Redundancy

We have actually made strides toward our financially free future.  In 2012 we taught our daughter that money had worth.  Prior to that and mostly still we purchased what ever she needed or wanted.

Her autism lent to this behavior of ours.  We knew we had to break ourselves of that habit.  We planned to make sure she learned that money could "buy" these things.  She learned to spend money.

Then the following year, we had her learn that she could "earn" money.  Again her autism meant she needed support to work in various basic non skilled positions as an intern with minimal pay; to experience the "work arena".

Then the year after we decided she should learn to understand that she could earn money without working for someone else.  We had her make cards.  We paid her.  She donated them to a charity furniture store.  She thought the charity was paying her.  This built up her self worth and esteem.

Most importantly, we began to teach her to save her money.  Today she divides her "earned money" into 4.  50% savings, 10% charity, 15% tax and what is left over is spending money.  Soon we will teach her to divide her savings into long term savings and short term investment.

So far her savings after 3.5 years is almost 5,000.  We are very proud of her.  I need to re educate myself on investments.  Stocks still scare me.  I would really like us to be able to invest in real estate.  I want to develop a warehouse into a big teaching, working showroom.  A place that can serve as a place to teach, learn and earn a living.  If I had my dream, a small community for autistics and their families.... i guess almost a commune.  A safe, self sufficient community.