Mary
and I are very ordinary people like you. We used to follow the
traditional way of
getting 
good
grades, working hard for big corporations and climbing the
corporate ladder. We went to study in the USA in 1995 and each obtained
two Master degrees (MBA, MA, MS,MS) from renowned US graduate schools.
After graduation, we worked for well-known companies in Boston.
Climbing the corporate ladder from the very bottom, we started with low
salaries and worked extremely hard for our employers. We often found
little money left by the year end no matter how frugal we had been. The
annual salary increase just did not keep up with the increase of living
expenses. Gradually we lost the dream of being financially free. Maybe
we were just ordinary people and the dream of financial freedom was too
far away from us.
Searching for
financial freedom in U.S.A. (1999- 2003)
Investing in the stock market
We had been actively investing in the stock market for about
5 years. We made some money while the stock market went up.
However, due to the high-tech bubble between 2000 - 2002 and lack of
sophisticated investment skills, we lost half of our saving. The
volatile stock market taught us a hard lesson.
Working part-time jobs and running small business
In order to
get ahead financially, I worked hard by keeping multiple jobs and
business. In 1999, I started Ebay home businessselling camcorders, books, Italian suits, briefcases,
batteries and anything that I could sell at a high profit. I became an
Ebay power-seller shortly after I got started (Ebay Power Seller Recognition Letter).
I also worked at the local Chinese restaurants as a waiter and front
manager during the weekend. I hardly had any Saturday and Sunday off
just to make the extra $100 - $200 for the family. I was often
exhausted when I reached home. Trading time for money is a constant
struggle.
Changing
Mindset: Any Financial Breakthrough Starts From Mindset Change
Robert Kiyosaki's
best-selling series "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" have changed our lives in a
profound
way. We came to realize that we need
to change our mindset
first and acquire financial literacy, We need to be
positive, think big, have a millionaire mind and apply leverage in our
lives. There are many ways to achieve financial freedom. We read over
100 books on Real Estate Investment and Business Management. During the
same period, I obtained Massachusetts Real Estate Sales license in
2002.
Powerful Money Leverage - Successful Real
Estate Investor in Canada Since 2003
We
immigrated to Canada in 2003. As we had missed many opportunities in
the States and we had a strong desire to win financial freedom, we took
actions immediately and purchased our first property 3 months after our
landing even without a job. Since 2003 we have been aggressively
acquiring investment properties in Greater Toronto Area &
Hamilton. The value of our portfolio quickly grows exponentially while
we kept our full-time jobs.
In the eyes of many people,
we are quite successful. However, only we know our sacrifices involved
in achieving what we have done today. There are two big challenges for
salaried people to invest in Real Estate. Firstly, it requires a
considerably larger amount of money to invest and operate. Secondly,
the monthly cash flow is insignificant for the first couple of years.
Real Estate investment is a very powerful vehicle to achieve one's
financial freedom but it is slow if you buy and hold.
Multiple Sources of Income - Financial
Breakthrough in Canada (2008-present)
We believe there must be a better way for ordinary people to achieve financial freedom. In his best-selling book The Conspiracy of the Rich, Robert Kiyosaki lists four basic investment categories and says a sophisticated investor invests in all four categories to achieve true diversification. The four investment categories are: 1) Business -- provides passive income; 2) Income-producing investment real estate -- provides passive income every month; 3) Paper assets -- easy to buy and sell; 4) Commodities (gold, silver, oil, platinum) -- protect against inflation.
We need multiple sources of income. We need more than one investment vehicle to build wealth and protect ourselves against future financial instability. Since 2008, we have expanded our business to Internet marketing, network marketing and others. At the same time, we keep acquiring financial education and personal development skills through books, CDs and seminars.
Life
is tough and full of challenges no matter whether you take action or
not. You pay a price for taking action or not taking action. Inaction
is far more costly than taking action. A
person's income is a reflection of his knowledge and skills (leadership
skills, organization skills, marketing skills, etc). It is our
vision to help tens of thousands of people to achieve their financial
goals through internet marketing, financial education and personal
development training.
May you be successful spiritually, emotionally, financially and
physically and have a positive impact on other people's lives.
To share your journey of financial freedom with us, please email info@goldenvisionforyou.com.