What would you do? Really looking for input!

[kimberland]

When I went through a very black period,
so black I considered ending it all,
I started playing the one good thing game.

Every morning when I woke up,
I told myself that if I couldn't find one good thing in the day,
it would be my last one.
By good, I meant a rainbow, a child's smile, a laugh, a gentle touch, chocolate
the small things.

You know what?
I never could.
There was always something.

And I found that by looking out for that one good thing,
I saw more and more good things.
It became a habit.
I do that with my marriage.
I do that with jobs I take.
I do that with everything.

Right now, it is natural for you to see the bad
(because you are worried about it and naturally focusing on it).
The one good thing game forces you to see the good.

BTW...
I grew up completely broke (no indoor plumbing, not eating every day)
and I was happy.
If you're worried about your son, kids truly don't need much.

 

[bflbob]

Thanks, we are major sticklers about personal responsibility too.

In answer to your question I don't know, I know I'm terrified he will miss a payment and that precious FICO score will go down.

We have spoken to several attys that have offered some sound solutions to handle the debt that do not involve bankruptcy, something neither one of us sees as an option. We have just been clinging to those payments and that credit score for dear life. I know we need to be willing to let it slide for a bit if that is what it takes but I'll tell you it is one of the hardest things to do when you worked so hard to get it into the category of "excellent".

Sue

Sue:

About 20 years ago, my wife and I were in the same boat financially. We owned and operated a flower shop and 13 greenhouses. We had never had to borrow money, and then all of the sudden interest rates went to 24% just at the time when our suppliers all tightened credit. We had to borrow to survive, and then we couldn't afford to repay it. We got behind on taxes, and owed a small fortune there. We saw no way out.

Fuel prices climbed, and that just made it tougher. We had greenhouses full of crops that needed heating. We couldn't just turn off the heat and let them die. But we couldn't pay for the fuel needed to heat them either. And both my wife and I were in the business (along with my parents, who had retired to Florida), so there was no "down time". We worked together all day, and most of the night. It sucked.

We reached the point where I knew we couldn't do anything more. And so, I quit. Sort of.

I wrote to all of our suppliers, letting them know the bind I was in. I told them that I couldn't promise to continue to pay the outstanding balances on a regular basis. I asked them to set the balances aside, and to continue to serve us on a COD basis only.

I promised that I would make every effort to pay a 1% interest payment to them each month on the outstanding balances, but could not promise any principle. I asked that, if they could, I would really appreciate it if I could get terms of "a few days" instead of COD. This would allow us time to sell their product in order to pay them.

What I found was that most companies (all but one) were more than generous. Some offered to carry us on a note at a lower interest rate. Others offered to set aside the old balance and continue to serve us on 30 day terms. Most just accepted our terms.

I argued that they could take us to bankruptcy, but that would just give the money to an attorney. Instead, I'd do my best to keep my word. And I did.

We struggled for another year or two, and started selling off surplus inventory. One-by-one, the greenhouses came down and were sold. Finally, we paid all but that one supplier back. (They kept attaching our bank account, but, true to our word, there was nothing there.)

Things changed. Times got better. We moved on.

The same will happen for you.

But you need to take action. I agree with some of the others who have posted here. Call your lenders and talk to them. There really is a lot of good in the world.

I wish both of you good luck, and a better 2009.

 

[yveskleinsky]

If you are only looking to free up $1000/month at best, I would stay put.

If you son does best in a structured, special needs environment uprooting him may cause you both a lot of unneeded stress.

Here are some thoughts on how to make $1,000+ month and stay put:

1. Open a home daycare in CA.
2. Open a home child care center for parents with kids with special needs, so if the parents need a break they can schedule time for you to watch their child while they catch a movie.
3. Open a group home.
4. Have a special needs person live with you. I have a good friend who has a moderately retarded older woman who lives with them (Mary). The situation is ideal for everyone involved as Mary gets a normal home environment, my friend's kids get a sweet "Auntie" who plays with them until they fall over, and the State pays them very well to care for her (over $40k a year I believe.) These situations don't have to be permanent; they can be more of a foster home situation until the person is placed in the right environment.

