Early Beginnings
As a newly married man, I thought I had my life all figured out. I had a good job with a large company, we lived in a tropical area, and we had extra money at the end of each month to put toward our debts. I figured that I would continue to move up within the company, make enough so that my wife wouldn’t have to work, and then we would start a family together.
Corporate Shortcomings
Well, the “great company” turned out to have very few opportunities. The jobs that I was interested in were not available because I didn’t have the “right experience”, and my current boss said that there wasn’t any way for me to gain the experience I wanted within our department. Well, that pretty much meant that if I didn’t do something different with my life, I would be working that same job forever! This was simply not an option.
Missing Family
At the same time, my wife and I really started to miss our hometown of Michigan. We knew we wanted to get back there, but there had to be some preparation in order to make the transition smoothly. I began applying for jobs in the Michigan area, but even if I got a job, I knew money would be tight. So, in addition to the applications, my wife began a photography business, and I started dabbling in money-making opportunities on the web.
Life And My Finances
Since my job did not utilize my passion for finance (this was my major in college), I decided that it was time to begin a website! This is when Life And My Finances was born. Through this website, I could write about my personal financial experiences and help others with the message. Plus, it would allow me to write about my passion, and possibly make some money doing it!
My website has been live since August 28, 2010, and it still feels new and exciting! I have many visitors that comment on my site every day, and I just love responding to their questions and concerns. Since I’ve discovered the Yakezie network, the popularity of my site has soared as well. And, through my site postings, I have been able to start staff posting for another site! I figured the extra cash would certainly help us within our transition period.
Realized Dreams is Where Preparedness and Opportunity Meet
In early February, I got a very exciting phone call from a company in Michigan. They offered me a fairly competitive salary and wanted me to start working as soon as possible. Since my wife and I were bringing in some extra money through side ventures, we decided to go for it! We are now in Michigan, we’ve paid off all our debts, and we’re beginning to live our new dreams!
Get out of Debt, Save Money, and Be Rich!
You have an excellent blog Derek! Congratulations on the new job and welcome to the network!
Thanks MoneyCone! I really take pride in my blog, and I just love to teach others about finances!
Great story Derek! Thanks for sharing it with us. I’m always excited when I read about someone who decided to do something they love, and starting a finance blog seems like it’s a perfect fit for you! Looking forward to exploring your site more!
Tim
I really do love writing about finances multiple times a week! Plus, it encourages me to continue learning as well!
way to pursue your dreams. i still remember your initial public display of affection for MI in your “I Dream of Michigan” write up – and i connected immediately. i am with you on that! i love the state and wish it very well – it needs talent like you to move back and make a difference. i also see that you are a GVS Laker!!!!!
all the best to you and please keep us updated of your progress / next moves. hope the cold doesn’t bother you much after getting a taste of the warmer side ;)
Thanks Sunil! I’m glad that I connected with you through Yakezie! Hopefully you will make it back to Michigan someday as well! :)
I usually make it back every couple months (6 to 7 times a year). I like to keep an eye out on my rental properties and the small business I bought few years back. But more than anything, my family keeps pulling me back to the great lakes state.
Family is the reason why I am back! I’m glad that you at least get to visit them quite often. When I was in Florida, I was only able to see my family once in 2010. It just wasn’t enough…
Congrats Derek! How are you re-adjusting to winter?
Ha! Great question! One of the first days I was back, it was 2 degrees…2! It has been tough, but hopefully warmer weather is on the way soon! :)
Great post derek, it’s nice to have you in the group. Sounds like handling your finances allowed you to take an opportunity that you wouldnt have been able to.
It most certainly did! It also allowed my wife to work part time with a great virtual position that she found! It has been awesome!
I love these posts and getting to know you! Congrats on being debt free and realizing a great opportunity in the place you wanted to live!
Congratulation again on your debt free status and finally moving back to Michigan. Your blog is doing really great too!
Great post. I have been reading your blog since joining the Yakezie challenge, and I love it. I hope to return to Michigan within the next 3 to 5 years to be closer to family. What area did you settle in?
We are in the West Michigan area. I just love living near the lake in the summer time. I can’t wait for it to warm up!
That is where we are trying to move back to. Small world. . .
Crazy! It is quite a great place! Hope to see you soon.
Interesting story. Glad to get to know you. Look forward to hearing more!
