Im not like my parents finanicially. I feel the way I do because all while growing up, Id see a similar pattern in my father. He would be down and out, poor as hell, we'd have to get food from the food bank, etc.. and then he'd get a new job and bam, we had money so he spent it all. then something would go wrong with his job and we'd be poor again. He'd max out his credit cards, etc... and everytime Id tell him to save his money, and he'd tell me not to worry, his job would be good this time, and bam, now we're poor again. It happens every single time he has money, so now I always try to save money, except on the things i think or worth it.
I have extreme guilt over spending alot of money too. Problably why I dont understand this lesson so well