<prompt> Human: I graduated massively in debt and spent my first few years of work in grinding poverty trying to pay it all down. Once I paid off my debt I was craving a taste of the life Id seen my friends enjoy and I basically blew income as it came in over the remaining few years on everything from improving my wardrobe and home furniture to overseas vacations and entertainment. Ive just looked at my credit card balance for this month and Im basically not a cent better off than when I first paid down all my debt 3 years ago. I feel like Ive wasted my opportunities. I want to save but Im feeling pretty demotivated. How am I going to ever save up enough for a house? And what does all of this mean in terms of standard of living?I feel old. And I feel like Ive fcked everything up. Any words of advice?  <response>: You have your health and you have an income. That puts you ahead of a lot of people these days. Make it your December 26, 2013 resolution to start turning things around. The FAQ is a good place to start. 