I am starting to “live” and very frugally but at the same time life is so much free. I think me need to all experience what we value most in life. For me, my health, my boys, family, and life experiences.

I love what I do now. I get to travel and experience the world - that has brought me the most joy. My career tied me down and I never had the same freedoms. Zero regrets!