OfflineI had to share. I really need to sit down in the next few days and figure out exactly what I've made, and how my net worth has grown since I joined the Success Academy in late 2009. I will come back and report for sure mainly to keep on sharing with one another how it really can be done and how amazing RE has been in my life, so others can see they can do it too!!
My two babies (age 9 months and 2 1/2 keep me hopping) and sometimes I have little time to reflect and keep up with all the progress I've made because there is too much to do to move forward. But I really need to be thankful for what Carol shared in her Edge presentation, "I'm not where I want to be, but I'm not where I used to be." Amen. That is what I'm reflecting on today!
One thing that was critical to my learning at The Edge this year ----was coming back to that goal-setting as being SOOOO very specific.
My goals last year were, get at least 4 more houses rehabbed/rented (in addition to our rentals at that time) and 1 flipped retail before I had a baby in August. I accomplished my goals --one closing was the day of her birth, really!. That goal allowed me to stay home with my new baby girl for 8 months due to the new cashflow. We were thrilled. That goal also helped us move during that time into a new home that has much more space for our children to play ---which was another goal of mine, very specifically set to happening exactly when it did...a few months ago!
But one goal that I have had for the past 3 years is to retire my husband from his job. What I realized is, that I hadn't set specific goals as to what it would take to do that. I didn't even have a financial number in mind. I need to do this in order to attain this goal! So this past week, he pulled his pay stub to look at the break down, look at medical insurance, etc... Then I took that number and figured out exactly what kind of cashflow is needed to attain that goal.
So I have set June 1 of 2014 as the date for it to happen. I actually think I could potentially do it by February, but I'm putting a lot of systems in place right now and it is time consuming so I want to be realistic. Plus I'm also wanting to get some more retail flips done too in this time.
I'm in the process of 3 more rental properties at the moment that will complete in the next 30 days, but after those properties, I will need 12 more properties to retire my husband ---(at the same rate I'm going, or of course if I got into multi-units, I may need less).
I am so excited that not only I see this as realistic and do-able, but excited that my husband now sees this as well and believes it. I wouldn't have thought this was do-able at all by this early in my life or his in late 2009 when I started. I am thrilled that as I've grown in this business, that his belief in me and in real estate investing has also grown. And next June will mark 4 1/2 years in this business for me---including 2 babies born with 14 months taken off from working RE with 22 deals done! I'm thrilled that it will support our family completely soon!!!
We currently have 9 rentals + 1 in our IRA. 12 more rentals and counting starting now!!! I will keep you all posted.
Current Journal on Dean's site: The Second Chapter: http://tinyurl.com/p986al3
First Journal on Dean's Site: From the Beginning: http://bit.ly/ocv10
Thanks for sharing your journey, and for emphasizing the need for goal setting.
Can't wait for your post after you've gotten those 12 additional properties (and something tells me that you won't be stopping there).
GREAT JOB!!!
Stephan Roberts
"In absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia!"
Here is a FREE property analyzer I've found:
https://tvallc.infusionsoft.com/go/RehabLite/sroberts/
It's a great tool to use to help analyze your deals (and did I mention it's FREE)! But, you really should spend the $97 and get the full premium edition! IT'S AWESOME!!
You are right on. you can do anything you put your mind to. And what an awesome goal!! I love your energy.I am so glad your husband is now on board I know how important that is... I came home the other night and Dan had a whole batch of bandit signs ready to go
Best wishes my friend!
"Don't tell me I can't, Tell me how I can."
so Louisa, are we going to see you and your husband as a team at next years edge? you go gurl!!
whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.- Henry Ford
keep moving forward, rob
Thank you guys for the encouragement!!!
And Rob....YES!!! Hopeful at next year's Edge for sure!
Husband already said if I retired him, he would work with me!!! That was a shocker inspired by me asking him due to a post Donna did about she and her husband working together!! Thank you DONNA!!!
))
So psyched!!! I will still be dreaming when that happens, but it will happen!!! Take action!!! Think Big! Dream Bigger!!!
Current Journal on Dean's site: The Second Chapter: http://tinyurl.com/p986al3
First Journal on Dean's Site: From the Beginning: http://bit.ly/ocv10
Louisa!!!!! You are amazing!!! It absolutely will happen. I am so excited for you. So many wonderful accomplishments and so many more to go. Amazing and OUTSTANDING!!! WOOO HOOO!!!!
