After a few months of lurking, I've decided to leap in.

I am a part time teacher and mother to two awesome kids.

Originally my plan was to work full time, pay off my mortgage in 10 years, and then pay for my children's college education without a mortgage to worry about. However, in the last few months , it has been necessary for me to review my plans.

I found working full time and raising the kids on my own so exhausting that I was starting to think I wasn't going to live to see retirement.

So now I'm working part time (2/3 of my regular timetable). Suddenly I have energy and love my life again.

I am in the continual process of developing strategies that will enable me to work parttime for as long as possible. I love being able to take my children to school in the morning and pick them up too.

I think I've made some good decisions: I bought the "cheapest" house in a nice neighbourhood near where I work. Since I can walk to work in half an hour, I no longer require a car or even the bus. Some of my friends and colleagues think I'm nuts, but I save hundreds of dollars a month this way.

I don't have cable, never use my dryer, and shop specials whenever possible. My children and I rarely eat out.

Perhaps it will still be possible to pay my mortgage off early. This place is a great source of inspiration.

I have enjoyed reading the various blogs over the last few months, and look forward to saving along with everyone else.