David,

In August, 2003 I picked up your book “Smart Couples Finish Rich” and read it while on vacation. At the time my husband and I had a 2 year old and were trying for #2. We have never been in debt (except for our house and two car loans) but we had only $3,000 saved. We saved every month for bills so we never lived paycheck to paycheck, but we never just saved to have it saved. Luckily I had a 401(k) I was contributing to and my husband has a good pension with early retirement at 20 years service.

However, in less than 3 year’s time, we paid off both car loans, went to a lawyer and wrote a will, purchased extra life insurance for my husband and a policy for me, increased my 401(k) to 20%, opened an ING orange account (nicknamed emergency account)and saved $17,000 (so far), had a second child and now have a third on the way. It is my option to return to work part time (which I have been working for 5 years) or stay home when #3 comes. I can’t tell you how much that financial freedom means to us.

We now look to the future as we are purchasing a second home in a nearby state and just saving as much as we can to live comfortable lives without the worry of money.

We are 30 and 31. I already have budgeted the $2,000 per year for each child to save in an IRA to follow your example of how they too can be rich, all on early saving.

Sincerely,