Nathanael Giovanni Opoulos from Ogden, Ut

[Nathanael Giovanni Opoulos]

Who is this new person you ask? Well, I will endeavor to illuminate. Nathanael G. Opoulos or yours truly was born in West Jordan but moved to Sanpete county Ut at the tender age of three. Succeeding years led to the pursuit of many idle and trivial agendas until I met my sweetheart while working a summer job at Fish Lake Resorts. Having been so besotted, I found myself suddenly in the Ogden area due to the educational pursuits of said fair maiden. As of yet my own direction in life had not been firmly set and meandering from one poor job to another finally arrived at a startling epiphany. I had few if any marketable skills, or at the very least had no idea how to market the abilities which I did possess. This led to enrollment at OWATC which is easily ranked within the top five best decisions I've made in my life so far. After the acquisition of three machining certificates  and a profitable internship I find myself gainfully employed with Williams International, where my nights are filled with crafting parts for jet engines and missiles. It sounds more glorious than it is, but despite the monotony oft encountered, it remains fulfilling to be engaged in honest work that interests both the hands and mind. The lofty position of night shift machinist has allowed the elimination of outstanding debts and betwixt my wife and I, the accumulation of a modest savings.

Thus we come to the crux of the matter, my upbringing being such that I have been ingrained with a strong aversion to debt. The indigent state of my forebears directly caused by its awful spectre in their time. This being the case I have put off a mortgage and was intent on saving over the course of 7 years towards the ownership of a home, at which time I would re-evaluate my position. However, the concept of house hacking was recently brought to my attention. That, combined with the ever increasing burden of monthly rent has led me to Bigger Pockets. It is my purpose to educate myself circa real estate and to accrue the financial acumen needed to gain my own freedom from lucre. Perhaps, by so doing, I may be blessed to repay in some small measure my estimable Mother and Father, to whom I owe so much. 

In conclusion, my goals are as follows:

     1. Setup a successful house hack, thus freeing up the $1000+ currently locked into rent monthly

     2. Achieve financial freedom, starting at matching the income from our jobs.

     3. Provide for my parents and become the most dependable member of my family.

I'm afflicted with doubts here and there, but ultimately I know that I can achieve success. The doubts that I have can be resolved through proper education. I look forward to working with you and hope to pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself.

Sincerely,

Nathanael Giovanni Opoulos

P.S. I don't have a photo that I wouldn't be embarrassed to have represent me at this time. I am in the process of remedying that, in the meantime, know that I am of European descent and that the Irish/Scottish portion of my ancestry has manifested itself most prevalent. Although I'm no heartthrob I certainly have my own share of vanity. At least one girl didn't mind my looks. Since she said yes, I'd say we're doing just fine.

[Race Ostler]

@Nathanael Giovanni Opoulos, there are many people who have aversion to risk. I think sometimes it is justified but often times it is not. People fail to consider two things:

1) that the riskiness of an investment is largely determined by your familiarity with the underlier. Meaning, house-hacking your first triplex may appear to be very risky to your parents because they have not spent hundreds of hours scouring forums, books, and the MLS. Where there is not at least some risk there can be no opportunity. Therefore risk is a good thing

2) not all debt is the same. Many people fail to make the distinction between good debt and bad debt. Some people lump consumer credit card spending on wasteful unnecessary toys in the same category as a mortgage that in 5 years makes you a lot of money. Those are two very different things but both are called debt. If something pays you that is a good thing- that's exactly what real estate mortgages do especially in the long run