If You Think It Can’t Happen To You…
August 3, 2009 by Kristin LaVanway · Leave a Comment
I have really enjoyed blogging about real estate, but over the last few months, my personal economic crisis has weighed heavy on my mind. Clearly, it is a problem facing more and more households every day. So, it seems like a natural topic to add to my blog.
The toughest part about blogging about such a personal topic is there is a certain amount of shame – a feeling of failure – that comes with money problems. Our society is so materialistic, that when your kid shows up at school with ratty shoes and last year’s backpack, you feel ashamed. And there are those out there who might judge the situation and feel that they are above that sort of hardship. But I am here to tell you, if this could happen to me, it can happen to anyone.
I am not claiming to be a financial genius, but I have managed my money pretty well over the years. I grew up poor, and decided as an adult, I would prefer to live a more prosperous lifestyle. I worked my way through college – graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Great job – worked in the field for 14 years. Saved up, bought a house, started a retirement fund, got married, had some kids…I was living the American Dream.
With four kids and two well-paying jobs, it seemed like a good idea to cut back to one income so the boys would have a parent at home. I left engineering and became a full time mom. Well sort of…I had a side business as a computer programmer, I taught classes at a community college and I taught as a substitute at my kids’ school. Eventually with my youngest in school, I decided to try something new and got my real estate license.
Then I got divorced.
Since an engineering degree and 14 years of experience just doesn’t carry the same weight if it sits on a shelf for 10 years, the part time real estate gig is now the means to support myself and four kids. I do OK in real estate – I have always earned above the median income for realtors, just not by much. A few distractions here and there makes it a bit more challenging to be a top producer. You know, little things four shell shocked kids, some large medical bills (do you know how much is costs to self-insure a family of 5?), a new transmission for the car, an economic downturn, and one day I woke up to find my savings gone and my income not quite enough to pay all the bills. Me and thousands of other households out there.
Here’s the thing…it’s really not what happens that makes us succeed or fail. It’s what we choose to do about it. And make no mistake, I am a survivior. I will not go down without a fight. This is not easy task, but I am better off than a lot of others out there. This is a battle that must be waged every day, which is really, really hard especially as a single parent. But it’s a battle I intend to win.
If you woke up today, and thought to yourself, I just can’t do this anymore, listen up. YES YOU CAN! We both can. We are going to take it a day at a time, solve one problem at a time and eventually, things are going to get better.
I hope these blog postings bring you some encouragement. I would really love to hear your comments. Remember, this is our chance to beat the odds, to be a super hero, to shine brighter than ever. I am going to make it and so will you. Just believe it every single day. Because that’s what you have to do.
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I am a Realtor in Gilbert, AZ, working with clients throughout the Phoenix Metro area. I am lucky to love what I do and appreciate the difference I can make in people's lives.
In a previous life, I was a rocket scientist - really! - but decided to step away from corporate America to be a Mom to my four boys. Found it hard to do bake sales, so I ran a small independent programming business instead.
Flash forward...I am now a single mom and I face many, many challenges everyday. I am living through the hardships that many are facing in this economy. These experiences have motivated me to help other people in my shoes.
I have teamed up with Dean Ouellette to form the East Valley Team - the best darn team in the Valley. Check out our site at http://www.EastValleyTeam.com. I spend way too much time on YouTube - check ou tmy channel at http://www.youtube.com/klavanway
