Small story: our clothes washer died last Sunday, spectacularly. Internet research determined it would cost as much to fix as to buy new (13 years old so no warranty left). We were able to research highly-rated models and buy a new one (delivered and installed yesterday) and just... absorb the cost. No worries about how we're going to make the payments, no juggling credit cards to find one with enough left on the credit line, nothing.
Big story: DH and I are among the "always been frugal*" crowd, so we didn't have an awakening. What we have had has been:
- brains that are talented in the STEM space, so careers are highly-paid
- for me, parents that paid for my college education
- lucky in terms of where, when, and to whom we were born
- each other
- good health (enough that we can work in our chosen fields)
- low family drama on my side (e.g. my brother is awesome, not a ne'er-do-well)
Our hard work has had a fantastic base to build on, and we're always thankful for that.
*Relatively speaking - we're only partial Mustachians at this time, but have both lived with far less in the past.
