Early strategic choices can lead to big payoffs
“Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” —Dale Carnegie
“If you listen to critics too long, you will become deaf to success.” —Matshona Dhliwayo
I had been out of college for several years and had worked steadily. I banked a decent amount of savings. I was single, debt-free, and secure in the company where I worked. I knew how long I wanted my morning work commute to be and studied investments for years. It was time to buy a house. Everyone tried to talk me out of it. They said I was too young or I should wait until I was married. I thought paying rent for an apartment was a waste of money. And I heard both my grandpas say, “There’s no better investment than real estate.”
I listened to those wise old men whom I respected and ignored those who didn’t believe I could handle it.
A comfortable monthly house payment should equal about 28% of my income, and after studying tax rates in my target cities, as well as utility rates, I landed at an affordable number.
I looked for what I could afford—not what I dreamed of.
