Several years ago, as my husband and I were getting financially organized, I read The Millionaire Next Door. The book discusses how “ordinary” people are able to accumulate incredible wealth through certain “ordinary” behaviors.

The Millionaire Next Door offers various statistics about people who have assets in excess of a million dollars. The book mentions that, of the women who work outside of the home, the majority of their professions are teachers.

Immediately, I informed Sweet Husband of his luck in the marriage lottery.

Wait. What?

I went back and read the statistic again.

Teachers know that our salaries are not commensurate with our skills, so how can that be true?

Then. I realized.

Teachers are constantly being asked to do more with less. We are asked to lead programs with increasing numbers of students and decreasing funding. We are asked to make do with antiquated technology for another year, yet increase the use of technology. We are asked to work additional hours for very little pay.

These skills that we employ in the classroom relate to our home lives. We are asked to lead household budgets. We are asked to make do with antiquated technology for another year. We are asked to work out financial strategies.

In sum, we are used to working hard and living below our means. Any financial expert will tell you that those two choices will change your financial future.

That’s how millionaires can be in the classroom next door.

Allison Venuto teaches financial organizing in the Dallas area and owns Ducks in a Row Personal Organizing. Connect with her at www.ducksinarowdallas.com.

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