Just some thoughts. You have such a unique perspective, as well as specialized talents, being the parent of a special needs child as well as a nurse. With the combination of the two, I would think you could be in very high demand. ...I know when I worked with special needs kids, I came across so many parents who needed a break, but felt they couldn't even take 2 hours for themselves out of guilt or concern for their child's wellbeing. You would be perfect to help them bridge the gap.

On a lighter note, I'm glad to see you back and posting; I hope to see you both at the meetup again this year. Take care, and we'll be thinkin' of ya.

 

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[Bilgefisher]

I may be echoing what others are saying. So lets brainstorm.

To Start:
-Your looking to stay in Southern California for your kid and for yourselves.
-Your job is grinding you down
-you currently rent which costs you 3-5k/mo
-you put in 30 hours a week in ebay making $600-$900/mo.

You need 3k-5k more per month.
-without extra time on ebay
-without extra time at work

-Is it possible to reduce the rent payment?
-Are there other items on ebay you could sell that bring in more per item or require less prep time?
-could you create your own online store to streamline purchases?
-you mentioned the house in Chicago is nearly payed for, is it possible to use some of those funds to invest in another rental property or three?


-this may sound backward, but is it possible to drop the ebay all together? It sounds as if the time/reward factor may be low. cost breakdown of
ebay is 120 hours $900/mo. $7.5/hr.
Assuming $20/hr RN wage. (I imagine its higher but I have no idea) Now with overtime that would be $30/hr. You would need to work just 30 hours per month to equal you ebay sales. That frees up 90 hours per month or nearly 22.5 hours per week. Yes I know you hate RN, but it sounds as if you dislike ebaying as well and its cutting into your downtime quite a bit. Imagine what those 22.5hrs/wk could do for your overall outlook on things. Just an idea.

Either way, please keep us informed.

 

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[yveskleinsky]

I'm growing concerned about how the stress is affecting all of us as well...all Robert and I do is fight, like cats and dogs, we have been together over 5 years and never a cross word was said between us until money got tight, now we can barely look at each other. He feels like a failure, I feel like a failure, we don't sleep, we can hardly eat, now my little guy has started to feel the tension in the house and has started just moping about or trying to stay outside so he doesn't have to listen to us argue and fight..if we are not fighting it is because I'm crying and he just leaves me alone. I never thought our lives would become like this, there is never a moment of joy or relaxation for either one of anymore. I had a momentary contemplation of suicide this past weekend but of course know that is a cop out and not an option with my little guy.

Sue,

Take a deep breath. And again. One more time.

Money can bring out the worst in people, but only if you let it. Make up your mind right now to not let your current circumstances divide your family. Maybe go to Robert and let him know that you believe in him, and in yourself and you guys as a team. ...I know I do. You have a special needs child that you have dedicated your life to. Anyone who has made the sacrifices you have is a person who has strength of character, and is someone I believe in. You are stronger than you realize right now.

Money will flow in and out of your life. When it ebbs due to circumstances outside of your control, it does not mean you are a failure, it only means you just have less money. ... Maybe you guys need to sit down over a bottle of wine and brainstorm some solutions. Can you live with family? Can you move into an apartment? Can you sell a car? Focus on what you can do, then start planning to move in that direction. (Keep in mind that everything that is happening to you right now is all part of your story. Any good story has a few chapters of struggle. You will make it past this, and you will be wiser for it, and if you play your cards right your family can be even closer because of it.

Give your brain a break from all the stress and go have some "fun" :smxB: with your man.

And you hang in there, your kiddo needs you. ... If you ever need to talk, or just want someone to listen, feel free to PM me.

 

[PurEnergy]

Sue,

You need to know that you are not alone. Any one of us could be in the same or worse position than you are at any moment. I've said it before on here that my 16 year old son had a stroke this year. I thought life was OVER. He is doing fine today and is in the other room watching the Panthers game. If you and your family have your health, F... credit scores, money, and STUFF. Pretend your "kiddo" just had a stroke and see how important any of that is to you. It means nothing.

As far as I know you only live once. It's obvious that your child means everything to you as it does to me. You need to start over. I'm from California and moved to North Carolina where my wifes family is from. I say DO NOT MOVE if you don't want to. You can move to another area but why leave the beautiful state of California if you don't have to. I would move back there in a heart beat if I could. Regardless of all the traffic and other crap it's still one of the best places on the planet if you ask me. Just move to another area.

