Earl Journal Entry #1

This is a little hard to share but here goes:
Things have hit rock bottom. I am getting divorced. I am filing bankruptcy and I am going to lose my home. So, with that being said my time to focus on REI has been next to nill. I will keep everyone posted as I make this very hard journey. I know things will turn out OK but it is not an easy road to travel. Sorry this post wasn't as upbeat as I would like it to be but it is what it is. I hope all is well with the reast of my DG family.

OK...here's the deal. I have 1 and 1/2 months to move. I'm half way thru a divorce and I have to file bankruptcy to get out of my debt. I know that getting a second job is pointless because I will have to give more for child support and also lose time with my kids. Solution: My computer is somewhere getting repaired. My friend loaned me her laptop so I can get back to working on REI. I am on vacation this week. Translation...get a deal and quick!! I have owned Dean's books for 1 year now and it is time to get to crackin'. I will post every day my progress. Failure now is not an option. I have the tools and the desire. Now I need to take act.

Looked at a house yesterday. It's a condo (attached) 1200 sq. ft. 3/1.5 townhouse style. It has a basement. HOA $195/month. It needs a paint job (with small holes in the wall). Needs new carpet. Needs new light fixures. Needs refrig and dishwasher. There is mold in the upstairs bath. Asking $34,900. Dean's site estimates value to be $41,700-$56,400.
I just need to find a money source.

congrats on starting the journal and the biz, good luck early!

RJB
www.****
Free Real Estate Lead Generator

Thanks RJB. It has been a minute since I have been on this site. Life has a funny way to motivate when you are down. Now I'm picking myself up dusting myself off and getting to work.

...Glad to see you are back on the DG website. I am sorry to hear about the things that you are currently going through. Be strong and do the best you cvan. Always remember that tomorrow is a new day. I really believe the saying that when a window closes a door of opportunity will open if you are lookign for it. Good luck on the condo deal you are considering. Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Thanks Indi Joe. It has been a minute!! But I am back. I think I saw you wrote a book? Am I correct?

Went and looked at another home. They were asking $87,120. I think it would take $55-65k to rehab. FMV 151,600.

I was watching tv and had an idea that maybe to keep cost down for som forks maybe Dean could offer some if not all of his programs electronically (like MP3 format). Just an idea to spread the DG family more!!

12/17/10
OK, here goes.
My divorce is almost final. I have a lot of paper work to complete to finalize. First business of order for that is to complete my bankruptcy. Again tons of paper work. In addition I have to move in about 13 days. Fun thing aboout being in bankruptcy is that most people don't want to rent to ya. What's a guy suppose to do? I have never been in this situation before. IF it doesn't kill me I should be able to handle anything that comes my way. On top of all this craziness my car has gone against me. I think it might be the heater core, which happens to be inside the dashboard. and it is F-F-Freezing here in MI. I don't know what else can go south...I will not poke the karma fairy with ideas.
Just wanted to share with my DG family what is going on with me. If you read this Thank you for taking the time!

...Glad to see you are back on-line. Yes, Dean encouraged me to wirte a book about clearing the clutter and making cash by finding things locally through Craigslist and selling globally on ebay. I have doen this for years and had done well with it. When I dicussed it with Dean he encourgaed me to write a book to share ho to do it with others. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! Keep up the good work! Believe and Achieve! - Joe and Stacey

Well, things were crazy. I finally found an apartment after learning what to say and more importantly what NOT to say. I was able to put some sec. deposit down and the manager is willing to work with me! She didn't even pull my credit. I one thing I learned was that I had several offers to move into co-workers homes. This tells me a lot about the people I have as friends and about myself. I am now more hungry for get into the REI world than ever before. I am ready. I am going to succeed. I am the REI in my circle. I feel confident that all things will come out right. Even now when I am at my lowest point I sport a smile on my face. My co-workers are stunned at my attitude I display at work. I maybe trudging thru crap I still display a positive cheerful demenour. If I survive this mess, I can do anything I want and succeed. I also get to pass on this gift to my children.
I would like to end this update with the following message:
Thank you to Dean for creating a great forum.
Thank you to Dean's staff for keeping me on track and my eye on the prize.
Thank you to my DG family for their constant support and positive messages and support.
Thank you to my children for being such wondeful kids and being my inspiration.
Thank you to my family and friends for their support. Without your love and support I couldn't make it thru this tough time.
Thank you God for giving me direction, strenght and unconditional love and life.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 2011 is going to be a great year!!

Merry Christmas! It's obvious to see you are gaining strength from God and your children to help with all you have been going through. You have a great attitude and I wish you a happy, healthy, prosperous new year. I wish you great success in REI and all that you do.

It's wonderful that you maintain a cheerful attitude at work. There is a lot to be said for that. Putting a smile on even when we don't necessarily 'feel' that smile at the moment really DOES make us feel a bit better.

