A family dream in progress ~ one fix, one dollar, and one story at a time.
This dream started around Christmas last year, when my son and I began talking about building a home that could bring together four generations — my mom, my son and daughter-in-law, my grandkids, and me. We’re calling it our 4-Generation Home Project, and the goal is to have it fully funded and in progress by my 53rd birthday on June 7, 2028, or sooner if possible.
When I turned 30, I moved to Georgia. Now, as I’ve turned 50, I’m beginning a new chapter with the same determination: to build something lasting, loving, and secure for our family’s future.
Why This Matters To Me
This isn’t just about building a big house. It’s about creating stability, connection, and legacy. I want my family to always have a place to come home to. A place where my mom can be close, my grandkids can grow up together, and my son and his wife can keep building the financial freedom he’s been working so hard for.
The Mission
Right now, we’re in debt-payoff and saving mode until my son’s current home and land are fully paid off and the deed is in hand. Once that’s done, we’ll be ready to move into the planning and research phase: getting quotes, understanding zoning rules, and figuring out exactly what kind of home we can build on that property (or, if needed, a new piece of land).
The faster we can pay off the existing land and save money, the faster we can begin the real build.
I’ll be contributing through my online business, my day job, careful saving, and selling my house. Every tool, blog post, and product I create through Project: Improve Me helps fund this dream.
Current Goals
- Pay off the rest of my debt (except school loans and mortgage)
- My son will continue paying off his house/land and his debt
- I will continue to help pay for my grandson’s preschool fees
- Grow my online income to help fund this dream
- Continue building my business systems and audience so this dream becomes reality
The Phase One Plan
Phase One is all about financial freedom and stability.
We’re focused on:
- Paying off all existing personal and property debts
- Building savings and emergency funds
- Researching home build requirements, zoning, and cost options
- Continuing to grow my online income through courses, tools, and content
- Preparing for the day I can sell my current home and put every dollar toward the new family home fund
Once the land is clear and paid for, we can move to Phase Two: planning and building. [Of course I’ve already started sketching out my dream home plan.]
The 3-Year Countdown
Goal Date: June 7, 2028 – My 53rd Birthday
Date | Milestone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
2025 | Pay down debts and grow online income | Clear Foundation Phase |
2026 | Land fully paid off and deed secured | Must be done before we start build |
2027 | Begin early planning and research | Zoning, design options, possible ADU |
2028 | Start building | Goal: 4-generation home in progress |
The Bigger Picture
This journey fits perfectly within my Midlife Map, which guides how I live and build through the three paths I teach:
ClearMind Digital Reset – simplifying, decluttering, and focusing on what matters most
Smart Solo Money Rebuild – managing money wisely on one income while building wealth
Pen Your Past Reflect – preserving family stories and creating a meaningful legacy
The 4-Generation Home Project is where all three paths meet ~ clarity, financial strength, and family legacy working together to create something real.
💗 Follow Along
I’ll be sharing updates, lessons, and progress as we move closer to this dream. Some months might be slow, but every step counts.
If you’d like to follow along or get updates about new posts and progress, you can join my email list below.
as of October 2025 ~ Goal: June 7, 2028
Project: Improve Me! – Because Your Second Half Should Be Your Best Half.
More about me and my mission: 👉🏼 HERE
Hi! I’m Kari. I started Project: Improve Me in 2025, right after turning 50, because I wanted something more meaningful than just spreadsheets and journal entries. I’m a single grandma working in accounting, and I see so many women overwhelmed at this stage of life. That’s why I’m here — to help midlife women get their digital lives in order, stress less about money, and share their stories… even if no one’s asking for them. It’s not about fixing your whole life overnight, just making it a little easier one step at a time.
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