If you are a nurse you've got to be employable. Those are some of the highest paying JOBS there are right now and highly in demand. Do what you have to do. It's tuff right now and you are not alone. Get back on track and do what you can to take care of your family. Your friends and family are all that really matter. That "stuff" is all an illusion if you ask me. It can be gone in a second for any of us. I found that out the hard way this year.

Pick yourself up and put one foot in front of the other. If you and your family have your health you have everything you need. You only live once so don't let a day go by that you can't find some reason to love the life that you have. It may suck right now but you will survive. You didn't cause this freakin mess we are in.

I wish you the best of luck.

 

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[AroundTheWorld]

• yoga
• meditation
• write all your worries - - - free form in a journal each morning. Set a timer. Give yourself 10 minutes to rant and rave and grumble. Get it all on the page. Don't do it in one of those pretty journals (cuz then you will worry about writing all those horrid things) - - - a boring ol spiral notebook will do. Then, when the timer dings, put the notebook away, and close your mind to those thoughts. Don't worry. You can rant and rave for 10 minutues again tomorrow. This exercise gets it out of your brain and somewhere else. Take a few deep breaths. Then, get out another journal (a pretty one this time) and write down 5 things you are grateful for. These thoughts of gratitude can then carry you through the rest of your day.
• exercise
• prayer

Do any of these each morning for a week. I'll bet you notice a difference.

 

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[Russ H]

kimberland-

I do something similar, but just a bit different:

Before I go to sleep each night,
the VERY LAST thing I do
is think of at least 3 things that happened that day
that were special to me.

They can be big things
(got paid for a job, got a permit I needed for months)
or little things
(KT saying a new word, or enjoying the moon that night).

Most nights I can't stop at 3
And wind up falling asleep
remembering all of the amazing things
that happened to me on just that day.

****

When I get up,
I immediately think of 3 things
for which I'm thankful.

Again, big or small.

Starts the day off right.
With gratitude, instead of fear.

Writing this down, and reading it,
it just sounds silly.
But it really, really works.

Makes an amazing difference in my life.

-Russ H.

 

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[servicefly]

Nice pics... I am reminded of something I learned in the military that has brought me much success; "work smarter not harder." It seems you have begun this as you assigned Robert to the creative end and you have taken up your skills on the frugal end. You both should know that in times as this, many have made their fortunes. The money in the world has not disappeared, it has just shifted in ownership. The goal is to get more flowing to you. How?

At this point any business you (both) can create can generate you more money. 1st, figure out a business, 2nd, find a way to let as many people as you can know about your future business as possible. You will begin to attract people to your business before you spend any serious money. Basically I am telling you to create a buzz about a future business before starting it. 3rd, calculate what you need in money to be comfortable, then get enough people to want to be part of your business to account for this newly calculated income (add 20% to this number). 4th, take the risk of opening your new business by contacting all these people and sell them what they already want, your product or service. The hard part is getting the people (customers first) but it costs very little money.

I'll bet you already know many people with similar interests or something in common (like a PTA) who you can begin talking with (networking). Make the networking fun and relaxing so you can accomplish two main goals; networking for your future business and increasing your friend and support base during these hard times.

Happy Holidays, I wish you and your family the best.

Side Note: When I was homeless many years back, I did exactly this and built a company in 7 months which I sold for $350,000 in 2001. It can be done.

 

[yveskleinsky]

Hi,

Thanks, I am working really hard to be happy with the way things have turned out. I have some guilt issues to work through relating to feeling my son is going to be shortchanged financially by my decision to stay here at the beach with Robert but I'm working through them. I'm looking forward to achieving inner peace and acceptance of things in 2009.

Sue

Sue,

Kids don't care about money. They really, really don't. I had a dad who gave us everything, but we never saw him: he came home from work after we were in bed and was off to work before we woke up. All for us to have "the good life" and the things he never had growing up. The kicker is, is that I would've traded it all just to have him tuck me in at night.

You have made your family a priority by sticking with each other, and are making a concerted effort to keep peace in your home. ...Your son sounds like one of the luckiest kids I know.

