I receive emails from folks, over the years, expressing their interest in having a large family. More than an interest really, I hear of deep dreams and strong desires to accomplish this in their lives.

No one, including me I suppose, has a specific number of children in mind. I truly didn’t set out to become this large, and I believe that I knew when to stop adopting. I have room in my house now for more children, as so many of mine are grown, but I don’t feel called to add to my family anymore.

I’m often asked for advice regarding how to prepare for this type of life and at the top of the list; I’d strongly recommend an ability to manage money very, very well. For me, it took a lot of reading, discipline and learning.

Many years ago I was blessed enough to take a course from Larry Burkett that revolutionalized the way I handled money. He was the founder and president of Christian Financial Concepts, a nonprofit organization begun in 1976. Now it is Crown Financial Ministries. He’s written a dozen books and I used to listen to his radio program. He passed away several years ago but his influence over me stands today as one of the strongest ever in money management.

He espoused several concepts that particularly stuck with me. Burkett felt that retirement wasn’t an option if one linked it to inactivity. If one simply changes vocations or volunteers or helps others, one will be happy.

A reader here, Judy, wrote to me about retiring from the school system and then becoming a foster parent, she’s 65 now. How cool is that? She could be on cruises or playing shuffleboard but she chose to give of herself. A teacher, of all people, she certainly knew how difficult it could become for her in her new environment. I greatly admire her.

I retired early to be a stay-at-home mom to my many darling children and when they’re grown, my grandchildren will need me at their ballgames and activities. I can then give back and help their parents like they once helped me so much with all my kids. I look forward to those coming days.

Larry Burkett said in one of his earlier books, Answers To Your Family’s Financial Questions,

“I believe everyone should own his home debt free. If I had to choose to either invest my money and earn 10%, or to pay off a 6% mortgage, I would pay off the mortgage. Who knows what might happen in the economy that could destroy your investments? And yet the mortgage payments would keep right on going. Remember, what you own belongs to you, and nobody can take it from you.”

My house would have been paid for by now if I hadn’t had to add on so many times to accommodate everyone, but I’ve remained solidly on that track to do so, the original house is paid for as is most of the land. Other investment gurus differ and disagree but I’ve found, in our family, that this is the way that we should go.

I need to guarantee the physical stability that a debt-free home provides for my children and this is one of the best ways to do so.