I graduated college in May 2010 with $50K in student loan debt...it is an overwhelming number for me, and when it came time for the loans to go into repayment, I wanted to put them out of sight, out of mind, and hope that a magic $50,000 fell into my lap someday so I could take care of my loans. I forced myself to be realistic, and did the research to get my loans into voluntary economic hardship forbearance because of my current low income. I was so proud of myself for biting the bullet and working out some kind of plan rather than falling off the deep end, having debt collectors call me, and being paranoid about my credit. Now, I tell all my friends they can take control too, even if they are not able to make payments. It is so easy to be fearful in the current economy, especially as a new economic contributor...but it is also just as easy to remain in control of your finances if you put in a little effort! That is why I continue to consume LearnVest's information...education is the best remedy for fear!

I'm most proud of having a gorgeous wedding with nearly 100 guests for under $2,000. We took advantage of free options, such as having the wedding and reception at the clubhouse of the retirement community where my mother-in-law lives. About $400 was spent flying a relative into town who made my dress and our cake. A caterer friend prepared a gourmet spread at cost (about $200). We had the same friend ordained on the internet so she could perform our ceremony. I made our save-the-dates, invitations, bouquets, centerpieces and my veil. We were even able to splurge and spend $500 to have our favorite local band play and still stay under budget.

Fifteen years ago, I came back from a broken relationship to my hometown. I had no money, no job, no car, and had to live with my parents for a year. Most of my clothes and things were still in another country because my ex-boyfriend refused to send them to me until a year after we broke up. I began incurring credit card debt then.

My first job was for $18500./year. My mom took me to work until I bought a junker. I moved into a $400/month apartment. I also paid off $20,000 of credit card debt within about 3 years during that time period. I juggled new cards and different APRs and paid off the highest APR credit card first to do this. I also stayed in that small apartment and kept that junky, but paid-for car.

Today, I make $52,000/yr. I am paying off a 2008 (used) Honda Accord. I still live in that $400/month apt. only now it's $550. With heat and hot water included. I pay all of my one credit card off every month and put $600/month into a savings account. I now have $16K saved. I couldn't have done any of this without paying off the credit card debt, keeping my living expenses low, and gradually getting a better paying job. I don't love making sacrifices to manage my money, but in the end, I did not go into bankruptcy (as some of my friends did), and I still have plenty of play money to go out to dinner and splurge on a new item once in awhile. It feels awesome to not have that debt hanging over my head. I will never, ever get in debt like that again if I can help it. Credit card debt can crush you and cause great stress. I am so proud I did it myself and am now able to save money, which is the absolute best part!

I am most proud of being able to see my debt more clearly. I didn't see the big picture until I started receiving LearnVest emails and studying my financial situation. I was in denial, always was going to get better, always something was going to change things. I found out the hard way that someone was going to be me. So, after much whinning, shaking of my head, and sleepless nights, I put pen to paper and added up what was going on for years. How did I get into my financial mess in the first place? Ouch...the answers were not pretty. So, I made little goals, little promises to myself, things that I knew I could do, little successes that built on one another. I started to feel better, started to see one credit card being paid in full. Started a saving goal, for the first time, I actually have an emergency fund. Funny, when I started tithing consistently, I started having more money. I cleared out my closet and gave to goodwill. I began breathing better and feeling more confident about myself. Thank you for your helpful, insightful advice. Keep the emails coming, thanks.

I'm proud of fully funding my Roth IRA every year since I was 23. Compounding interest is a beautiful thing :)

I'm most proud of making the effort to understand my finances. I took an economics class in high school, where my teacher taught so many great life/financial lessons. He had a huge impact on the way I view money. Ever since that class, I've actively looked for ways to learn more about my finances. It's probably my favorite subject now. I love watching Suze Orman and CNBC, reading websites like Learnvest and books like Nice Girls Don't Get Rich.