 

[BeingChewsie]

Hi all Very long time no chit chat, hope everyone is doing well!

Looking for some input...

RE Taipan and I are considering leaving southern CA and moving to property we own in Chicago to lower expenses. We'd cut them to a $1,000 or perhaps a little less a month..our net income is about $6,000-$8,000 a month...the variation comes from ebay sales. The downside is this is would be a huge downgrade in living, we live on the pacific ocean, its warm, safe, and the schools are fantastic for my kiddo. The house in chicago is in a working class suburb, very blue collar, schools suck, and the house has been a rental..it is a huge 3+ bedrooms, 2.5 baths, inlaw apartment, attached garage and workshop off the garage and large fenced in backyard, it brings us a little over $500 a month in cashflow when rented..tenants just moved out. So the house is available. It seems like a no brainer but I'm fearful that we will get stuck there. Part of me believes that our expenses should not be stopping us and that even if we free up some cash it still won't be enough and we could be stuck in what I call the "gates of hell" for 5 years or more trying to make this happen...I could suck it up for 2 years, maybe 3 years but anything beyond that I don't think so. The big issue is that the schools suck and my kiddo has asperger's and has tons of social skills needs, he is in the gifted and talented program with a great IEP, and is working well above grade level. What would be his neighborhood school in chicago barely has a 70% proficient rating on state exams, his current school is CA has a 98% proficienecy rating on state exams and is a blue ribbon school. Homeschooling is out, he needs the structure of the school environment plus I'd need to work...so we have to consider private school which will push our expenses up..perhaps close to what they are in CA. Our pay would stay the same as RE Taipan's job is done online fron anywhere and I'm an RN and work as an independent contractor so I set my price. I was also considering the possibility of turning part of the house in chicago into a preschool/daycare..I have a degree in early childhood education and also being a nurse I think would be an added safety feature for parents. Anyway not to get to far off track I guess my question is..have any of you really downsized in order to free up cash to invest? Like moved to a not so great area from a great one in order to do it? iIm so torn and obviously if we can't rectify the school issue we will just have to suck it up here in CA until he is out of school because I simply can't have him in that neighborhood school. So What would you do?

 

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[bflbob]

So What would you do?

Pretty much anything for my kid.

 

[Jill]

Do you like Chicago, in general? Or are you just considering it because you have the rental property there? Why not rent it out again, then move somewhere cheaper that's still warm and has better schools?

If that's not a possibility or interest, then I would def go with private schools. I don't know about Chicago, but most decent private schools in our area will run you about $8000/yr. That doesn't eat up too terribly much from your expense savings.

 

[michaelscheuren]

If it were me, I would not move or at least not move until your child is out of school. It seems to me that where you live now is a better place to live and raise your family. If you moved and had to put your child into a private school and the expenses would be about the same as living where you are now, why move and downgrade your quality of living?

How old is your child? If he/she has a long way to go in school, would you want to move and then in 2-3 years move again while he/she is still in school?

I also agree with Jill. I would rent it out again and look for someplace cheaper, warm climate and great schools for your child.

You don't want to be stuck in the "gates of hell" if you don't have to be(it already seems like you don't like Chicago). But if you have a solid plan, you would be out in 2-3 years. It's just something I would not do. Good Luck. I hope whatever you choose works out for you!!

Just my .02

Michael.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

Tread carefully ... this is a Life Altering Choice. These decisions will impact your life forever, as well as your child.

Based on your description, it sounds like you don't want to move. I'd go with that feeling (if its true). Having lived in Chicago, I can tell you it isn't a piece of cake, and the expenses aren't far behind California. Did you know the city has the highest tax rate in the country? And the schools do suck, at least when I lived there. I fear there could be a high price to pay for your child.

If it were me, I'd consider renting the house or selling it before moving there. If you are set on a move, I'd consider a state with less taxes and lower cost of living -- Arizona, Texas, MS, FL, SD, etc. You might be able to achieve the same objectives after considering the long term costs (Moving, Bad Schools and the effects, Taxes, etc.)

