I'm a single mother of one great kid.  I make a good living and was debt free until four years ago.  I decided to jump on the home buying band wagon and bought our first home.  What a mistake!

I love my place but the cost involved were more than I expected.  With the association dues, needing to purchase new appliances because the others died, taxes, day care, car, and insurance.  It's all too much.

I now buy generics and shop for only what I need.  I go grocery shopping every couple of days to cut down on over buying or wasting food.  I also puchased a bike with my tax return and have been using that instead of gas.

My vacation this year was to a friends house in Orland Park, IL so I wouldn't use to much gas.

I also had to take a loan against my 401k to pay down the high interst credit card.  So now my paycheck is lower.

I'm one paycheck away from complete financial ruin and it scares the heck out of me.