The highest level and most helpful piece of financial advice I've ever received was to only buy things I could purchase twice without feeling anxiety about my financial situation. I've utilized the rule when calculating college costs, gifts, and even my vehicle. This advice was given to me by my grandfather, who was raised by two individuals that had survived the great depression. I'd like to believe that this advice has been passed down through my family for many generations. Attending college has always been a dream for me. This advice helped turn that dream into a reality. I knew since the beginning of high school that if I wanted to attend a college I would need to receive scholarships. I worked hard and attained the highest level of scholarship awarded by my state and university, however, these would not cover the full cost. Instead, I chose to analyze, using the aforementioned advice, the cost of my education. I realized I would need to work, hard, to make enough money to enter the first semester of college. I was able to pick up hours and work full time over the summer at my local job as a cook. I was able to make more than enough money; college wasn't just a possible (at least for the first two semesters), but I was able to do so and fulfill longtime family financial advice. This advice, to only buy what one can buy twice while remaining steadfast, shaped my early life, and I hope it continued to do so. Moreover, requiring myself the possibility of paying twice encouraged and inspired me to work hard, which developed a longtime and permanent spirit in me to do what is necessary, no matter the required effort.