<prompt> Human: This is a throwaway, because shits about to get real personal.I grew up really poor. My mom was on welfare, we lived in section 8 housing, the standard poor American set, basically. My senior year of high school, our house was foreclosed, I had a nervous breakdown, we were almost homeless and my mom moved away. I slumped through my senior year I had been a 4.0 student, put off applying to college and sunk myself into a dead end job.Fast-forward three years. I get laid off my job, and I am absolutely hopeless. Insanely broke, but keeping a roof above my head. My state releases a program for people on unemployment to go back to college for free. I get some weird streak of optimism, apply, get accepted and head back to school.Fast-forward four more years. I have graduated from college, got a prestigious fellowship, get a great job. Success! I make a bunch of money, I love my life.But you guys. My finances are totally out of control. I am 25, I have no kids, but I blow every last cent. I make about 60,000 a year in my part of the country, that is about double the average income, and I have no savings.I have about 40,000 in student loan debt and 7,000 on my car. Thankfully Ive avoided credit-cards and have no debt, but alas, also very little credit.I am a contractor, so I have to pay my taxes out of pocket. I spend so much that paying these is difficult. In fact, this month I got my account garnished by the IRS.I just dont know whats wrong with me. I have went to therapy, which only resulting in another bill to pay. I buy...everything. Fancy dinners, stupid things from Anthropologie...vacations. Everything. Im a smart girl, but I get nervous when I have money in the bank. It just feels...imaginary...insecure? I dont know.Its like I am terrified of having a dollar to my name. I have never had money. I dont know how to have it or manage it. Why dont they teach these things in college? My parents are terrible influences, and also have no savings and very insecure finances.TL;DR: Help me, please. I am hopeless with my money and need some serious advice. Have any of you overcame problems like these?  <response>: OK, first of all, please recognize that having an emotional reaction to money matters is really common. Its the biggest factor preventing people from keeping their personal finances in balance.When you grow up without money, theres a sense something like, Id better spend it on something now or it might not be there when I need it. Its a reaction to the impermanence of resources that you grew up with. Youre not alone.Theres also a strong dopamine reward associated with spending and a significantly weaker one associated with saving. If you have tendencies towards addictive behaviors, this will be pronounced.I would recommend you devise some tactics to fool yourself. Open separate accounts for savings, spending, and tax estimates, then divide your paychecks according to a percentage immediately when you deposit them. Think about putting your money into an IRA instead of a regular savings account, because theres a penalty for early withdrawal. Think about whether setting up auto-payments for the important stuff taxes, rent, car payments would help you control your less essential spending.Its going to take a while of doing the uncomfortable before it starts feeling normal. 