Some would say I’ve taken the path less traveled; I’ve strayed away from the 9-to-5 corporate cubicle and carved my own career path. The experiences I’ve encountered down this windy, unknown trail have helped define who I am and how I view personal financial choices. A year ago, I decided to begin blogging about my journey to purchase a house and become financially savvy. My reasons for sharing my journey are many, but the incentive to do so was driven through inspiration found among other similar blogs, such as Get Rich Slowly.
Background
Twelve years ago I was unhappily working in a cubicle. I wasn’t sure how I ended up there; it wasn’t at all what I had planned for myself having just finished college with a degree in Anthropology. Yet, there I was griping about office politics to my soon-to-be husband. My husband (a true entrepreneur) had a seemingly wonderful and refreshing idea: to open a hot dog/drink stand on a busy corner not far from our house.
Using credit cards as our initial investment, we purchased an adorable green cart with a red and white umbrella and stocked our pantry with items we would sell for breakfast and lunch. I quit my day job and was soon standing on a corner at 6am selling coffee, donuts and and the occasional hot dog. A few weeks into our street-vending endeavor we realized it wasn’t profitable and we closed up shop.
Back to the daily grind I went; all the while my husband worked on what became a successful small graphic design business. A few 9-to-5 jobs later, and I fell into teaching. Luckily, I loved sharing my knowledge with students and the flexible work schedule and time-off accommodated the graphic design business my husband was building.
As the quasi-CFO / accountant for the business, I had all the tools I needed to help create a solid personal financial plan. Yet, I wasn’t utilizing them to their full potential. Something was missing.
Little House in the Valley: Phase One
Functioning as the accountant for our graphic design business, I knew how much money we had coming in and going out. However, I couldn’t find a way to save any money or pay down our debt. I knew I could do better, but I just didn’t know where to begin. I began scouring the Internet for information and came across a few personal finance blogs that held some of the information I was missing.
I mapped out a budget based on the Quickbooks data I had been compiling over the years and started planning how to pay off our debt. During this time, the real estate market was also tanking. My husband and I decided that it might be a good time to purchase a house, given that prices were plummeting back down to affordable levels in Southern California.
Having the insatiable urge to share any knowledge I gain, I felt compelled to begin blogging about my experiences: how I paid down our credit card debt, increased my credit score by almost 200 points, my continued debt repayment plan, and how I’m saving for a house and retirement. That was the beginning of Little House in the Valley.
The Yakezie
Through some initial networking, I found FinancialSamurai.com. Financial Samurai and I started blogging at about the same time and I quickly became an avid reader of his highly amusing and inspiring posts. By the time he introduced the Yakezie challenge, I jumped on board realizing a terrific opportunity was emerging. Through selfless promotion of each others personal finance blogs, a diverse and inspiring group of bloggers formed the Yakezie. Sam’s vision has materialized into a stand-alone identity due to everyone’s involvement and enthusiasm and Sam’s hard work. I feel incredibly honored to be a part of such an amazing network of people.
Future Goals
The future is a flexible and ever-changing path. My current personal finance goals are on-going: pay down debt, save for a house, plan my retirement. My goals for my blog are to continue to create interesting content, grow my readership, and successfully monetize the work I’ve put into Little House in the Valley. I’m excited to begin contributing to Yakezie.com; it’s opened up new opportunities that I plan on developing in the future.
This post is part of the Yakezie Member Post Series. See all member posts here.
Great story! I remember my days in the cubicle trenches.
Thanks, Craig. I like cubicle “trenches,” that’s a great term!
Great story Little House! A few years ago a couple buddies of mine and looked into opening a hot dog stand. We actually went to a couple of stands and talked about it with the owners and they both said it was a lot harder than it seemed and don’t expect to get rich from it.
That was a good idea – to ask a few vendors about their job. If we had done that first, we probably would have thought twice about it. Then again, the experience was worth it!
Thanks for sharing, Little House! I share your frustration of knowing a lot about finances, without really putting it into action earlier.
Great meeting you here!
Thanks, Dr. Dean. It’s funny that sometimes things stare you right in the eye and you can’t figure out what to do. It took me some time, but I think I’m finally on the right path.
Little House,
Thanks for sharing your story. I see a common thread of several Yakezie members: try something and when it doesn’t work, try something else and on and on. Aren’t you glad you aren’t still in that despised cubicle?
Yes! It definitely wasn’t for me. I’m pretty flexible and patient, but I was bored a lot sitting in a cubicle. What I found was that there was not enough work for the 4 people they had hired as sales coordinators. When we lost 2 of them, it was more fun, but I had already made up my mind to leave! As for trying new things, my mind is a little over active. ;)
Thanks for sharing Little House! I love hearing all the things people have tried, and it is great that you did follow your dreams. (Even if they didn’t all work out perfect, at least you don’t have to worry about ‘what if’ one day.)
Keep on blogging!
Thanks, Kris. It’s better to have tried than constantly wonder “what if.” But that hot dog stand was a lot of work!
