re: What changed your financial future for the better?

My aunt/godmother died in the recovery room after routine gallbladder surgery. Unbeknownst to me, I was the beneficiary of her life insurance policy. I kept 2/3, gave 1/3 split two ways to my mom and other aunt. used my portion to pay off student loans and bump up the IRA contribution. Fast forward a couple of years, and my better half loses both of his parents within 5 years. Things can change in the blink of an eye. While our financial outlook dramatically improved, I'd rather that all three had been around more years than having retirement funds in the bank.

Also wanted to echo a prev poster: spend money on experiences, not stuff. All three of those family members should Anne could have traveled more and done more things, but inertia kept them put. The dream trips to Hawaii, Spain, etc never got to happen. Go while you can, don't wait until later.