 

[TaxGuy]

Having lived in Chicago, I can tell you it isn't a piece of cake, and the expenses aren't far behind California. Did you know the city has the highest tax rate in the country? And the schools do suck, at least when I lived there. I fear there could be a high price to pay for your child.

You beat me to it, I know So Cal has an insane cost of living, but moving to Chicago to curb that is like moving from Gary, IN to East St. Louis, IL to be in a "safer" city.

All in all I love it here, even though I do see the grass greener in other places when I visit, I can't trade the diversity Chicago has to offer despite landing on the "Most Segregated Cities" list year in, year out and on top of that the change in the seasons, which is a good thing-bad thing b/c at times I feel I have S.A.D. but then I try to remind myself of some of the great Winter memories that you don't get living in SoCal.

Bottom line is the choice is up to you, as far as schools it really depends on your child, i.e. being from Palatine I went to Blue Ribbon schools from K-12 which included xferring to a new grade-school in 5th grade for a gifted program and I loved it while my older brother went to the same schools, fell in with the wrong crowd and eventually dropped out with about a half yr to go in HS. Worst of all were some of the kids I knew that went to the "prestigious" private schools who were more messed up than anyone I knew in public school, but it was mostly b/c they were sent to a school that there parents wanted them to go to not by their choice.

So if you do decide, please consult with your kid first as moving is always difficult and a lot of your child's actions will be dictated by their environment- i.e. I played sports and hung out w/ the "intellectuals"(even though I was the idiot of the group :smx4 while my brother went from hanging out with good kids to hanging out with delinquents after he started going to night school b/c he stopped going to his classes and he still reflects all the bad qualities of his inner circle from HS 12yrs later....

If it were me, I'd consider renting the house or selling it before moving there. If you are set on a move, I'd consider a state with less taxes and lower cost of living -- Arizona, Texas, MS, FL, SD, etc. You might be able to achieve the same objectives after considering the long term costs (Moving, Bad Schools and the effects, Taxes, etc.)

+1 on AZ for lower cost of living especially since property is dirt cheap there now, not sure on how the school systems are, but my parents have made the migration for the Winter.

 

[BeingChewsie]

If you are only looking to free up $1000/month at best, I would stay put.

Just a quick reply to this one..the forum decided to eat my very long reply to everyone on this thread but I will retype it after charlie brown's thanksgiving is over.

It isn't freeing up $1,000 a month it is freeing up $5,000+ a month...maybe more but for the time being I'll be firm on $5,000 a month becoming free if we moved into the house but huge major decisions regarding the kiddo and the education issues...and on that note I'll be back

Sue

 

[BeingChewsie]

Tread carefully ... this is a Life Altering Choice. These decisions will impact your life forever, as well as your child.

Based on your description, it sounds like you don't want to move. I'd go with that feeling (if its true). Having lived in Chicago, I can tell you it isn't a piece of cake, and the expenses aren't far behind California. Did you know the city has the highest tax rate in the country? And the schools do suck, at least when I lived there. I fear there could be a high price to pay for your child.

If it were me, I'd consider renting the house or selling it before moving there. If you are set on a move, I'd consider a state with less taxes and lower cost of living -- Arizona, Texas, MS, FL, SD, etc. You might be able to achieve the same objectives after considering the long term costs (Moving, Bad Schools and the effects, Taxes, etc.)

Thanks MJ, I agree this has far reaching implications we are just trying to sort out if the short term costs are worth a potential long term gain for all of us...if we could work out the school issue it would make sense..even with the tax issue..we owe next to nothing on the house, even with taxes, insurance, and utilities the place runs under $700 a month...it is a great rental and makes us some money but just trying to see if it has a better short term use to us. I'm spoiled, I live in an alternate reality out here in Newport Beach, moving anywhere else to me is moving into the gates of hell, so it isn't Chicago I dislike, it is anywhere the other side of Pacific coast highway that I dislike . We will look closer at Arizona and Texas, our goal is to lower our expenses as much as possible for a period of time to free up capital to invest that we are now using to pay for a house here. Thank you for your feedback and we will proceed with caution which ever direction we decide to go.

Sue

 

[yveskleinsky]

It isn't freeing up $1,000 a month it is freeing up $5,000+ a month...maybe more but for the time being I'll be firm on $5,000 a month becoming free if we moved into the house but huge major decisions regarding the kiddo and the education issues...and on that note I'll be back

Sue

$5k/month changes things! ...Would you consider any of the options that I mentioned earlier?

