Is home ownership a right or a privilege? It seems folks today expect to buy a house or condo upon completion of college or by age 21. I'd like to share how home ownership has happened for those in my life.
I come from German and Scottish heritages. We are frugal stock and many before my grandparents farmed for a living. There are women in my ancestry who have worked before, after, and during child rearing ages.
In 1949 my parents married. They purchased their first home in 1960. For 11 years they worked and had 4 kids when we moved into that small 1 1/2 story house. Three girls up in the dormer room with the fourth one arriving the next summer. Our brother was the lucky resident of the tiny back bedroom. Seven people and one bath. It was normal for us.
When Bob and I married in 1975, together we had saved $8,000 and put it down on a modest yellow home which cost us $24,000. Sounds like so little but we were making very little. I made about $3.50 per hour and his salary was in the $21,000 range. We were thrilled to have a house.
Our daughter and her husband were married in 2004 and rented for a few years in California and Illinois. They set aside one income and lived off the other saving for their first home. They purchased a beautiful modest house in 2006 with 20% down.
Saving toward a goal is so rewarding. Making those monthly payments are not always easy but taking on less than you can afford sure helps. I'm afraid so many have stretched their $ to the limit just to pay for a house.
Living below our means and finding peace and contentment with the blessings we enjoy are key to really living. Smelling the flowers where we are planted.
'til later
I come from German and Scottish heritages. We are frugal stock and many before my grandparents farmed for a living. There are women in my ancestry who have worked before, after, and during child rearing ages.
In 1949 my parents married. They purchased their first home in 1960. For 11 years they worked and had 4 kids when we moved into that small 1 1/2 story house. Three girls up in the dormer room with the fourth one arriving the next summer. Our brother was the lucky resident of the tiny back bedroom. Seven people and one bath. It was normal for us.
When Bob and I married in 1975, together we had saved $8,000 and put it down on a modest yellow home which cost us $24,000. Sounds like so little but we were making very little. I made about $3.50 per hour and his salary was in the $21,000 range. We were thrilled to have a house.
Our daughter and her husband were married in 2004 and rented for a few years in California and Illinois. They set aside one income and lived off the other saving for their first home. They purchased a beautiful modest house in 2006 with 20% down.
Saving toward a goal is so rewarding. Making those monthly payments are not always easy but taking on less than you can afford sure helps. I'm afraid so many have stretched their $ to the limit just to pay for a house.
Living below our means and finding peace and contentment with the blessings we enjoy are key to really living. Smelling the flowers where we are planted.
'til later
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