[Bookie]

Another thing I notice is that once the habit of saving becomes established, it develops a momentum of its own.

I get almost as much of a kick out of watching my saving balances increase as I do watching my indebtedness decline. There was the day last year when the two lines crossed, and I knew I had enough in hand to clear the slate any time I chose. That felt good.

After living for so many years paycheck-to-paycheck, I like the sense of security I get from money in the bank. I recognize that I pay a small premium for that feeling of comfort. My interest rates slightly exceed my savings earnings, but operating for so long without a safety net, I'm willing to accept that cost.