So are you in Michigan now?
I sure am! We made the trip up from Florida about a month ago now. It has been crazy, but we’ll settle soon.
Congrats Derek! New job, great blog, move back home, living the dream. Life looking pretty good over there. :) Continued success in all you do!
Derek you’re always so positive. I love seeing young people grab life by the tentacles kids, I said tentacles. I wish you the the wife much continued success. I’m happy they you’re moving back to Michigan when lots of people are moving out.
Thanks for noticing my positive writing! I actually grew up fairly negative (if you can believe that), but soon realized that negativety would never benefit anyone, including myself. If you believe in your success and think positively about the future, good things will most likely happen!
Congrats on moving back closer to home. I live on the opposite side of the big lake, in the Chicago area. I’ve been over to the other side many times, very relaxing and peaceful there in the summer. As for the blog, glad you’re on board here!
The West Michigan area is wonderful! The winters can be a bit cold, but the spring, summer, and fall are phenominal!
I’m glad that you are able to write about your passion, and that things worked out so you could move to Michigan! Comparing those things with being debt free, which one is the highlight?
Since both of them really occurred at the same time, it’s hard to say. I think moving back was the greatest feeling, because love is always more powerful than money. Coming back here to Michigan increased the love I feel by 10 times compared to my life in Florida.
Hi Derek!
It’s been great to read all your comments around the Yakezie. Your participation is great and we’re happy to have you as a Member. Very smart to join since your launch.
Congrats on your job in Michigan and pursuing what you want to do!
Best, Sam
I never realized how great the Yakezie experience would be! It truly is a great network to be connected with, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of the other members. Thank you for the opportunity!
Welcome!
How long were you in Florida? I lived down there for two years, and then was laid off. What a gorgeous area! I was in Palm Beach Gardens.
We were in Florida for about 3 years. Definitely a beautiful place (I was in Palm Beach County as well), but we definitely missed our wonderful families.
[…] Derek @ Life and My Finances also posted a giveaway for a $50 Amazon card, closes march 15th and recently wrote a Yakezie member post here. […]
[…] Yakezie Member Post: Life And My Finances – by Yakezie (written by me) […]
That’s a wonderful story. Congratulations on becoming debt-free and moving back to Michigan. Did you do the artwork? It’s great!
Haha! My wife is the designer of the artwork. She is incredibly talented in many areas. Thanks for the congrats! :)
Congratulations on your dreams coming true! You are a real asset to the blogging community.
Thank you Mark! I really appreciate your kind words, especially since I am a frequent reader and adorer of your blog! I’ll be around for a while, you can count on it.
So encouraging to see dreams come true like this! I’m looking at getting married soon, it’s always cool to hear stories like this haha. Enjoy the snow in Michigan!
Ahh, the snow actually just melted away! The birds are chirping and I’m itching to get on the golf course! Our married life has been great by the way. I have to say that I’ve learned a lot, and I wouldn’t trade my beautiful wife for anything! :)
Great story Derek. Thanks for opening up to us. I am so happy for you that you dreams did come true.
Thanks Miss T! Your friendship has been much appreciated throughout my short web-career (short so far). I’m excited to have some dreams come true, and there are plenty of dreams for the future (which I will of course write about soon).
Congratulations! You are proof that happiness is within not where you are!
Congrats ( I know I said it over on your site as well, but it is an important achievement ) on paying down the debt, and it is definitely very cool that you have found a way to go back to the place that you both love!
Yep yep yep! The next challenge is finding the funds to afford a house and college (my wife will be going back to school this summer).
I don’t know how I missed this when it was first posted… It was great to hear your story! Now I know the significance behind your site banner :) And congrats on getting debt free! I’m right behind ya
Thanks LaTisha! That banner did describe out lives wonderfully, but it has actually just changed. Since we’re now in Michigan, it just didn’t seem that relavent anymore. Now, there should probably be a house on it since we are house hunting! :)
This a great and inspiring story to all of us Yakezie members. Congratulations on paying off all your debt and living your dream. :)
Thanks! It was a tough road, but we did it! And now we’re on to bigger and better things! :)
[…] Derek @ Life and My Finances [removed outdated url February 25, 2014] also posted a giveaway for a $50 Amazon card, closes march 15th and recently wrote a Yakezie member post here. […]