Lea

OK DG family. This is going to be my last post for 2010.
I have an apartment HOORAY...not homeless after all. It pretty much broke me for now but I will recover. I have to get internet service in my nnew place. It's really weird how things fall into place. 2011 is the year that I dedicate myself to REI, Dean Graziosi, My DG family and my children! I know that this will be my year to shine!!
Final thought, man I am getting to old to be moving. I need to get in better shape LOL.
Best wishes to all of my DG family, Dean and the Graziosi family and all the staffers of Dean Graziosi! Remember to be safe, have fun and enjoy 2011!

Earl

Best of luck to you and your family. Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Happy New Year!! 2011 is the year it all comes together for me!!
Spent the night in my new place...Woke up this morning and forgot what it was like to wake up to a bunch of boxes LOL. I'm going to keep on keepin' on!! Can't change the past. Live in the present and plan for the tomorrow. I'm getting ready to watch MI play their first bowl game in a couple years now!! I plan on watching the Rose Bowl too. Love college football!!

Hello my DG family. I'm back. I moved. I have cable and ISP. I still have my friends computer. Don't know when I'll get my other laptop back. LIFE LOL. Almost divorced and trying to get my finances back in order. Since I split from my soon to be ex things have gotten better all except for how much time I get to see my kids. I kknow to some that last statement might sound bad, trust me it's not. We were two people that didn't mix well. I have dusted myself off and I am ready to get back to living. I didn't laugh too much the six years I was married. I saw a movie today and I laughed sooooo hard tears were running down my face. I know I am on the right path now and I down have a negative draw living with me. She can be who she needs to be and I also. I have to say thank you to my DG family for all you supportand words of encouragement. It means a lot to someone that hits rock bottom. This too shall pass. I'm going to work on my homework from Dean "The 10 Coolest Things About Me!".

Man oh man is this month flown by. I have finished all that I needed to finish for one case and now I am working on another. Soon I will have time to focus on REI. I am working on a contact at my work that is involved with foster care program. He also works with the homeless. Feb is a short month but I feel it will be productive!!
Just have to remember to keep on keeping on!!

Earl, I have just read through your journal and man your perseverance is amazing. You are a true testament to what a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) can do for someone. I know you will be ultra successful in real estate. And never underestimate the inspiration and blessing that your sharing your life like this is for others.

Horace T

Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you a future with hope".

I finally made my business cards. I also posted it fb to get feed back. Got 5 people to reply on it. All were positive!! I think I surprised one person on what I enjoy. YEP, I have even pitched Dean on fb. You never know who might be thinking about REI! Now on to the flyers!! This is my action week.

Well I finally finished my business cards. Made 100 Man do they go quickly. Created one flyer and working on another. I have a sib and she is going to help me with my post cards. Going to target folks that have their 1st, 2nd and 3rd notices for foreclosures.
I spoke to a friend at work that just purcased a house. Here is the information:
Mid Value: $86,030
Value Range: $73,125 to $98,934

Our Estimate: $84,223

Last Sold For: $84,000 ($46/SqFt)
Last Sold On: 05/11/1998

SqFt: 1834
Lot Size: 5227
Property Type: Single Family
Year Built: 1865
Tax Assessment: $99,400
Year Assessed: 2010
Beds: 4
Baths: 1.1
Rooms:
Garage:
Legal:
APN:
Here was his reply;"bought for 64900 with 6% back and all appliances in home.." Dean's total view is awesome for MI props!

Good morning DG family.
I got to work on some more of the biz today. Signed up to get preforeclosure information today. I tweeked the yellow letter for it. I also am going to do up my post cards today!! Progress is such a motivator!! Let's see what happens in the next 30 days!! will keep the family posted on the success!!

Good morning.
I have been working on the pre-foreclosure stuff. I got 27 people to send out letters to. Also picked up a new cash buyer. Things are looking up!!
Yesterday was a great test to learn all the little short cuts to move faster in getting the job done.

I have been watching the Blueprint videos...Great stuff!! I also have a buyer and a couple sellers that I'm trying to work on now...I read something this morning from insider's edge "You are closer than you think" Really hit home!!!

Man it has been a minute since I have been on this page. I still visit this site just not my own blog hahaha. So many great things have happened in this past year on a personal level. As always, my DG family has been there for me!! I have learned so many new and old things. I have met some many new people. I got to me John and Julie Wakefield. I'm going to try and meet up with Greg Harmon. I helped build a web page and have connected with DG greats like Carol Stinson and Matt Larson to name a few! What a year. Thank you for a great year my DG family!!
What will the next year bring??

I just emailed my first letter of intent. Seller was asking for $12k talked themselves down to $6k and emailed me stating they couldn't take less than $5k. Prop is a total rehab. Now to shop for that cash buyer. Much thanks to Mr.DG for all the incouragement each and every day. 1 step closer buddy. Maybe I could bring a success story to the show you are creating!!??!!??