I still my first check, was something around $650 after all deductions, I was so happy and fell for it, changed my life style, the more I made, the more I spent.
Living paycheck to paycheck was not good, turned my financials around and its been 4 years since I stop spending money just for the heck of it, started saving, paid my credit cards, paid my card 1 year earlier.
Currently I'm renting but is low cost, and I don't see a point on getting a home at the moment with the current market prices, have saved up a considerable amount of funds, roth ira maxed at 6.5k, 401k with 22% contribution rate.
Two more expensive bills are Car insurance and rent, but with 1.5 weeks it gets covered, the remaining 2.5 weeks are for food and savings.
Single, no kids, no debt, no problems.
Takes a bit of research and a lot of will power to stay on budget but once you see 2+ months of paycheck just sitting on your bank account, it just hits different, not having to check upsers at 3am on a Wednesday to see how much you are getting on Friday, not checking your bank account on Friday at 3am to see how much you got paid, going on vacation for 2 weeks and not worrying about the 2 weeks that you wont get a deposit (even tho you got paid in advance).
I'm really grateful with UPS and with myself for having the discipline to achieved this financial freedom