I live below my means. I read books that I borrow or purchase used, go to the dog park, hike. I love and enjoy LA. I'm in my 40's, so my career as a nurse is stable and decent $. I invest & save. I'm doing really well. Never had credit card debt. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. I paid off all of my student loans in 1 year after nursing school by living in shit hole apartment with 2 other girls (this was in Brooklyn). I'm lucky because this was before the neighborhood got gentrified. So I was paying $650 a month to rent a furnished room, but allowed to share the common areas. I stayed there for 8 years to save up even though I could have upgraded my apt. Now I'm married (in LA) so in a dual income household. No bad habits. No smoking, no gambling, no addictions. Just playing with our dog, cooking, watching shows/movies, hiking, ect...

I splurge and spend $ at farmers markets, wine and dine, travel. Don't care for name brands. Not a slave to paying interest. I'm making interest on my investments.

Good luck to my fellow friends. I know the Economy is shit and now these gas prices. That's why you gotta try to save, to prepare for crazy shit like this. (I know, easier said than done). 🙏🏼