When you say thank you, you are telling the world that you want more. Say thank you every day! It will bring joy, and it will bring so much more.
www.virtue-investments.com
Look at how far you've come, and how far you're going! I hope you can attain your goal by next year & hope it works out for you.
Hi
I don't know how we missed eachother at the edge but I would have loved to have thanked you for a few of your posts. Your goals will get you to what you have set out to do. You seem to be moving down the road to true freedom (less than 2%) which most sad to say will never see. Will close a deal next week and use the money to buy edge tickets before they sell out again. Love to set goals on paper and mark them off when complete... Congrads again...NOW GO GET SOME
Not having a goal is worse than not setting one..
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/92139/... -
http://www.deansmedia.com/play.php?vid=266
I think it's so awesome that you are making this happen while your kids are so young...this means you will be able to stay home with them and spend more time with them. It also sounds like your husband will be able to do the same once you retire him!
Sounds like the goal setting really helps! Keep up the great work!
Teresa
College Station, TX
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"Declare that you will prosper despite every difficulty that may come your way. Don't just survive; thrive!"
-Joel Osteen
I always love when you find your way back to this site.
You are so incredibly busy! Two small children and one deal after another.
I am in awe of you!
It will be wonderful when you and your husband can work the business together. When a spouse comes around to doing that,it is a true affirmation in their confidence and belief in you and their recognition of your ability. Who needs a diamond bracelet? That is the greatest gift.
Love you, Darlin'.
Karen
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
Louisa,
you are so right about what Carol shared with us at the Edge; there are many of us who have come a long way since we joined the DG family! but we are still plowing every day, to get to where we want to be! Having our specific goals in front of us makes our journey a focused one, and not seem like an impossible task to accomplish...
So impressed by your determination and your energy! You are doing amazing girl, and I know that you will reach your goal a lot sooner than you think!!
Here's to all us DG women who are setting our husbands (and families) free!!! WoooHooo!!!
Valerie
“And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!” ― Dr. Seuss
"I believe in angels, the kind that heaven sends; I am surrounded by angels, but I call them friends" - Unknown
My journal: http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59110/...
Louisa,
Thanks for your post. With REI, I too am working towards that retirement goal. I am on my 6th SFR rentals and ready to buy another. Your story gives me tremendous encouragement. Keep us posted and keep up the great work.
Minnesota Bill
Louisa - THAT IS AWESOME!!! I'm so happy for you and glad to hear the plan with the realtor is working well! I'm looking forward to meeting you this week! KEEP IT UP - you are an inspiration to many!!!
Kristin
TIME = WEALTH = FREEDOM
Live STONG & Live with PASSION
I love your story - so inspiring! I'm sure you will be able to do it
Reminds me that I also have to be more specific in my goals for the year - thank you!!
P/S: Hope to see you at the Edge next year and congratulate you!
Real Estate Investor, if you would like the chance to work with me in the US East Coast, send me a PM (Private Message) anytime to see if we are a good fit for each other.
Wishing you abundance,
Ken Siew
Hi Louisa!!
You are just tearing it up. So very cool and very fantastic!!
I've missed you, and being here seeing how all the DG family are doing.
I'm on my third rental.. It has been such a slow road I've gone down. I used a HELOC to purchase rehabs (1 at a time)with (60K) and waited out my seasoning to get best interest rate to re-fi Plus a couple of other learning curve balls that took up some time. I'm going to see where I'm at time wise on the finish date of my current rehab and will probably be going on to in-house banks, which I know I should of started out there. This has got to go faster...
I get so proud and excited to read how you've done Louisa... 22 rentals? 2 babies now? Retiring your husband (plan)?
I've got to go get the lead out now and get this going a little faster...
Love you girl.. Keep it going....
Barbara
Owen Properties, LLC
Wow. Louisa, thanks for sharing. Goal setting is something I have to be more vigilant with. I know how important it is. You are so inspiring, and it was so great spending time with you in Arizona.
Know that I am here cheering you on. What a great "why"...you're amazing
Julie
John and Julie Wakefield
JCW Properties, LLC
Congrats! What an awesome testimony to what's going on in your life! I was at the Edge Event too and this post has really pushed me to reassess my goals. Thanks!
Kayla Brown
Cadence Investments, LLC
"I was born out of His heart."