Since I was called a liar on Brad's dream big post. Figured I'd come here and clear up a few things. Obviously somebody on this website thinks that I'm a liar. I know I shouldn't give them any credit, but I'll clear up their concerns. The poster states that I claim to make a lot of money on flip houses but haven't bought my wife a ring. First of all, I don't see how one has anything to do with the other. I have made plenty of money on plenty of flip houses and I put all of that money back into my business except for review for vacation or the family here and there and stuff like that. Oh and we bought a new couch and a new mattress last year, since you need to know.

As far as not find my wife and engagement ring, that's a very personal issue but to clear up the confusion. all I can say is that I tried that once in the past and it didn't end so well when she ran off with my best friend, so this relationship was approached a little differently. Not that that is your business, but you're asking for truth and I will not be called a liar.

Also, the poster stated that I claimed to have lived in a house smaller than some of my apartments. Well, if you really need to know my personal living situation like this. I lived in a shoebox of an apartment starting about 10 to 12 years ago up to about six years ago. It was about 400 to 500 ft.² it cost me $375 a month. In that time I went from zero units to 13 apartments and flipped a number of houses.

Then six years ago, my wife and I bought our first house. It was 800 ft.² and yes I have apartments bigger than that house. We had three children in that house and it got a little tight and just moved out of it right before Christmas 2016. Now we have a 2700 square-foot house which is very adequate for our family. And after much blood, sweat, and tears, Congrats to us.

Why would I live in such a small house in such a small apartment? it's very simple, I live below my means so I could put every ounce of energy in my business my blood, my sweat, my tears, my finances. I don't have toys. No boats, quads, fancy trucks or big vacations.

So if you're going to sit at your computer and drunk text and doubt me and call me a liar in front of tons of people. Many of them who I have met in person and come to respect, you are a disgrace to this website. Embarrassing.

Also, if you really need to know about my crews and my guys, well here you go. We knock out houses faster than anybody else in our area. People come to us asking how do you do this? how do you do that? how do you do this? how do you do that? Do you realize how ridiculously easy this stuff is? It's child play. People come here all the

Time up in arms over stuff that is elementary.

We are the freaking A-team in this area, bottom line. We could knock out a total gut bread and butter house in six weeks.

How much proof do you want? Do you want me to update you with pictures every day? Give me your email and I will. As a matter of fact, I do send quite a few pics to other posters here.

We are doing something with real estate Every freaking day. And as a matter fact I don't have to prove Jack to you buddy. But for anybody else here who may be thinking that I'm a liar I dare you to come and spend a week with me.

NE, I believe you. I have been very fortunate financially, probably in the 1%er club, but I have never bought my wife of 19 years an engagement ring. Nor would she want one. We and our three teenage children have traveled all over the world, the kids have funded college funds and can go wherever they want. I could retire tomorrow but love my 9 to 5 which allows me to serve my friends and neighbors.

How you choose to spend your money is nobody's business but your own. And your wife's. And the 1,000s of knuckleheads who follow you here.

Keep your chin up, friend

Naploean Hill: If the thing you wish to do is right, and YOU BELIEVE IN IT, go ahead and do it! Put your dreams across, and never mind what 'they' say if you meet with temporary defeat, for 'they' perhaps, do not know that every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success.

After I bought my 3rd (personal) house, (I already had a couple of rentals. ) I had a gal who I *thought* was one of my best friends. She started acting really weird snd stand offish. Then after a few drinks one night, she finally said a few snarky things to me in front of other friends. That "who do you think you are," type of stuff like you are responding to. Really hurt my feelings. Mentioned it to my dad; he told me that he experienced similar after he and mom built the swimming pool. Jealousy.

You're out there doing stuff others' dream about and MAKING IT HAPPEN!

NE, for some people "staff" more important than for others.

My father used to tell me as a child it is no one's

business how much you make or have in the bank ect. If

anyone asks, tell them it is none of your business. That

is what I live by today.

Ignore the idiots that criticize you or what you do.

The ones that criticize you probably wish they could be

We met a contractor today who is living the dream. Came to the US from Bosnia 17 years ago and started working construction. In 2008 he went to work on a Wednesday and the owner told him he was locking the doors and going out of business. Mr. Bosnia opened his own business on Friday and has never looked back. He has fifty guys working for him and built six nursing homes from the ground up last year, as well as some other smaller projects.

We met him as we were driving away from our latest project, a typical 3/1 house in a B- neighborhood. We stopped because we saw a couple guys doing what was clearly a whole-house remodel and we're looking for contractors. Mr. Bosnia was overseeing the project, a house for himself. His new house? A 3/1 ranch that couldn't be more than 1800 square feet. He's putting a rec room in the basement with an additional half bath, but that's the extent of his "luxury."

This is a guy whose goal this year is to buy ten more houses and six apartment buildings.

You tell 'em NE! They hate you cause they ain't you!

I believe in the old saying that if you don't blow your own horn someone else will use it for a spittoon.

