Some of you may recall that when I started this blog over 11 years ago, I was helping my son with his business start up and taking care of my parents. I used my 401k to help build the business and it did great the first couple of years.

Unfortunately, my son's business, a pest control company, did not survive the 2008-2010 crisis, and I returned to my former job.

A couple of years later, my son opened a new business in an area that was more conducive to year round business, rather than seasonal- which is what it was here. (Bugs and critter problems vary depending on the climate.)

I am happy to say that he is doing PHENOMENAL! He now employs 6 people, and has restored his credit...and most importantly, the business is in a position to start PAYING MOM BACK!

I knew his goal was to someday repay me, but I wasn't sure that day would really ever arrive- but it is here. Part of the repayment will come in cash payments over the next year, and part will be in his making mom a partner in the business and eventually buying me out. In the end, this will have been a very good investment for me. A win-win for both my son and me.

This will put my retirement goals in high gear as we will end up two years ahead on my savings goals by the end of 2018. YIPPEE!

And I am thrilled that my son's dream is coming true. He is a hard worker and is building a very ethical business that focuses on customer loyalty.

Needless to say, I am one proud, happy momma!

One of the responses to my last post was an inquiry about what I do. Well, I wear several hats at my job, one of which is business continuity manager. I have been responsible for this for about 8 years. While historically, the focus has been on business resiliency after a disruption, that is shifting towards ensuring employees are prepared. After all, no matter how solid the company plan is, if the employees arent able to return to work, business (and customers) will suffer.

Anyway, that is the reason I am starting to speak on emergency preparedness with our staff and with others who have asked.

The hub, who works in Alaska, has been watching as the company he works for changed owners and conducted a house cleaning of staff. Some the hub agreed with, others not so much. We have been cautiously waiting to see what his employee status would be with each return rotation. So far so good. They have far fewer staff now than they did this time last year, meaning they are going into busy season shorter staffed. He asked about a raise, and was told he got $1 an hour raise! This is relieving because for now, his employment will continue and even better, they have told him he can work as much OT as he wants this winter. I am relieved that we may have dodged the unemployment bullet this year.