I see so many people in today's day and age blowing their money, while putting their dreams on hold. For example, I know of a couple who blows all their disposable income and the husband isn't happy in his job. I often wonder why they don't use their money for him to go back to school to get trained for a career he enjoys. Do you invest in yourself and/or your dreams? If yes, how?

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I know alot of people like that. I have a friend who wants to be a SAHM but she says they can't afford it. Her husband makes alot more money than mine but they also have two new cars($$$) and a really nice house. I drive a car that is 7 years old and paid for and we have an average house. I felt like I was investing in myself and my DS by staying at home with him. I have always been one of those spend what you make kind of people so its funny that we still seem to have the same amount of money than when I worked! I don't know if that makes sense but we do.

I took a quilting class - it cost more than I was happy to part with but I felt it was an investment in a skill that will be quite useful. I do not have a lot of time to quilt now but I know I will when I cut my hours at work back and eventually retire. I plan on spending my old age making quilts for my family

I invest 20% of my pay to my retirement acct. I am hoping it will be enough to supplement my SSI provided it's still around.

In the meantime I budget certain things into my annual expenses so that I will always have the money to do them - I consider those activities my "soul food." Sometimes you need (or at least I do) to have or do certain things in your life that make all the sacrifices feel worthwhile. I consider that an investment in mental health. When i am going through a tough time whether it be emotional or financial knowing I am still going to Canada for Labor Day, or going to the annual Beer Expo always makes me feel better.

I was about readdy to Vent about this very thing. Some people don't have there priorities streight. My SIL is asking family to give her daughter Money for her 16th b-day so she can afford $300 for drivers ed because funds are tight. Funds are tight Yeah right she just showed up at our house with a new Motercycle they bought. She will have college tuition for her daughter in just 3 years and they spend money like it wasn't an issue.

Me we save everything we can, we save for retirement even though it means paying off debt slower. When we do spend we spend on our home. Yes I think it is important to have some fun now but you need limits. I hope to get my masters once my kids are in school.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma

Recently, I spent several thousand I had saved up in my name (not our joint savings) to get started in Real Estate. In my class our teacher told us you need to have 5,000 saved to get started, man she wan't kiddin'! Of course one commission pays yourself back, but it was a big step for me to put it all towards it in the first place.

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

Dh hated sales and 4 years ago went back to school to become a paramedic. He took a significant pay cut, but he is happier.
We do are best to live below our means to pay off debt.
I have a wonderful retirement plan through my employer-TIAA/CREF and the hospital contributes double what I do.
We contribute to a 529 plan for our girls college education. Granted they will still have to take out loans, but every little bit counts.
I lost 10% pay when I switched to weekend option, but it has been great for my family to be home during the week.

Good post.

I reflected on this a lot this summer. I just signed up for a course this year. It was really hard to spend the money on me when there seem to be so many other needs, but it really is an investment in both my future and my dreams.

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Mom to dd (age 9) and ds (age 11)
blogging daily about purpose and personal identity

I invest the max in my retirement and also have money taken out of my check to go directly to savings. That keeps me from making any excuses about not saving.
We live below our means. I hate being in debt. I don't have the nice things that my friends/relatives/coworkers have, but they struggle so hard to keep up with each other, it's just not worth it!!
I actually enjoy living minimally. I seems a lot less stressful! I can concentrate on other things to make myself happy!