SAINT PAUL, Minn. — It's not unusual to see dozens of homes and businesses near the Minnesota State Fairgrounds open up their front yards, letting folks park for a fee.
For Michelle Markovich-Duren, who lives on Como Avenue near the grounds, she's done the same.
"We've been doing parking for five years, besides 2020," she said.
But on their signs, advertising parking is something a little different.
"A lot of people do a lot of things for their kids, you know," Markovich-Duren said. "They're my babies. They're my babies."
That includes what that money is going towards.
"When my older one went to college, that's when the college fund began," Markovich-Duren said.
Since then, business has boomed, likely bolstered by the proximity to the Como gate.
"The Como entrance here, which is only a couple blocks from us," she said.
"I do make thousands," she added. "So it's worth, you know, I take time and work remotely so I can help my girls."
That help has paid off. Her oldest has already graduated, and her youngest is still in school.
"I remind them, you know, each time someone parks, they're helping you out," Markovich-Duren said.
Things have been a little slower than normal, Markovich-Duren said – she believes partially due to the weather.
"Weather always plays, you know, Mother Nature, she has her own time schedule," she said.
Still, Markovich-Duren says she'll happily keep doing this with her kids to help them get a head start on student loans – something she knows will grow with her youngest.
"She'll get her bachelors in exercise science, and then she's off to go get a doctorate," Markovich-Duren said. "So, we'll be here for a few years."