PART III: COPING --
The new millenium started. The Brick had left engineering behind, in favor of driving a bus for the school district. I wrote a book -- then another. Writing and teaching opportunities were growing steadily; so was judging. But my newest work (personal property appraising) was still beginning.
The girlies were in high school -- money was still tight. Both took part-time jobs, which didn't bother us -- after all, the Brick and I had both worked through high school, as well.
(Save 50% for college, give 10% to God -- then you have the rest to spend, I urged them. Did they listen? Not really. But I tried.)
The school district didn't pay much for bus drivers. (Do teachers realize this, when they gripe about being so badly paid?) But they did match our contributions to the 401k, up to 3% of the Brick's salary. (Again, if it was taken out beforehand, we 'forgot' it was there.) If we were really careful, we had enough for groceries, clothes (especially if we bought them at the thrift shop), and even a vacation now and then. (Close attention to airfare specials even got us to Mexico a few times, and on a Caribbean cruise for our anniversary.)
The Brick did some temp work, including a stint at Home Depot, on summer vacation. I picked up income here and there dogsitting, doing quilt restoration and teaching piano and voice. The girlies paid for extra items, but also found some incredible buys: Italian-made heels ($3), a custom leather jacket ($10) and their prom dresses ($7-10) at the thrift shop. Marked-down clothes at The Gap, where they both worked. They had obviously paid attention to that part of our advice, at least.
Then came college.
The Brick had a few pay raises by now; eventually, he became a trainer for others, teaching classes for new drivers. My income had picked up some.
And because we'd faithfully put away money in savings bonds, $25 or $50 a month, we had enough to cover a year of college tuition for both girlies. (We could actually fund more, because they'd both won some scholarships -- particularly Daughter #1.)
It wasn't as much as we would have hoped...but with them working in college (we had too, after all), they would get by.
The years passed. The girls went from college to jobs. (And have supported themselves ever since, I am proud to say.)
The Brick began a newly-made position in IT work for the Transportation Department.
I was selling -- and writing -- more books and articles than ever. I was on the road teaching or judging a few times a month...and my appraising business was starting to grow. I'd become president of my appraisers support group. We'd paid the house off, thanks to an inheritance from the Brick's mom, and actually had some savings. Again!
But we'd never stopped putting money in the 401ks...even when finances were at their lowest. We didn't put as much in then -- but we still contributed to it.
PART IV: RETIREMENT
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