Self Reflection Sunday

"The days are long but the years are short"
Sept 25, 2016
Self Reflection Sunday

Inertia is a powerful thing, this past Sunday I had promised myself to workout 3 days. Half way through the week I had not taken a step outside. On Wednesday, as tired as I was I forced myself to go out. Many people say the first day is the hardest, but really the second day is harder. On the second day you were already tired out from the first day and you have carry all your aches and pains on this new run. And the third day is harder still, having to carry days 1 and 2. And the 4th and 5th until one day it becomes easier. I doubt that I would ever notice it ever getting easier but perhaps much further down the road I will be able to appreciate how far I have come.

Fiscal responsibility, the requirement to keep you and your household afloat, is tiring. I see friends with many more toys and much nicer things and get envious. I keep looking at my budget and my budget never allows for it, invest first then save then spend. Those shiny toys are never an investment and definitely not a priority, I know they only cost money, and never bring in money. To spend and enjoy now or invest and enjoy later is a difficult. In the long run, investing for later makes more sense. Everything I have learned has taught me that. But the urge to spend what I have for some short lived fun is tempting. Each day having to do it is tougher than the last but I know if I can stay on the path that I am on, then I will be in a much more stable place in a decade. But it will take a decade... a decade of holding tight... no major expenses... no new toys... just slow and methodical. It will not be an easy decade but my choices are to invest and grow my income or spend now be stuck in debt forever. And when I have children, I can either pass on income or pass on debt.


For my real estate education, I have learned that math is a big component of it. Making sure that your purchase is a good purchase the second you buy it is a novel concept. Other people may hope for appreciation to build wealth, but after reading up, it seems good investors have no appreciation for appreciation. Real estate appreciation is icing on the cake, it should not be a factor deciding on whether or not to buy the property.

This past week I was able to run on 3 days and averaged 3 miles a day. This coming week I will continue the inertia and exercise for another 3 days.  I continue to sock away money towards stocks and savings, unfortunately those investments are currently down. I knew the risk I was taking and I have to be prepared to ride out the lows and hope for the highs. In the coming week, I will also aim to analyze another 10 properties. Most people will give up after 1-2 months, but I will promise myself to get through at least 100 properties.