What a crazy business. Hemorrhaging cash, but feeling positive!

[DJ Cummins]

For the money that my wife and I have spent in the past two months, I could have bought a brand new truck, or bought a the camper that we have wanted for a long time.  Or an awesome hot tub, which would make my back problems feel so much better.  Some of our family and friends are taking week long "fancy" vacations, and we having money flying out of our pockets in multiple directions without leaving our home.  My wife and I are focusing on our future, and looking forward to the delayed gratification in a few years.  I just wanted to let all of the new investors know that this business really is worth it, and that one day the rewards will be greater than you can imagine.  

In the past two months: we spent $9,200 rehabbing an apartment after a tenant left us with a disaster of a unit, bought another property for $55,000(9k down payment), are currently rehabbing that property which is going to run us around $8,500, and last night we had a refrigerator pass away that we have to replace tonight(probably around $400-500 thanks to the Memorial Day sales).  So we have spent over $26,000.00 in the past two months.  I would have laughed at you two years ago if you would have asked me if we could pull something like that off.  We are not rich by any stretch of the imagination.  Out of all my friends in my age group(34) I would estimate that we are slightly above average here in the Midwest.  We have been frugal, and have not spent a dime of our rental income in the past two years.  That money, along with paying ourselves first from our W2 paychecks has really helped us grow, and we are finally starting to see the snowball gain some size.

We have been investing for right at two years now, have 3 properties(6 units--a four-plex and 2 SFR). Our currently yearly gross cash flow totals are(once this current property is finished with the renovation and rented out): $43,000.00-ish depending on some laundry income. I wish this was the net amount, but we are getting there! Stay focused, stay positive, and work hard. If you can do all three of these things, you will be right along side of us, heading towards our financial freedom!

Keep your heads up, and stay thirsty my friends!

Happy Memorial Day to everyone,

DJ and Erin Cummins

[Joel Owens]

Yes as you get older you start seeing father time down the road closer in the distance! lol

Saving is good but perspective changes as you get older.

The way I imagine things is I am on a long road. To the right and the left of the road are choices with memories I have made to take with me in life as I age. If the choice was to work all the time then getting toward the end of life waiting to enjoy it the time left is not enough to do most of what many people would like.

Tomorrow is not promised for anyone so enjoy the present.

I used to just focus on returns but these days the question I ask myself daily is .... Am I loving who I want to love? Am I happy and passionate about what I do? Am I working with clients,people with partnerships, and businesses who I respect and I am in alignment with?

There are tons of ways to grow money but balance and quality of life are key and having fun with the daily journey.

I know many people who are old and accumulated lot's of money. They have limited time and mobility to enjoy it. So plan for tomorrow but definitely live for and enjoy today within reason. It might not work for everyone but is at least my mantra.

DJ you might want to look into the book by David Krulac titled (How I made started with nothing and made 12 million in real-estate part time). He focuses on tax sales.