How I did it: I married an ambitions man.  In '99 when we moved in together, he was made redundant.  In that year we bought a house together (based on my earnings and using our savings) and lived off my income, plus his savings.  He did bit work, but by the end of the year had formed a company with a friend.  There was not much work at first - we still lived off my income, but after some time he was able to draw an income.  I helped when he asked and supported him otherwise and didn't complain when he worked late - but he didn't do this often. 

Earlier this year he sold the business.  We've been to see a financial planner who worked out a realistic income for us using investments and we worked out our expenditure.  The numbers add up and we're now financially independent!

Lessons & tips: There were periods when my husband didn't get paid at work - like when our daughter was born.  He took 3 months leave without pay and wasn't even sure there would be work for him when he returned!  You have to be conservative with your money and take the bad times with the good.  You make your sacrifices, but if your sensible it all works out.

Resources: Financial planner.

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Sep 13, 2008, 11:23AM PDT | 2 comments | 18 cheers