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I did not grow up in a home with lots of 'extras'. My mom was a single mom most of my life and received no child support, so it was tough. We got by and I never had do without things I needed, but I certainly was not spoiled. I was able to take dance lessons in 3 types of dance, but that was my passion so my grandad paid for it. My mom tried to let me participate in as much extracurricular things as I wanted and we could afford. Exp. - $300/wk local theater camp.... but I had to do my part and bring home good grades and behave. I never really asked for a lot as a kid b/c I knew money was tight. It was a treat for me to get a new book or a magazine.
I was always a tiny kid, so I got hand-me-downs from my best friends when they outgrew them. They could afford Gap, Limited Too, Etc. I actually enjoyed getting handmedown clothes.
I was lucky that I grew up with best friends much more financially secure than my family so I got experiences such as weekends at the country club, vacations on the coast, getting to see the Nutcracker Ballet, etc. that I might not have gotten otherwise.
When it was proven that I could hold down a steady part time job, someone cosigned a loan for me so I could get a car. When that car crashed, mom cosigned a loan for me so I could get another car, however I have made all the payments. It made me sick to my stomach when my friends got brand new cars on their b-days and I didn't, but I appreciate what I have so much more b/c I had to work for it.
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