I need to vent. I found out recently that my van will need new brakes soon. Just part of regular maintenance and of course it's not all covered under warrantly. Well I've had lots of old jewelry sitting around the house and I turned it in yesterday for cash. Thank god it will be enough to cover the brakes. That's not what is upsetting me. I spoke to two friends today, who claim they are up to their eyeballs in debt, but one is out clothes shopping and the other is planning a trip with her DH. The first friend says she doesn't have enough money to have a religious ceremony for her son but can go out and buy clothes and go on vacation. The other friend is having a hard time finding a company to refinance their mortgage from an ARM to a fixed rate, yet they are spending the night at a pricey hotel and going out for an expensive dinner because they need to be away from their children. I'm green with envy right now and I'm so mad at myself for letting this get to me. All I can think of is "I had to hock jewelry so I can pay for new brakes and they spend it like it's going out of style. Why me? Why do I have to sacrifice?" I feel lower than low for thinking like this. Also, we are going on vacation this year (just one state over with 2 other couples to help fray the cost) and I have scrimped and saved so we can. I just wish sometimes I didn't get so upset. We have our health and a good life and I should just be happy.

I know you are just venting but I am here to be your ray of sunshine.

You said it yourself that your friends are in debt up to their eyeballs so they really can't afford what they are doing they are just living a lie. Lies catch up to you sooner or later and what you had fun with today will soon be a memory and it won't be as good because it will be tarnished.

You on the other hand are living with less now so in the future you can live with more. Scrimping and saving now will give you a good future and a great retirement. If your friends don't change soon they will be working in their retirement and you my friend will be sitting on an exotic beach somewhere drinking something fruity with a tiny umbrella in it.

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