Tax, basically
I've always been completely debt free, although at times I've not had much cash left, and have worked in a variety of shitty jobs to bring in the money.

I don't buy more than I can afford and have an aversion to spending large amounts of money on *anything*. I won't buy something unless I think I really need it. On the downside this sometimes means I don't sort things out that I really should, make do for too long, and other than too much obsolete computer kit I've had people comment that I don't actually have that much stuff. Spending too little isn't necessarily a good thing..

Mistakes though :

1) Sending a cheque to the wrong address, and almost getting a CCJ as a result. oops.

2) I went through a period when I wasn't in the best situation; it took ages to get out of this, as I had no confidence to sort stuff out, or to ask for a salary raise I'd not had in over 3 years. This ended up with me spending more than I earnt for about 6 months until I sorted my head, financies and salary out..

3) Not notifying the tax office early enough on a change of a company car. Cue tax demand for a grand years later(!) - I always tell them right away, now!

I still don't understand why people buy new stuff when they don't need it though. Why do you buy new computers when you can't afford it, and the old one still does everything you need?

edit: oh yes, obvious point : money doesn't make you happy. Re point 2) - I wasn't in any danger as long as I sorted myself out in a year or two because I had shedloads in the bank. I earnt it when I was seriously unhappy with life, and ok - it helped support me until I became happier. I'd much rather have been happier, and had less money though.
(EssY, Fri 24 Nov 2006, 15:14, Reply)