According to Sharon’s Castille’s daughter Ebonique, the best thing about the Castille family’s new home is not having to share a bedroom with her mother. Although the two are close, they didn’t want to be quite that close, and the lack of privacy in their small rental home was putting a strain on their relationship.

With two teenagers and a limited budget, Sharon had learned to be frugal and self-sufficient, but she still found herself occasionally stressed about making ends meet and being able to keep up with the responsibilities of home ownership. However, she now says, “I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff. There are so many bigger and more important things to think about.”

One of those more important things is considering some new career possibilities. “I want to better myself,” she explains. “I want to take up another trade. Since I’ll be paying a zero-interest mortgage, I can make the time to improve myself. I’m willing to make a change and I see life changing for the better.” Sharon and her family moved into their forever home in September 2012.