Less than six months ago I found myself depressed and frustrated with my financial situation, work and personal life. I woke one morning so depressed and frustrated that I called off of work in hopes that the time off would help in some way, but I didn’t know how it might help.
After I called off of work and then headed to the book store to “browse” and somehow forget about my life for the day. That is when I saw your book Start Late, Finish Rich “yeah right” was my thought at that time. I’m 45, a single Mom with NO savings, in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, no home of my own and a car on its last leg. However my will to be better and have more had more power than my sarcasm and I purchased the book.
I returned home and began to read. I read the entire book that day! I found my Latte Factor, and started putting that money aside. The biggest thing I did was to return to work the following day and ask for a raise! This took courage on my part as I have never done anything like this in the past. I amazed myself. When I asked for the raise my boss was kind but said that he was unable to give me a raise as I already “made too much”! I told him I did not know whose check book he was looking at for those numbers, but I understood his situation. I then surprised myself again; I gave my notice. I told my boss that I understood where he was with giving a merit raise and that I was sure that he would understand that I could no longer afford to work for them. I gave my two weeks notice with no job on the line to go to. I stunned myself. I was gripped in fear, what would I do now?
To my amazement the following Friday someone from HR Corporate Office called me and made me an offer. The offer was to do what I absolutely love doing, (I teach photography and train photo labs) this job tripled my salary! I also received better benefits, a company car paid in full and a gas card that even covers my personal miles! I received stock and a bonus package as well. This was an amazing offer that I accepted. Not three months after the offer and raise, I received a bonus and ANOTHER RAISE! All this because I had the courage to step out of the “normal”, I had nothing to loose as I saw it when I gave my notice. Even though the fear was great, I knew I could do better, even if I didn’t know where or what better was.
I have never owned a home. Now I am working on getting qualified for this. I am scared again. But I have to try. I now have a savings, stock and a 401K. Sometimes I feel alone in this new financial adjustment as I never learned any of these things before from school or my family or friends. Not how to save, how to buy a home, all of the things that may seem normal to others. Now I am going to buy the workbook and also other books by you. Thank you for putting things into easy language and showing those of us that seem lost the way. Thanks for the helping hand.
With much Gratitude,
