What's the biggest financial sacrifice you've ever made?

[ua_guy]

Does this count? I gave up a profession I loved in favor of a profession that actually paid bills and had much better long-term promise in both employment and income. It wasn't really a matter of reducing bills. I had financial goals and other dreams I wanted to accomplish outside of my career, so I made my income fit those goals, and not the other way around.

It comes with the sporadic, burning desire to quit my job and drop out of life, but those days are manageable and I have to continually remind myself that my career really doesn't define who I am. It's a means to an end.

[Permanent Temp]

My husband feels as if our small studio apartment is a sacrifice but I do not. Staying here has allowed us to visit friends and family across the country over the years, allowed us to pay off our credit cards, and save money despite my ever changing job situation.

I think my biggest sacrifice as far as things goes was not owning a car until I had graduated from college. The town made it easy to get around sometimes I would be bummed I couldn't travel much but I more than made up for it after college. Also I got a car I could afford not a car people thought I should have. It's a small car and its used, I have low payments which I have always been able to make no matter what my job situation. I will keep it as long as I am able to save money.

I think maybe my biggest sacrifice though is my job situation. I could have pulled up and done some crappy job for no money right of out college and stayed there for years but I didn't I became a temp and every time I job finds some financial reason not to hire me at the end of my assignment I just move on and hold out for the next high paying career helping position. My husband has not always supported my decision and doesn't always get it but now that was hourly rate has gone up significantly (as has my happiness for my positions each time I find something I am better suited to do.) He is finally coming around. He start to think hey this job will hire you but I know better. I just beef up my resume and move on.

[MonkeyMama]

Does this count? I gave up a profession I loved in favor of a profession that actually paid bills and had much better long-term promise in both employment and income. It wasn't really a matter of reducing bills. I had financial goals and other dreams I wanted to accomplish outside of my career, so I made my income fit those goals, and not the other way around.

It comes with the sporadic, burning desire to quit my job and drop out of life, but those days are manageable and I have to continually remind myself that my career really doesn't define who I am. It's a means to an end.

Yes, that sounds like true sacrifice. (Not the sacrifice I could personally want to make). So, it gets my vote.

[MonkeyMama]

I think the definition of "sacrifice" is going to vary from person to person. For example, I don't consider purchasing an affordable home a sacrifice.

By my definition, I can't think of a single sacrifice I've made. I've always been employed since college graduation, and I've never had to go without basic needs.

I get this. Let's face it, these are all first world problems. & we are all blessed for that.