How LIFE did CHANGE after DEBT

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with 3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. #9001154

I throw alot of temper tantrums wondering why life never changed once we paid off our debt. We still lived the same lifestyle so I claimed.

But on days when my head is screwed on right, I feel very blessed that I married a contented man. Someone who continues to teach me and grow me daily.

We've worked very hard in the business. At first, in 2007, it was just "me". All of the real estate income was supplemental while his Corporate America job pays for our daily needs. 

I've shared my Dave Ramsey story here many times. If you were interested, watch the video here.

Long story short, paying off $450,000 in debt wasn't easy. But every dollar just chunked away until $450,000 became zero.

It didn't come easy and saying "No's" to alot of things have been the new "normal", including making alot of crazy sacrifices. Sacrifices that people in our income normally don't do. But we keep on, keeping on.

Today....... Today I had my head screwed on right. I didn't throw a temper tantrum. As I was heading to my 9am breakfast appointment, an incredibly feeling over-joyed me. My husband stayed home with the kids. No issues with childcare this week even though school was out. My husband was able to get some work done at home. He was able to finish getting Christmas stuff ready for the party. Getting the house in shape to anticipate the hundreds of guests that will come through our home on our Annual party. And we even negotiated a contract, getting ready to execute it.

If we didn't make the sacrifice - to pay off our mountains of debt, to let him work real estate full-time with me and to share the load of child nurturing with me, I would possibly be insane by now. I'm able to have my BFF share so much of what I go through daily with work and family.

I must now have a new found reminder of "How LIFE did CHANGE after DEBT".

 

 For my husband to be able to work alongside me, for us to take care of our children together and bear the stress of business and family together beat any house I wished I had.

 

Comments (44)

Mike Belobradic
Johnston & Daniel Oakville - Oakville, ON
Your Trusted Advisor in Oakville Real Estate

Loreena Yeo - I didn't mean to imply that it did, I meant to say that your example is proof positive that we can command of our financial destiny :)

Nov 25, 2014 09:58 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Completely got that the first time! No worries... Didn't want you to think I took it the wrong way. Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 25, 2014 10:00 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Thom Abbott , if I could do it, you can too. I'm one of your biggest cheerleader, remember? Love you bunches!

Nov 25, 2014 10:01 PM
Christine Bohn
RE/MAX Professionals - Gainesville, FL
The Bohn Team, Gainesville FL

Have a great Thanksgiving.  I'm working on my written goals for 2015 and debt reduction is on my list.  

Nov 25, 2014 10:31 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

What one person can do....another can do...You have joined the "do" club

Nov 25, 2014 10:38 PM
Jeanne Dufort
Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA
Madison and Lake Oconee GA

Thanks for sharing. I spent many years (great years) on the corporate track, with a good income and benefits, including a 401K match.  But I was on the road a lot - spending 13-15 weeks a year overseas and additional time at trade shows.  I decided to make a change in 2004, that led me to my current career in real estate - I bought back my time, and am living simply.

Nov 25, 2014 10:38 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Loreena - You're inspirational as you do often are, and look at the results!

Nov 26, 2014 12:36 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Loreena Yeo .. Congratulations to you and your husband (and entire family) for making life-altering decisions and sticking to them!  You should have such pride in your accomplishments!  And think what you are teaching your children.  THAT alone should make you feel wonderful ...

Hope you enjoy your Holiday party and it is a great success!

Gene

Nov 26, 2014 01:24 AM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

Very inspiring.  Tackling a mountain of debt and moving on to bigger and better things is a great story.  

Nov 26, 2014 01:33 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, MD
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Loreena, it's great to have that benefit in life. I stopped using credit in 2008, and I've never missed it. It's very freeing.

Nov 26, 2014 08:10 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Loreena, your sacrifices paid off long term and you are enjoying peace of mind and a freedom that many people don't know.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 26, 2014 09:24 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, Keller Williams Fox Cities - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I have a lot of admiration for you and your husband, living a disciplined life putting off temporary luxuries for the long term good of your family.

Nov 26, 2014 10:41 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

What a great story and one that will surely inspire others to follow your lead of living debt-free!  I do that too and found that it frees up so much time that you don't have to spend worrying about how to pay the bills :-)

Nov 26, 2014 12:05 PM
Ranee Bray
TCP Real Estate - Cedar Park, TX
North of Austin Homes

Love your priorities.  Dave Ramsey is the man!  

Nov 26, 2014 12:54 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate

I'm just stopping by to wish you a Very Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Everything!

Nov 27, 2014 04:44 AM
Claude Labbe
Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

Blessed. That's how life changed.  It wasn't easy, but the rewards are wonderful.

Nov 27, 2014 08:40 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

My goal is to be able to work so that I have more to give, as opposed to working so I can have more.  This is how my life is changing and I am so very thankful.

Nov 30, 2014 12:17 PM
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment--and for having the vision to make it happen.

Dec 01, 2014 05:14 AM
Digital Digital
Alachua, FL
full service

Congrats Loreena!

Your a hard and smart worker. You deserve every bit of joy you experience.

Keep up the fantastic work.

Dec 01, 2014 06:22 AM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

I love it Loreena!

 

Your hard work paid off handsomely!

 

Kudos to you too!

Feb 23, 2015 05:48 AM

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