Good to hear Mike. I'm sure lots of people have at least one struggle in their life financially, but when you keep positive, and the mindset of "it can only get better from here" things tend to pan out.

I find that trying to budget your income/expenses... even if it's just on a pad and paper (though Excel is ideal) it helps you learn how to spend your money. Buying my Evo and having monthly car payments + more gas $ + higher repair bills if something happens wasn't something I thought I could manage with a mortgage on my own... but I'm doing it and it feels great.