 

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[BeingChewsie]

$5k/month changes things! ...Would you consider any of the options that I mentioned earlier?

Hi,

I would consider them and have in the past not something we can do here in this neighborhood in CA. In fact that is what I have been considering for the house in Chicago, since he owns that one. Especially interested in daycare..but all of that has to come behind my little guys education so if we can't solve that issue then we will stay put where we are in CA and just bite the bullet until he is out of high school in 8 years. I just wondered if anybody with kids had downgraded their lifestyle in order to free-up money to invest.

Sue

 

[biophase]

Being from Chicago and having visited Balboa Island many times I just can't imagine doing that. You mention that you're suburban city isn't even that great. The lifestyle change in going to be huge. Do you want to move to Chicago or are you only choosing it because you already have a home there?

What are you doing with your home on Balboa island? Are you selling it, renting it out? Why not just move to somewhere else in LA and rent?

 

[Jonleehacker]

Reading between the lines, here's what I'm getting:

You're feeling pressure and the first response to it is to shrink to relieve the discomfort. I realize it's easy from the outside, but here's what my wife and I would do:

1. Start by pretending that life is completely cooperative and describe EXACTLY what we want as if all we had to do was ask and it would be given without any effort required.
   
2. Next step, look at our desire and ask, "how can we make this happen?" and commit to going through the process to make it come true.
   
3. Be open to give up control and to receiving help from unexpected sources.
   
4. Take it step by step until the goal is achieved.

I'd consider this situation a test, will you act, even when things feel against you, from a place of empowerment, or settle for less than your dream life. If you settle, it becomes tougher to turn that momentum around.

 

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[Russ H]

Figure out a way to have your kid go to the same school, but live in a house that is NEARBY, but not as pricey.

Rent out the Chicago home.

Reading between the lines of your OP, what I hear is:

1. Your kid is thriving where he is, and this is HUGE (for any parent)

2. You won't like moving to anywhere else.

3. You are making the move in part from discomfort/fear of loss.

As Robert Kiyosaki's rich dad once pointed out, "I hear people saying to their kids, 'I can't afford to get that for you'. But what I say to myself is, 'How can I afford to get that for you?' And then I figure out how to make the money to do it."

-Russ H.

 

[BeingChewsie]

Hi Russ,

Yes he is thriving the school is fantastic. I moved here from Boston and if I never had to cross to the other side of PCH again I'd be happy. I'd say probably from discomfort, we'd like to take advantage of the current downturn in the economy and invest and it seemed logical to attempt to free up cash but if it hurts the kiddo that isn't fair. We will probably just stay here, I'm so torn I fear looking back in 5-6 years and being upset that we didn't just bite the bullet and scale back to free up those funds to invest. It seemed smart to free up $5k+ a month, that is a good chunk of change, that could be put to far better use than making my landlords mortgage payment but I understand what you saying and leaving here would not be something I'd want. More than likely we will stay here because the kiddo has to come first. Thanks for your input Russ!

Sue

Figure out a way to have your kid go to the same school, but live in a house that is NEARBY, but not as pricey.

Rent out the Chicago home.

Reading between the lines of your OP, what I hear is:

1. Your kid is thriving where he is, and this is HUGE (for any parent)

2. You won't like moving to anywhere else.

3. You are making the move in part from discomfort/fear of loss.

As Robert Kiyosaki's rich dad once pointed out, "I hear people saying to their kids, 'I can't afford to get that for you'. But what I say to myself is, 'How can I afford to get that for you?' And then I figure out how to make the money to do it."

-Russ H.

 

[BeingChewsie]

Reading between the lines, here's what I'm getting:

You're feeling pressure and the first response to it is to shrink to relieve the discomfort. I realize it's easy from the outside, but here's what my wife and I would do:

1. Start by pretending that life is completely cooperative and describe EXACTLY what we want as if all we had to do was ask and it would be given without any effort required.
   
2. Next step, look at our desire and ask, "how can we make this happen?" and commit to going through the process to make it come true.
   