As always it’s inspiring to read others escape from the cubicle! I got out too and have no intention of going back…. Shame the food stand didn’t work out but I hear they are a hell of a lot of work in the long run.
I’m still in the 9 to 5, myself, but other than the fact that I sometimes wonder I’m turning into a zombie, I think that it’s not that bad; it could be a lot worse. I guess it depends on where you are and what you’re doing. I still want to get out of the rat race. :)
What were you doing before?
I don’t want to put down cubicle workers, some of them have very creative jobs. But in my case I was bored. They had hired too many of us to do a simple job and there really wasn’t anything creative about it, so I had to leave. However, it’s not been the easiest decision and it’s not for the faint of heart. ;)
Thanks, Forest. Yes, the food stand was a lot of work and it’s probably for the best that it tanked quickly. It allowed me to try some other possibilities out that did work!
Wonderful introduction post Little House! Great job on increasing your credit score significantly. Glad you’re a Yakezie member :)
Thanks, Elle. Time and better choices makes all the difference!
Nice to meet you, Little House. I bet you’re really glad that you got out of that 9 to 5 in the cubicle! I think humans are meant to be more or less free, and we just don’t thrive in areas of high conformity (assembly line work, cubicle work, etc…). Good for you for getting out of that, and you might find it even easier to buy a house down the road should prices decline further!
Thanks! I agree that humans didn’t evolve to sit all day. Although even though I don’t work in a “cubicle” per say, I still find myself sitting too dang much! As for buying a house, it’s still on the itinerary, but realistically a couple of years away. (I’m not sure I want to buy something in my area – thinking of eventually moving :) )
Fantastic Introduction. I love how both you and your husband are into trying out different opportunities and ideas!
Thanks, Journey to Millions. We have tried some different things, some of them have been successful, and others not so much. But each one has definitely been a learning experience!
Thanks for sharing your story. I think it’s great that you were able to escape from the cubicle. I also know what it’s like to have a ton of financial knowledge, but not implementing all of it. I look forward to getting more familiar with your writing and hopefully working together one day.
Thanks, Khaleef, for your comment. It’s great to know there are so many support readers out there!
What a great story for a truly great blogger.
You seems like such a nice, honest and caring person, I really enjoy reading your blog and recognize the way you add a certain distinct flavor to the Yakezie group that is very refreshing!
Congratulations on having such a great blog and being a writer at wisebread!
Thanks for such kind words, Money Reasons! It’s been a great experience reciprocating the favor of reading each others blogs. I think one of the goals I have this year to continue building a terrific readership and getting to know my readers as well.
I liked reading about putting your financial knowledge to work in a real life situation. That is great motivation to learn and do more!
Thanks, Narrow Bridge, for your comment. I look forward to getting to know more of you as well.
It is so cool to see a little behind-the-scenes on blogs I’ve been happily following for months and months! I can totally imagine opening a hot dog stand too and am getting very sick of my cubicle…
I’ve also really enjoyed learning more about our network of bloggers. Thanks for your comment, Crystal. I would definitely say pick something other than hot dog vending if you’re serious about quitting your day job. It was fun, but a heck of a lot of work! ;)
Little House – thanks for sharing your story, and helping all of us get to know you a little more. It seems like you have been working hard toward your goals, which all seem fantastic! By the way, great job on increasing your credit score so much. That’s real experience that can help many people.
I learned from my mistakes and was able to increase my score through time, patience, and making better choices. Thanks so much for your encouragement and kind words!
Your journey reminds me a lot of mine; I have had a bunch of different entrepreneurial failures in my past. It’s really disappointing when you find something you think will be big, like your hotdog stand idea, that turns out to be a dud shortly afterward. But you have to keep pushing forward and you will eventually land on something that works, like Little House, and your blogging career. I love what you are doing on Wise Bread and promote it when I see it. You are a talented writer and I look forward to working with you in the Yakezie!
Thanks Jesse for your comment. It’s strange how people’s lives run in parallel paths sometimes. Thanks also for the Wise Bread support!
Ah great story! I would love to follow your lead and get out of the cubicle!
Fantastic intro, Little House! As someone religiously saving for a down payment I can totally relate with you on that. You have an excellent blog and its great to know more about your background! I love your writing and hope to work with you in the future,
Suba, you and I are in a similar boat; the Valley is a challenging place to purchase a house! At least housing prices have dipped tremendously, but what you get for the price is just pathetic! Thanks for your comment. I look forward to reading more of your posts as well.
Little house, I’m surprised you didn’t mention your biking endevours! Btw- I just broke down and bought a mountain bike….moving from on-road to off and there’s no turning back. It’s so much fun!
@Car Negotiation Coach – I knew I forgot to mention something! I love my green Raleigh bike, however it’s more of a road or street bike than a mountain bike. I really need to think about spinning my love of bikes into it’s own thing. Perhaps “The Sexy Cyclist?” That’s catchy, right!?
I’m a mountain biker myself. How can I not be when Marin County, California nearby invented mountain biking!
