I'll never forget learning the financial philosophy of my most frugal friend.

She asked me why I don't have any money saved. Looking back, I realize she was really asking me the question she knew I never asked myself. The answer wasn't important to her - she had savings.

My financial philosophy? What if the world ends tomorrow? I want to experience things that cost money - in other words, I want to buy a brand new pick-up truck.

Her response: What if the world doesn't end tomorrow? Or in the next five years? I'd like to be prepared for anything between now and then.

We've all got 'em. Friends that are 'broke' for 10 months and then they can 'miraculously' afford to do something they'd really like to do... eg. travel, invest or upgrade.

I guess I like to think I'm not envious. I like to think I'm taking a different approach. My husband is a glutton for instant gratification... and as much as I know our interests would be much better served if I took a stand and enforced 'not spending,' I want the payoff for my hard work just like anyone else. I've been working since I was 14 - I'm 30 now... when do I get to buy a new truck?

And I have no intention of leaving New York - so if I don't triple my salary pretty soon, I'm going to have the 5-year plan for 'tenants.' It's great. I can plan on still paying someone else's mortgage five years from now.

I don't care - I've recently discovered off-roading and it's incredible. I'm not a city-chik, I'm a city-hick. Born and bred in the sticks, all grown up and livin' in the NYC 'burbs.

Life is a mullet - business in the front, party in the back.