Well, as though as the economy is turning out to be, I am proud to say that so far, I am having good luck getting through it. I sometimes feel that when I need cash, it somehow comes through.

A few months back, I had nothing, they I got back tax refund...truly a life saver this particular year.

In other ways, my expenses have been just below what I make, allowing me to relax a little, and desperately work to keep my job.

I have personally had friends and family be laid off or have hours reduced. I am lucky that has not happened to me.

In the end, I realize that by surviving bad times, one learns to be more conservative, and I have also learned that I will never allow myself to go without some sort of emergency savings which I am currently working on building up.

I will never in my life, allow my family to have to concern themselves with whether they will have enough to make ends meet.

This past year has been a learning experience for many of us, and its a life long lesson not to be forgotten anytime soon.


a TOAST TO...

to the future.... and to a better life