Current Standing

Current Standing

Lender · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2015 · 107 posts · 36 votes

Let me start this out by saying bad things happen but good people work their way out of it.

Due to2 babies, my health and several hospital stays the following is my situation.

Own my home. I bought it on land contract. I have a $18k on an equity line. variable based on Wall Street Prime currently 5.24% payment is $250 per month.

The property has a merged parcel value with parcel (Drive by appraisal 2013 at $20k.)House needs windows, gutters and siding badly.

$8k in card debt rates vary between 12 and 21,99%. $200 per month.

$46k in student loans. Income based $0 per month till May 2016.

$1,500 in medical debt. $25 per month.

$6,000 on an installment debt because the sewer line collapsed last year. 5.5% interest $175 per month.

Personal Loan $1500 repaid at $250 per month (balance of the land contract after deed was transferred.)

Own free and clear a 10 year old mini van that runs pretty well.

I have $2800 in a Roth 401k and $1500 in a Roth IRA.

I work in 100% commission sales as a mortgage originator and income varies per month from $0-10k.

We drained our emergency fund last month due to some health issues.

We budget $2k per month for bills and try to keep $1500-2000 in an emergency fund and liquid. Biggest individual expense being food as I have a special diet due to my Chron's and Celiac.

Everything left over goes towards paying down debt. There is not usually a lot left over due to getting caught up from the lean months.

Plans: Re-establish the emergency fund but boost to 6 months reserves. ($2000 x 6 months= $12k,)

Try save up to 10% gross of my pay check after the $2k budget is met then put the rest into debt reduction.

Find somebody I can work with/for in Real Estate Investing to learn hands on and observe their methods.

Use the 10% gross savings to invest in a property.

Get free of all debt but business and eventually be able to go all cash as it makes sense.

Establish at least 3 other streams of income (preferably 5) so we are not reliant on my commissions to meet the budget. Each stream being able to fully cover my budget.

Move out of downtown to a hobby farm and eventually do loans and real estate sales full time.

The reason for this post is two parts. 1 Know where you are at so you can know where you are going. 2. Publicly state your goals with a plan and it has a higher chance of success.

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  • Anthony GaydenPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Omaha, NE · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    11y

    @Aleks Gifford

    That is a lot of debt.

    I do want to give you some good news though. Others have been in your position before, myself included, and were able to get out of debt and take control of their finances.

    If you haven't already read the book The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, I highly recommend that you read it.

    I can't with any amount of sincerity suggest that you even look at Real Estate investing until you handle your debt.

  • Lender · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2015 · 107 posts · 36 votes
    11y

    My wife and I went through his class. That is how we cut $47k in debt in 2 years. We are making progress on the rest and as such that is why I am here to learn. We are saving and learning while paying down debt so we can be in a position to invest in real estate as a business.

  • San Francisco, CA · Member since 2015 · 39 posts · 9 votes
    11y

    You don't need a lot of capital for Wholesaling.  I spent total $500 on leads (Listsource) postage and postcards, in 6 weeks I flipped my first deal.

    Focus on one niche and learn all the angels about it, then take action.  

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