3. Be open to give up control and to receiving help from unexpected sources.
   
4. Take it step by step until the goal is achieved.

I'd consider this situation a test, will you act, even when things feel against you, from a place of empowerment, or settle for less than your dream life. If you settle, it becomes tougher to turn that momentum around.

Thank you for the input. We will probably just stay where we are, even though it is the most likely the right thing to do, it makes me feel kind of sad, like I'm going to look back in a few years and think why didn't we just do it, we could of been in a much better financial place if we had.

 

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[servicefly]

I would like to start by saying I am a single father to my daughter so I understand the parent perspective. Also, my best friend and business partner has an autistic son of 8. He loves the school system in the Inland Empire (CA) because of their IEP programs. We are even working on an Autism Foundation, but I digress...

You shouldn't reduce your lifestyle if you have an ongoing business. Take a strong look at your business model and figure out how to increase your revenue stream by $10,000 per month. $5,000 just doesn't seem enough to improve your life.:smug2:

It can be done and the Fastlaners can help you. Tell us how your side business works and let us help you increase your bottom line. Many have branched away from Ebay to become millionaires, why not you?

 

[andviv]

If you are now paying ~4K or ~5k a month in rent then I'd assume you could buy a house given the current market conditions. It may not be beach-front property, but like Russ said, a close by location to disrupt the less possible your lifestyle. Would that work?

 

[BeingChewsie]

I believe as of right now we are not going to go. I know staying is the right thing to do for my kiddo even if it keeps us in a pressure cooker, the kids have to come first, and it is only 8 more years. Thanks everyone for the input.

Sue

 

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[BeingChewsie]

You shouldn't reduce your lifestyle if you have an ongoing business. Take a strong look at your business model and figure out how to increase your revenue stream by $10,000 per month. $5,000 just doesn't seem enough to improve your life.:smug2:

It can be done and the Fastlaners can help you. Tell us how your side business works and let us help you increase your bottom line. Many have branched away from Ebay to become millionaires, why not you?

Hi,

I'm sorry I have not been able to get back to this. I don't really have an ongoing business. I sell used clothes on ebay, I make about $800-900 a month and work at it at least 30 hours a week, sometimes more, it is almost a fulltime minimum wage job. I work part time as an RN, I work the max at it I can stand too. I can't figure out how to increase my revenue stream by $100 a month that doesn't involve me having to work more and I just don't have it in me..I hate what I do, everyday is another day of drudge work I hate. $10,000 a month sounds great I just can't work anymore in order to do that. I'm very grumpy and bitchy with my family 24/7 now I can't imagine what I'd be like if I worked more doing things I loathe. I understand becoming financially free requires sacrifice, I'm just tapped out in that department..I work two jobs I loathe, I keep our expenses as low as is possible here sans the rent payment which is cheap for here..I'm just truly burning out with no end in sight to the degree of sacrifice required, so Chicago sounded like a great escape to me.

Sue

 

[Russ H]

Sue-

If you move to the other side of PCH, you won't be on the ocean anymore-- but you'll be very, very close.

Aren't there any homes for rent that are

-smaller
-cheaper
-still provide the same school system access?

I'm guessing you could free up at least 2-3K a month this way.

Kid gets the great school, you have to walk to the beach (not a bad thing, really-- forces you to get out more often), and you have substantial $$$ freed up to invest ($24-36K/yr).

Here's an example of the kind of deals I'm seeing up here right now:

Sold for $360K in 2005.

Now listed for $84,900 (and still not in escrow!)

Undisclosed, Fairfield, CA 94533 | $84,900 | Fairfield Real Estate | 20807145

Home Value Graphs & Charts for 2207 Fairfield Ave, Fairfield, CA 94533 - Zillow Real Estate

3/1 Homes in Fairfield rent for $1000-1200/mo.

A 2 BR apt down the street rents for $800/mo:

2323 Fairfield Ave, Fairfield, CA rental property - Yahoo! Real Estate

IT's not hard to find a good deal right now.

20% down on $80K is 16K, leaving a $64K balance.

A $64K loan, fixed at 7% for 30 years, has payments of $426/mo.

(I did the above the other night in about 30 minutes of surfing).

-Russ H.