How My Journey to Financial Freedom Began
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A few years back I was sitting in my 2-bedroom apartment unemployed. I was not doing too badly, but I could do a lot better. I was on Section 8 housing, getting food stamps (now called SNAP), and broke. This was shortly after my daughter was born and I had quit my courthouse clerk job. Fortunately her father made sure the child support was on time so I at least had something coming in.
I sat at the table and thought about where I wanted to be in a year, in five years. One thing I knew, I didn’t want to be in the same apartment and living the same life. I could have (and probably did at times) complained bitterly about my circumstances, but I refused to because it wouldn’t help anything anyway.
I was reading the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People at the time. It made a positive impact on my life to the point that I decided to set some goals. I had always been a dreamer but never good at setting goals. That day I decided I would do it. I’d set my goals and begin moving toward them.
My list was a little over half a notebook page full. I wanted to make $25k a year. I wanted a house in the country. I wanted an SUV…..and the list went on and on. I just wasn’t sure how to go about getting the things I wanted, but I didn’t worry about it. I read through my list again then put it on top of my pile of papers. I lost that list for a long time, but when I found it again (while packing to move), I was pleasantly surprised to see most of the things on my list had come true.
A few weeks after I made the list I spoke to a good friend who worked at the largest company in the city. She told me about a position that I could possibly fill. She gave me the details and a few weeks later I had a new job making more money than I had ever imagined making. It would allow me to get a nicer place to live and begin building the life I wanted.
It all started with writing down what I wanted out of life. Writing my goals was equal to making a decision to have a different life. No matter how much I dreamed, it would be worthless if I did not turn it into a goal.
I recommend writing down what you want for your life. It is the first step to getting what you want. If you need help, I highly recommend you get the books The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
and/or Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It
I hope my story encourages you to take a risk and write down your goals. You have nothing to lose if you do. Look for more about my journey to financial freedom over the next few months.
Samantha Gregory
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My story is similar and I can relate. You have come a long way. Congratulations to your success!
Thanks for your comment! It’s good to know other single moms out there can relate. It’s easy to think you are alone.
Thank you for your inspirational story. I am going to begin to write down all the things I want out of life for me and my girls.
I’m glad you stopped by to read the story. It’s just the beginning so look out for over the next few months. I promise that when you begin writing things down, things will start happening for you and your daughters!
Thanks for sharing!! I am at my crossroads point right now. I want so much more for my children and myself. I am going to write my goals down and grab those books! Thanks again Samantha for all you do!!
Very inspiring, story; ^5 and congrats! Single mothers need stories just like these to inspire us!
@SaVonni So glad you liked reading my story. I think single moms need stories like this as well to see what’s possible despite hardships in the beginning. I’ll post part 2 this week.
@Shannon Sometimes the crossroads is the best place to be. It means you get to choose what direction you will go in. Keep moving forward is the most important thing of all. You are going to make it!
Fantastic testimony!