This was a very, very interesting post and the video was an eye-opener because I got to learn so much about you and how you handle money. My money story is really different. When I was a kid, my parents gave us money because they wanted to. They didn't see the merit of giving us an allowance or giving us money for good grades. They just gave it to us freely and my mother would take us to the mall to shop. My dad was a long distance semi truck driver for most of my life and my mother worked in customer service. My family and I first lived in the upstairs of a duplex from when I was a baby until I was 12 and then, we moved into a single family house. The bills were always paid and we always had food on the table. Education was the most important thing in the family and in our family, the notion of paying each other back is frowned upon. When my mom got huge bonus checks, she would take us on shopping trips that were even more extravagant than normal. One time, my mother received a $6500 check in addition to her paycheck because she had to relocate at her job and my siblings and I ended up with $200 a piece to spend however we wanted and my mother bought us clothes, shoes and eyeglasses with the rest.

When I was about 13, my mom was in an accident that left her out of work for over a year and I think that was when I started becoming aware of not having money. Things really didn't get bad until I was 16 and that's when having money was something that ingrained itself in my head. The next five years from that moment was so hard because my family barely got by and we were always struggling. My parents had separated when I was 14 and both of my parents had health issues. When I was 21, everything fell apart. My father died and my family was evicted. My sister, mother and I jumped between a motel and the homeless shelter and from then on, not having money became a huge source of anxiety for me.

I was 22 when I got my first job and started college. I was already in credit card debt of $1000 because the only credit card I had was when I was 20 and had a $500 credit limit. I developed a bad habit of having these luxurious shopping sprees whenever I got paid, even though it was irresponsible. Then, I got my own apartment and then married at 23 and not having a job (my temp assignment ended) almost drove me insane because I needed to make my own money and have something to do. I moved back in with my mother at 25 and since then, I still see my money as mine and my mother's money as hers. I am a lot more responsible with how I spend now because shopping has exhausted me. I'm still very insecure about earning money because I don't have a job and my siblings do. However, I feel like I may be the most responsible.

Hello all. This is my first day here at #shereadstruth. I didn't know what exactly propelled me to start at first but then, I started reading and I could understand very clearly. I think I'm going to enjoy this

My most embarrassing birthday was when my fiance got drunk and then picked me up to take me to his place. He was laughing so hysterically and I had to pay for my own dinner.

Here's hoping for your bravery this year. I think it's cool to start small because you'll be halfway there before you know it.

What I like most about you is that you are young (even though you're only three years younger than me, but my little brother is your age so I feel old) and you've been dealt some really bad cards but you're choosing to be better for your little boy and for yourself. I like that you're not willing to just lie down and let the shit run over you. You're strong and that strength is always going to come in handy. BTW, screw anyone who thinks it's just the same old story.

Your phone and your camera are like the best gadgets I've ever seen, especially your camera. I've been thinking about getting one just like it but the price was never right for me, but I am literally drooling over it.

So, my story's a touch different but there is so many things I wanted to touch base with you on. First off, anyone who talks about France is super awesome in my book but I give you so much credit for doing so well in school and going to grad school and helping children, which I think may have inspired me after reading your guest post about your job on another blog. I also have to tell you that I am sorry about your dad (my dad passed in 2006) and I know that can make a big impact on one's life. Keep striving, Ashley, because you're going somewhere. :)

I love this post, because everything she is saying makes sense. It's all about honesty and when you're honest, you stay true to yourself. Love.

This is so helpful because I suck at time management, even though I never have anything better to do on any given day other than class. Thank you for this.

It so wonderful and sweet that you trust your boyfriend as much as you do. I swear that the trust you have is the biggest factor in successful relationships.