[KarenSue]

Go Jeffrey! Go Nate! I really enjoy your site and have picked up some good information already. My name is Karen (obviously) and I live in Michigan. I am married and have 2 children - a 15 y.o. daughter and a 10 y.o. son.

My parents were good with money, and tried their best to teach us kids the value of a buck. While their friends were buying new cars every few years or putting a pool in they were busily paying down their mortgage. When I was 12 dad started his own company. Things went well and although he worked long hours, we became quite well off. They invested their money and taught us to do the same. Dad had a rough & tumble childhood and security was important to him. He finally sold his business about 10 years ago and retired. Those same guys with the pools and nice cars are still working because they can't afford to retire.

When DH and I first married, we split the bills 50/50 and had separate bank accounts. We worked at the same place and he made a little more than me. We lived in a small apartment. With the birth of Stephanie it was time to save for a house. For the next two years we saved, again separately. In the end I had $8,000 in my account and he had several hundred. Oops! I took over the bills and it's been that way ever since.

We moved to a typical blue-collar suburban neighborhood - small yard and lots of barking dogs. In the years to follow I became a true tightwad. I worked part time at a daycare and money was tight. I have no idea how but we came up with $200 a month to invest. Well, I do know how. Thrift stores and meatless meals, among other things.

Sometimes we took a drive to "the country" to admire the nice houses. New ones with acerage. It was depressing. There we were in our little un-airconditioned car, envious. We lived that way for eight years.

Fast forward... in 2000 we moved into our new home. The difference is unreal. There's a lake across the street and the backyard is all woods. When we were building the house, you have to give the builder "draws" as time goes by. I was able to just take out the checkbook and pay cash. We only got a loan for the very last payment. With the investment money and funds from selling our first house, we started out right away with 40% equity.

I took complete leave of my senses in 2002 and opened a toy store. Nick was in 1st grade and was in school all day. So far it brings in very little income and I'm still struggling to establish myself. Word is spreading and I get new customers every week. On the bright side, I love my boss! I hope to have enough income to supplement Stephanie's college education in 2 years.

Right now we have a mortgage, an equity loan, and credit card debt up the wazoo. My goal is to go back to the tightwad ways that I have neglected.

Can you tell that I like to write? Check out my journal if you doubt this!

I look forward to getting to know my fellow members.

Hugs,
Karen