So, I'm 38. I was born in a family that was barely making it; I lived in envy of those people who could fill their entire gas tank at the pump. I was like, "If I had that kind of money I would just cry everyday because I would be rich." Literally, I found that written in a childhood journal.

I have, at various points in my life a)been evicted because I couldn't afford rent b) lived in my car c) chose between washing laundry for a job interview and eating for a few days (eating did not win) d) squatted in a house that was definitely not meant to be lived in.

My mom gave me money to get my EMT. That led to a scholarship for a paramedic program. When I was a paramedic I started working at a college as a skills instructor and then I found out if you work there you get free tuition so I applied and got into their 2 year nursing program.

Got a job as a nurse, applied and got into a bachelor's program, my husband quit his job to start a t-shirt business, did a bunch of cocaine and joined a cult, so I got a divorce and became a travel nurse and my point is...

I got paid two days ago and I didn't even notice because nursing has enabled me to be financially secure enough that I'm not checking my bank account four and five times a day. Little kid me, watching people fill up their gas tanks, would be crying so hard right now.