So there's been quite a bit of change going on in my life and my family's life. My wife just got a job (temporary contract with a Federal Contractor, but can be extended) that will take her away almost every day of the week for the near future and leaves me alone with the kids from the time I get off work until I put them to bed. I know it's going to be a struggle, but we have our financial goals as a couple and a family, and the extra income will definitely help us towards achieving them. For us, it's worth the short-term sacrifice if it helps us get to the point where we don't have to worry about which bills to pay or how to make a little extra money here or there.
Which brings me to an article I read on Yahoo about what people were doing to make extra money and why they were doing it. There were people doing mystery shopping for gas money and typing up foreclosure lists to avoid being put on it, but the one that stuck out in my mind the most was a guy named John from California, who has a full time job and then also teaches 3 night classes per week. He enjoys teaching, but says it's hard on him and his family because sometimes he doesn't get home till 11pm. His quote that stuck out in my mind is "Still, when you have a family to provide for, you have to make sacrifices and you damn well better do it."
If I had the opportunity to meet this man in person, I would want to ask him what his plans were to increase his financial wealth so that in a couple of years, he doesn't have to teach at night anymore. Or perhaps he can retire from his day job and only teach at night, and be able to see his family a lot more.
Everything I have in life I attribute to my family. My parents raised me, my grandparents spoiled me, my sister kept me humble, my kids keep me going, my wife is my rock, and my parents continue to counsel and teach me to this day. Within reason, there isn't anything I wouldn't sacrifice to spend more time with my family. That's why I am taking risks and starting to build passive income streams. That's why I currently have 6 financial books checked out of my local library and have a goal to read all of them by the end of September. I'm building up my financial IQ and my passive income so that when the time is right, I can finally look to my family who has supported me all the while and we can celebrate the success of my early retirement together.
Good luck to everyone and god bless!
