[jcommin]

I have been a saver all of my life - the debt I did carry (home). Got married and that changed a bit. Had a few cars loans but what really changed was in 2006. I got divorced and that was just a mess - heavy debt, owed the IRS, the housing market crashed and my youngest had a drug/behavioral problem that needed attention.

Flash forward, no house, no car debt, IRS paid off, no credit card debt, son is clean and going to college and I have very little money left. I'm ok, it is just money: it's not my life. I'm fortunate to have had the money, a good paying job, good health and fortune to whether the last several years. I can truly understand that a catastrophic event can wipe someone out financially or maybe not get the attention or service they need because they don't have the financial resources.

I don't take anything for granted anymore - life can get in the way and things change no matter how much we plan.