Just ranting a little…I have been working so hard, both at my day job, and also learning new skills. I’m tired, but I wont give up. I am going to figure this thing out and it’s going to be great on all levels!

So, I am learning a lot, reading a lot, working on my blog and how to link things and also drive traffic. Its a bit of a steep learning curve, but I am pushing forward. My husband is cheering me on and is really wondering how all this will turn out. I am learning about sales funnels, and all that goes with them. I’ll keep you posted as I move along – again, this is fascinating! I am really enjoying the journey.

So….. trying as a middle aged woman to learn about this thing called E-commerce is not for the faint of heart, or those who lake tenacity in any way, shape, or form! I figured out how to create a page on my Facebook account that is for this crazy adventure, and then linked it with this blog, then added ads to this blog…. sorry….. it had to be done.

This is a very interesting experiment. Now to explore Affiliate Marketing and also some other options like Fiverr and photo sales….. lets see where this journey takes us!

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

This was probably the most transformative of all the books I read. It is an eye opening book that has truly valuable content. It actually helped me to have conversations with my teenage children about money, that will hopefully one day help them to have the right money mindset.

The Richest Man in Babylon

Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant

Think and Grow Rich

There were more, but these were the best, in changing mindset. Happy reading!

Well it’s been a long time, the past 2 years have been crazy at best. My goal to be completely out of debt has been realised but in a different way than I thought. We went through a rough spot in our marriage, emerged on the other side okay but still a work in progress. We sold our house and moved from one side of the US to the other. Now we have no debt, however we are now renting a home because we can’t afford to buy another one. Not yet at least.. More good things to come as I explore alternate income sources as a means to fund our new adventure!

So, I was all optimistic thinking this is a piece of cake- I’ll be able to move forward with this no problem. Well life has a way of throwing roadblocks up where you don’t want them. We ended up having a sizable repair needed on our house which of course but is further into debt. I’m not going to let it get me down though. Trying to stay positive, make the payments; work it getting extra money anyway I can to pay things down. Trudging forward -I can do this!!!

So when I started this journey, I wanted to find a way to gain a lot of money fast.  I have been reading and reading, and the resounding theme is – I have to clean up my financial mess before I can move forward with any other plan, and most likely, I will be doing it the old fashioned way – one bill at a time.

Things I have learned:

First things first – get control, then go for it.

Develop a plan – without a plan, you can’t get control.

If you are married and plan to stay that way – your spouse has to be on board and as involved as you, otherwise everything you do will be offset by your spouse and you will become resentful.

Be fearless – being in debt and living paycheck to paycheck is uncomfortable, cutting back or getting a second job to pay the debt off is even scarier.

Celebrate wins – large or small, paying off a $100 bill, losing five pounds, or saving $1,000 for the first time – it doesn’t matter, Celebrate your achievement!

You know how at a point in your life you reach the moment where you decide to grow up?  That happened for me earlier this year when I arrived home from a vacation to my home state to visit family and friends.  I was miserable half the time I was there, being 100+ pounds overweight and pre-hypertensive, in denial, and worried about our financial future.  I decided that I would begin walking every day at 10:00, a couple laps around my office.  I also decided to take the medication that the doctor had prescribed for my water retention.  I have been doing so faithfully for about 2 months, and am now up to 4-5 laps.  I haven’t seen much improvement in my weight, although my ankles are actually visible now… however my attitude is a different story.

Because I am walking outside, I have time to think.  I started thinking about our finances.  They are a mess, we are typical middle class with two kids in middle school, mortgage, second, a credit card with running balance, car loan, medical bills, etc.  I no longer want to live paycheck to paycheck, so I decided to search for the end of the rainbow myself.  I started reading every book on financial freedom I could find, and came up with some plans.  I have decided that I wanted our family to be completely debt free in 6-7 years, including the mortgage.  Mind you, I have no idea how that is going to happen.  This is the story of my journey, I hope you will come along for the ride and cheer me on!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton