Do you take care of your future self?
Email this article to a friend
Thank Goodness I did! I want to thank my 26-year-old self, and my brother!
As many of you know I tell a joke about my Subway financial failure. The $60,000 dept was not an exaggeration (though doubling it was a little, but that was how it felt.) Back then I had to make a decision that would impact me now, 15 years later. My brother had explained to me the importance of my credit and that later in life I will be asked if I EVER declared bankruptcy.
I made a decision to find a way out, without quitting. I scraped and scrounged, and it has taken me many years to financially dig out of that hole. I was not proud that I had to move back home with my parents, but I did what I had to do. I effectively “burned my ships.”
There was no giving in at that time, tough it would have been much easier for me.
As a result of that decision years ago I was able to get a great loan at a great interest rate even when the mortgage market is upside down. Even the mortgage lenders were surprised. It really stemmed from that decision I made and the persistence to stick to it and find ways to never be late on payments of any kind, even when it meant many times I went “without.”
The life we are living now is a direct result of decisions we made in the past. That being said, are you making decisions now that will make life better for your future self?
Stage time,
PS Update: Sorry I have not blogged in a week, but I get the keys to my first house on Friday! (Funny of course, I will be in Toronto with Ed Tate teaching the HUMOR BOOT CAMPtm) Guess, I see it Monday.
WOO-HOO!! Party at Darren’s house this weekend… while he’s in Toronto! Yeah!!
Hey… congrats on the new house! I’m looking forward to helping you pick out curtains and paint colors!
(…I’m thinkin’ a nice calming fuschia in the kitchen?)
tee hee hee
Darren,
What’s up with the blog? No entries since Oct.2nd? Inquiring minds (of your fellow speakers) want to know what you are up to (and what you are learning along the way)!
As a fellow blogger (www.areaA4.blogspot.com), I hope to see more soon!
If you are looking for inspiration from another follically-challenged blogger (I can say that “cuz I are one”)…Seth Godin’s marketing blog at http://www.sethgodin.typepad.com.
Hope all is well !
Dave Wheeler
Member, WestConn Toastmasters, Danbury, CT
(Where you spoke in 2001 or 2002, I think)
What a great feeling about having your own home.
In 1996 I purchased my dream home. Like yours no lawns just dirt. I was able to create the yard I always wanted. I sold that home in 2005 for 400k more than I paid for it. In Feb 2003 I lost my job and have not had full time employment since but like you I have never missed or been late on any payment of any kind. It is amazing if you are determined enough what you can accomplish.