Hi David

I have a girlfriend who is financially astute and who frequently encouraged me to read your books. I should mention that I am 37, have one child and own a small bungalow with my husband in Ottawa, Canada. Because my girlfriend has no children, I was skeptical that your books could have any impact on someone carrying a mortgage, paying for childcare, groceries, heat, hydro, gymnastics etc. and carrying credit card debt over $6000.00 In addition, I work for a major airline in Canada and last year we renegotiated our labour contracts which resulted in significant pay concessions. Well, one day as I was strolling through the airport on my way to a flight and wondering how I was going to stretch my shrinking paycheck, your book “Start Late, Finish Rich” stopped me in my tracks. The title really spoke to me because at this point, I felt like my financial clock was ticking…

Let me share with you how my life has changed since reading your book in May 2005, approximately two months ago.

Reading your book inspired me to go and at least speak to my mortage broker. I didn’t expect anything from this visit. I thought Elaine would tell me that our credit rating was abysmal and our dreams of owning income properties were just that, dreams.

That conversation with Elaine proved to be a pivotal moment in our lives. We renegotiated our current mortgage at a lower interest rate, in the process we payed off our credit card balances and pulled equity out of our home. With this equity, we were able to finance the purchase of the income property we thought we’d never own!!! Incredibly, this entire process took less than two months.

Even though we had the financing in place, we still were not sure we’d find a suitable income property. In July, a traditionally “hot” real estate month, we found a house up the street from us within our budget.

I must say that I am still in shock over the events of this summer. Your book gave me the courage to do what I thought was impossible. I still can’t believe we doubled our asset base in less than two months.

When I recount my story to other flight attendants, they too, are skeptical. I tell them I’ve been there but keep an open mind. After reading your book, there is no going back.

Sincerely,