| Honestly Woman |
$50,000 in CREDIT CARD & LOAN DEBT. It’s hard to imagine now, yet 10 years ago this was my financial reality. I know how to spend money. My weakness for shoes and all things shinny more than reinforced that. Paying my debt would prove to be more of a challenge. To be truthful I didn’t realise the magnitude of my personal debt until I decided to take action. This came in the form of a pen, a calculator, a piece of paper and a mountain of unpaid and ashamedly outstanding bills. Bills that remained unopened because I feared their content. My home phone had been cut off and my credit cards no longer bought fuel to ferry me from one boutique to the next. Hearing my mobile phone ring was worse than answering it for fear of talking to a debt collector, so I left it switched off permanently. I opened envelope after envelope until I was surrounded by piles of company trademarked bills bearing ominous red backgrounds highlighting the sense of urgency at hand. I cried and felt ill as I tallied and totalled what I owed numerous institutions. “How could I have spent so much money and have nothing to show for it?” I asked myself. I added and checked he numbers countless times in an effort to lesson the reality at hand. The fact of the matter is that the numbers didn’t change that day, but my whole life did.
My name is Cheyanne Brae and today I am a full time Property Investor, Renovator, Author, Achievement Coach and Speaker. And not long after this Edition is printed I will be a Registered Builder. So how did my life change? Was it a book I read, someone I met that inspired me, did I win the lottery? Did my parents bail me out? None of the above applied. In this case I was on my own, embarrassed, totally ashamed of myself and didn’t tell another soul. With not an ounce of pride left, I approached each bank I owed money, showed them the total amount and asked for their help. To my surprise each institution (bar one) was extremely helpful. Setting up a budget and sticking to it was a frightening experience. The reality hit home hard. Paying the money back would take some time, and the thought was daunting. Acknowledging and taking responsibility for my past actions was the first step forward. Maintaining my integrity and meeting the weekly payment arrangements with all the banks gave me a small sense of positive change, I was getting somewhere. Eight months in and not a payment missed I felt like I was making real progress. My self esteem had lifted and life didn’t seem so bad after all. I opened every bill, paid them and was on top of my finances. As I couldn’t afford to buy books I spent much of my spare time at the library or searching the internet, educating myself about everything from finance management to interest rates, budgeting, compounding interest and generally anything to do with money. It took me 21 months to retire my debt in its entirety; I cut up card after card after card, paid out two personal loans and was on top of the world.
When I look back I realise I had two choices, to give up or triumph. My attitude, behaviour and viewpoint on debt, money, financial planning and life in general altered significantly. After many unsuccessful attempts I had finally secured a full time position with the Company of my dreams as a Flight Attendant, a job I’d stay in until retirement. Travelling around the world, visiting amazing places, meeting many incredible people, and constantly socialising became my lifestyle. I chose the word lifestyle instead of job because being a Flight Attendant really doesn’t feel like a job (most days!)
With income now exceeding my imagination and a strong savings habit in place, I had unlimited potential to create wealth; however the means by which I was to do this I didn’t know. Once again I returned to the library and borrowed every book on Wealth, Shares, Property and Business I could find. I needed to learn about the paths I could take. The ideas bounced around in my head daily, and at times drove me crazy. I wanted to take action yet everything looked risky, what if I stuffed up and lost my savings, made a huge mistake and was in massive debt again…..I couldn’t let that happen. Shares were far too confusing for me at the time and Business ideas were abundant although I was discouraged by the capital required. Property was my choice, the great Australian dream. As a single woman, could I do it on my own? What was better, Negative gearing or Positive gearing? Should I buy a house and live in it or rent it out? What areas have strong capital growth? How much will the bank lend me? What other costs am I going to have to pay? Do I use a Conveyancer, Solicitor or Lawyer? New searches on the internet began, researching all the questions I had asked myself. Realestate.com became my best friend and I had found a passion that today exists stronger than ever.
Today I can happily say I have spent more than $50,000 on my Real Estate Education and every cent was worth parting with. Each dollar I have invested in Seminars, Magazines, Workshops, Books, DVD’s, and Audio’s has strengthened my financial future 10 fold. Today I have a sizeable Property portfolio, dabble in Shares and run my own Business and Company. |
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2010 Property Network Meetings |
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| Where : Geelong - Victoria |
| Time : 6.00pm - 9.30pm |
When : Tue, June 22nd
Tue, July 20th
Tue, Aug 24th
Tue, Sept 21st
Tue, Oct 26th
Tue, Nov 23rd
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Booking is essential
0411 33 44 55 |
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Cost : $30 or Membership available
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RENOVATING FOR PROFIT
with Cherie Barber & Stephen Tolle |
SYD - 22/23 May - SOLD OUT
MELB - 12/13 June - SOLD OUT
MELB - 3/4 July
PERTH - 17/18 July
BNE - 7/8 August
ADL - 27/28 August
SYD - 27/28 November
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| All details here |
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Booking is essential!
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“Your passion for life and property have motivated me to TAKE ACTION”.
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“WOW, your energy was infectious”
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| More Past Events |
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