What inspired you to become an investor?

[Christopher Penaflor]

I know you most likely weren't influenced by your teachers at school, so what compelled you to become an investor? 

Was is a book? Family member? Friend? Social Media Influencer?

I'd love to hear your story 

[Sam Yin]

@Christopher Penaflor

The short version is this:

I was taking a class in Dec 2019. There was an older guy in class that looked lonely. I invited him to lunch during the break between class. In our 15 min ride to get tacos, with 2 others guys my age, he asked what type of retirement plan each of our employers gave. There was nothing stellar. I did tell him that I over the last several years I have purchased 3 SFRs with 15 yr mortgages and they will be paid off around when I will retire. I lived in one for a few years to fix it up. All were fixers. I was breaking even, or actually losing money every month because I self manage. But I figured in 15 years, they will be paid off and I'll start to make some cash flow. He said he invested OOS. He was an auditor in his 60s. I'm barely in my 40s.

He asked me 2 questions that changed my life. He asked if I followed the 1% rule, I told him I never heard of it. He then asked what was my CAP rate, I told him I never heard of it. The conversation ended because class resumed. But I was intrigued. I wrote it on my hand and looked it up on Google that night. I HAD NEVER USED THE INTERNET TO LOOK THINGS UP until that point. I never knew there was so much info online. My life had just revolved around work, raising kids, and terrorizing the neighborhood on my motorcycles.

Needless to say, my Internet research led to YouTube, which eventually led to the Bigger Pockets podcast around Feb 2020. I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS SO MUCH INFO ON YOUTUBE until that point. Kept learning and started to test out what I heard on YouTube that June of 2020... Middle of the pandemic.

Within 2 years of hustling, I achieved F.I. and quickly R.E. Now I'm a house husband by choice. Raise kids full time. Enjoy what life has to offer. And I still continue to invest in RE. It has been a life changer.

I did it for generational wealth, but lately, I'm rethinking the whole generational thing... But only time will tell if my kids even care to carry the torch. I hope one day they will realize it's power and how it has provided for EVERYTHING we do these days.