That’s great you’ve taken the path less traveled. I think those business ventures earlier, allowing you to learn so much will pay dividends in the future. Speaking of monetization, please shoot me an e-mail with the info after you check the forums.
Best, Sam
Thanks, Sam. I love biking, but I’m much too timid for the mountains! I’ll definitely check the forums. Thanks again for this great opportunity!
I am fascinated by the degree in Anthropology! I’ve often thought that delving into lives through blogging merits an anthropological study of its own: the blogosphere is a culture of its own! With its own influences and dialects and varying degrees of development…
But I digress. Nice to meet you! :)
@Jolyn – That’s a great analogy: anthropologist / blogger. No wonder I’m enjoying networking and sharing my knowledge so much. It’s very nice to meet you too. There are so many outstanding and diverse bloggers in this group it’s exciting to share each others stories.
Wow- great story Little House. I still can’t believe you’ve been in the workforce for so long! Your picture (on the Wisebread site) looks amazing- must be the California lifestyle. =)
Well, gee thanks, Young and Thrifty! I have to say that though I do live in sunny CA, I have stayed out of the sun for the most part (I’m really fair) so that has minimized the wrinkles. ;) But yes, time is a ticking away! Oh, and that Wise Bread photo is a little old (there’s a newer one on my site.)
Good story! Love the way you put your goals out there for everyone to see. Helps keep you accountable. To yourself and the WORLD! LOL
@Martha – You’re right. One of the main reasons I started my blog was to keep myself accountable! It just happens to be that I’m now accountable to people I haven’t met personally. I wonder if, subconsciously, that removes some of the responsibility?
I had no idea about the hot dog stand. That’s great you tried the idea out. And even though you closed up shop, you & your husband went out to try something else. You’ve a come a far way up in the financial blog world and am happy to know you. Keep it up!
Thanks, Money Funk. Are you writing for Money Crashers, now? I really enjoy reading your blog, but I know that some big things were happening for you at the beginning of summer. Maybe that upcoming socal bloggers group will allow us to catch up in person!
If I tried to open a hot dog stand it would fail miserably. I would end up eating all the potential profits, eventually ending up with a bankrupt business and weighing 500 pounds!
You think I’m joking? :-)
Best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Very funny, Len! I’m really looking forward to the socal bloggers group. Are you as funny in person? I’m dying to know. ;)
No pressure, though!
Great story little house. I’m still in the cube jungle, but hopefully I can eek my way out of here before long and start doing something different. Also, I enjoy your posts on conservation, etc. I think it’s a part of saving money that’s not talked about often enough.
Thanks for mentioning my eco-conscious POV, Jeff. I don’t mention it as much as I should, but there really is a two-for-one benefit to “going green” (as long as you don’t buy unnecessary things to go green): save money, reduce your consumption, save the planet (in some small way). Thanks for pointing that out!
Good luck with the journey & thanks for sharing. Don’t forget about getting picked up by Wisebread! That’s another blogging accomplishment you’ve achieved.
Our ‘origins with blogging’ are fun to read in getting to know all the members.
Thanks FinEngr -Yes I realize I left out my love of biking and Wise Bread! I’ve been a little scatter brained lately. ;)
[…] the Yakezie.com website has been spotlighting a Yakezie member each weekday. Earlier this week, I was spotlighted. But, enough about me. Here is one from this week; Bucksome […]
Hi Little House, great story. I like the coffee cart part. I’m glad you kept your logo, even after I told you it was too girlie :-) You are doing a great thing, and I always look forward to your wisebread stories.
Thanks, Jeff. Yes, I decided to keep my logo and it is a bit girlie, but then again I am a girl! We can’t all have monster-trucks in our lives. ;) Thanks for reading my WiseBread articles, too. I’m trying to build up a readership on that end as well.
Little House, I am looking forward to meeting you at the So Call meetup. Thanks to Len for organizing.
I’m so impressed by everyone’s entrepreneurial bent. I’ve never wanted to strike out on my own; just not brave enough before. Maybe a food truck would have been successful?
@Kay Lynn, I can’t wait to meet you as well. As for the food truck; take it from me, it’s fun but A LOT of work! Although, I’m sure there are some people who would say that it’s completely worth it.
You have had quite the journey from the 9-5 cubicle job to becoming such a big-time blogger and working on the graphic design business with your husband. I give you a lot of credit for following your heart and wanting to work in something you enjoy, rather than dealing with the office politics every day.
Thanks, Andrew. I think that taking calculated risks is important to growing and learning. So I encourage others to do the same, but with a plan!
Yeah, I think you’re exactly right. Don’t just take risks, but they need to be calculated. But I think that’s awesome you encourage people to do that…otherwise people will also be wondering “what if?”
Hi Jennifer, I loved the hot dog stand story. Everyone needs a business loss or two to get their feet wet. We learn much more from our losses than our wins! Thanks for the peek in the window of your little house.
@Barb – I completely agree; one to two business losses can be turned into a learning experience. I also like your comment about peeking into my windows, that’s quite funny!
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