I always had a decent job I enjoyed, but never really made 'big bucks'.
Except during 'the first wife' years, I always spent less than what I earned.

That, and being able to build, rebuild or repair our cars or house myself-
I've saved a gazillion dollars by not taking a car to the shop since I was in High School, or buying one for much over $1500-
then driving it for 10 years.

Except the first wife's credit cards, the only debt I've ever had was $1,000 at $100 a month to pay the other half of a new 1977 Yamaha 750.
And $30,000 for a old house in 1983 that was paid off in 1988 when I tore it down and built the new one 'out of pocket' for my life's savings of $50,000.

Moving through to the present, we've paid cash for everything. But we seldom eat out, buy a lot of fancy stuff, or travel much either.

True but I am beginning to think the state income tax with reasonable property taxes would be a better system. At least from the descriptions from those living in other states it sounds like overall dollar wise it is better. They have other taxes but more on the consumption level where you have control. Here you have no control unless you want to live in a dump to pay lower property taxes.

I think that nearly everyone would jump at the chance to buy into an investment that returned a guaranteed 12% - 20% annual percentage rate, yet many will carry a credit card balance and incur interest rates in this range. Sad.

No such thing............

I can tell you that since we moved to Georgia in June it's costs about a third to live here than in Texas. I actually cringe now looking back on the money wasted in Texas. We have already paid our new home off and all cars paid for. No cc debt so retirement has been great so far. Thanks to my dad for teaching me how to save and manage money since my first job at 12 I was able to retire at 60. I highly recommend it.

Having moved to Wisconsin I cringe about how much money we are spending here as compared to Texas. All things are retaliative.