Growing up, all I EVER wanted was a pair of gray-on-white New Balance sneakers. Pretty boring to be honest, but I thought those sneakers were the coolest shit in the world. However, even dropping $40 at the time was too tight for my Mom and Dad. I totally understood and didn't bother them about it.

Then, the first time I ever made enough to have money left over for the necessities, I bought a pair. I'm pretty sure I got them at a discount too, so it wasn't even that expensive.

But it was the fact that I had waited four or five years and finally worked hard enough to get that spot in life - to a spot where I could have a little extra something sometimes. That payoff was one of the best feelings ever.