One does not need to have a healthy bank account to be able to buy properties. Sure, it is helpful. However, I can tell you from personal experience that you can be a pauper and succeed in real estate.

My Personal Story of Where I Started From
I had meager beginnings. My family way back on both sides are people of strong fiber and character, hardworking, and poor. My parents continued in that tradition. Oh, we were not destitute or anything like that. We always had food on the table and a roof over our heads. (I was the oldest of four boys.) I remember one Christmas when money was tight, and all Dad and Mom were able to afford was a pair of gloves for each of us, and a camera to share. Do not get me wrong; we had more good Christmases than not, and I am not complaining. I am thankful because I know there are those who had it much worse. My point in sharing this with you is to say, "If I can do it, so can you!" As a teenager I learned to work hard. I made a commitment to myself that I was going to find a way to achieve financial independence. I could have graduated from high school, and I did not. Lacking maturity, and wisdom, (during this time of my life) I instead dropped out, and joined the U.S. Navy. I spent five years there, got my G.E.D., and worked in the medical field. During my last two years I worked nights in the emergency room at the Great Lakes Naval Medical Center, and went to college during the day. I had gotten married and had my first son. There seemed to never be enough money. I went to school days, worked nights, and part time on weekends delivering pizza, getting 2 hours sleep most nights, and cat naps when I could squeeze them in. I still could not make ends meet.

I felt strongly that being in business for myself must be the key. Achieving success via higher education was tempting me. I worked closely with doctors, and that profession was of interest; however, the time commitment in getting there and a doctor’s schedule was discouraging to me. I got my paramedic’s license and went to work for an ambulance company making $17,300 a year. The money was not enough, and the hours were demanding, even though I enjoyed the work of helping others.

I started to focus my thoughts on the fact that I kept hearing about people who were successful at investing in real estate. I was intrigued. So I took a real estate course and got my license. I went to work part time for a typical real estate brokerage office. I asked the broker about investing, he said "just focus on listing, the investing will come later" I did not want to wait for later. I saw an article on the front page of the real estate section of the Chicago Tribune newspaper. It was about a man named Gary Furstenfeld. He was very successful at buying foreclosures. The article indicated he taught classes at a downtown learning center. I called them and asked for his phone number. When they would not give it to me, I asked them to call and ask his permission. They did, and he did, and I called him. I told him of my interest in buying properties, and if he would teach me, I could then duplicate his efforts. I would be willing to work for him for free, just for the opportunity to be around him and learn. He arranged an interview appointment with me. It lasted two hours.

I left my paramedic job and went to work 12 to 14 hours a day, 6 to 7 days a week for three months — for free! I was not paid a dime! However, the education that I got, — well, Napoleon Hill said it best, "If you feed a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for life!" Nothing was just handed to me; my hand was not held. I was barely surviving financially during this time period, living off credit cards. I pushed and shoved, asked for direction, and made things happen!

I share this bit of personal history with you in an attempt to instill in you the concept that you do not need money to get started in this business; nor do you need a great amount of education, nor do you need to do what I did working for free for some like I did. Even my mentor then, didn't know the easy techniques and opportunity I offer students today. You just need desire and the willingness to put forth the effort to make it happen. If you have money, it is just that much easier for you; however, the amount you have limits the amount you can do. The information I share can work for you as well as for the have not's.

I share information I wish was available to me when I first started out. If I had the information I share starting out, instead of acquiring it by trial and error, I would of made a lot less mistakes, and made a lot more money in less time.

Success is available to anyone who is willing to put forth the effort to make it happen.
Some believe it is acquired through many years of what they consider to be higher education. Spending tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. I have had family and friends who have gone that route, and now that they see my success exceeds theirs. I have sensed resentment. Even though I willing share how I have done it. I think they feel it just isn't fair!
Life is fair, it is how we use it that make the difference.
Success through higher education is certainly a viable route, I have just chosen a route that has worked better for me.

I have helped many people achieve success without having to put forth nearly the amount of effort that I did. Yet it also amazes me the occasional person who will inquire of me about investing, want me to mentor them and help them be successful. However, they won't spend a measly $25 for a book that for me would of been priceless if I had it when I first started out. Or attend my investment simulation for a hands on experience, for only $49! That is OK though, because we need those people performing the many jobs out there that make our lives more comfortable. I want to share my wealth with those who are truly ready to make an investment in themselves, and apply it properly. I had to refinance my used car for the $500 tuition to attend my first Robert Allen Seminar in 1983. I've attended many since. Therein, is where I believe the real higher education exists, along with the practical experience.

You see I cannot make success happen for anyone, that has to come from within side of them. All I can do is share the knowledge I have acquired, encourage, motivate, provide people with a virtual investment experience, and then it is simply up to them to take action!

After all, going to work everyday for someone else is taking action, it is just action for their success instead of yours.

Now I live in a half million dollar home, (In North West Indiana mind you) take my wife and friends out to eat whenever I want, comfortably help family, and friends in times of need, provide the best possible education for my boys, buy my wife the desires of her heart, drive new automobiles of my choice, contribute generously to my church, and I could go on and on. No it was not easy. Any guru who says that it is, be suspicious. It takes effort, and it is worth it!