If you do well you will have jealous folks, unless you surround yourself with people who are wiser and wealthier. I cultivate the leaders of our community. My little business pales when compared to the guy who started with a tiny drive through coffee stand and is now opening a Holiday Inn. Or my friend who started printing t-shirts in her garage and now has a warehouse office complex three times the size of mine. Dam her! Or compared to "our own" Brad or Robert or Jeffery. ;)

Or god forbid, the patriarch of our whole city - Don Laughlin (who our sister town is named after) and owns a 25 story casino hotel. He started our town with a 12 room motel by the river! THERE's a REAL success story! I've had the opportunity to talk with him a couple of times about real estate in our area (since he owns about half the land).

I may come on here and sound like a know it all sometimes, but I LEARN from folks like that.

And I carry a two thousand dollar pistol, so let 'em hate. :)

NE, If you're happy with your life and the way you live it that's what matters. One of the great things about real estate is that you get to play and win the game your own way. I always enjoy hearing about different strategies. I have a good healthy respect for those who have the stones to not just talk about a plan but who will also carry it out. You did things your way and it works for you. Hats off to you.

As for engagement rings.... meh..there are a lot of women that started their marriage with a big Rock only to find they really couldn't wear it after the divorce and expect anyone to ask them out. What's more important is that the two of you are happy. What anyone else thinks doesn't matter.

I hope to see you at conference.

My father told me, "don't by your wife a big diamond until you have been married for 20 years ---you want to make sure they are going to stick around "

I didn't listen the first time- marriage lasted legally for 2 years.

I know you, you are a big ol' teddy bear.... BUT I would never poke the bear. Don't let a few soreheads get to ya.

NE, most of the people who see me on a semi regular basis have no idea, who I am, what I do, what i am actually capable of doing, what I own, where I live, how much I'm worth or what my personal situation is, all of which is just fine with me.

Some of the best advice I ever heard:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because people who mind don’t matter and people who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

"This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man." -

William Shakespeare

"In another hundred years none of this will really matter" - my Dad

PS We still believe & love you.

It's obvious you have plenty of people here who know you through the written word and believe in you.

But better than that, you believe in yourself, as does your wife.

Water. Duck. Back.

As long as you and your wife a satisfied with the way you live, it is not anyone else's business. It is wonderful to find a mate that has the same ideas and values as you do. Some people like big houses, some like small, some women like jewelry, some don't care. You earn the money, you get to spend it or not the way you chose.

NE, Don't let "Truth" get under your skin.

You have nothing to prove to him.

Thanks folks. Well, I'm heading out to my imaginary project house to see if we can get a path busted down the driveway in the imaginary 2' of snow so my imaginary guys and I can continue to do some imaginary work to it. ;-).

Your story is similar to mine. I don't want expensive jewelry. One more thing to insure. I'm in the 1% group as well.

My daughter chuckled about me the other day. She said, "Mom, you're so funny, nobody would believe you own all these nice houses and you live in a one bedroom garage apartment!" It's a 720 sq ft one bedroom apartment which is bigger than some of my houses actually.

I love my little garage apartment and the tenants in the main house pay all my living expenses so I live for free. The property has a 900sq ft free standing garage with 11 ft ceilings and we turned it into a gorgeous workshop complete with efficiency apartment/office. Husband/partner uses it for his go to place. He has the south wing and I have the west wing! The tenants even mow the lawn. Sure it's an unusual set-up but who cares. It meets all our needs. We could sell all the rentals and never work again if we wanted. That is freedom.

NE {PA}

Although we will never meet,(just the way it is) I enjoy your posts.

I got Clobbered in a Devorce (20 year Marriage)

and had to rebuild my Life and Portfolio.

After 11 years (of Pushing it really hard) I gained

some traction. (Financially again in Realty)

Went for a Harley Ride one night and came back with

a Girl that was looking for a guy like me.

Having found (Several) nice Rings over the years,

(Tip) Always check those drain traps, I put one

on Her finger,(after much laughing) and 2 1/2 years

of building our relationship.( Married in Las Vegas)

She got another (Trap) Ring after serving in the US Navy

for 21 years.

That leaves a Future Third (Trap) Ring for when she retires from

her Day Job, of 30 years.

At the end of every day,"It's Her and I against the World".

I will admit, at times here, some Posters act like they

never left High School. (Trying to One Up the Others)

Move Forward, find your own Niche and if it aint Fun,

don,t do it.

CHEERS !

"(Tip) Always check those drain traps."

That's what I'm here for.

NE, I can tell from your posts that you are focused on building a good business, as well as a good life for your family. I like how "good life" does not mean acquiring toys and stuff for yourself. My hubby and I live the same way - we're maybe 20 years older, and are now living a comfortable semi-retirement. Our kids never wanted for the necessities, and learned to work and save for the "wants", and I'll bet that yours will, too.

I only chimed in with my story about my hubby refurbishing my cheapie Sears ring because of the sweet gesture, not because I think women must have bling. Obviously, your wife is fine with the way things are, and that's the thing that counts. Sorry if you felt pressured to do otherwise.

You tell them! Please don't stop sharing your experiences and knowledge! Many of us aspiring LL/real estate investors are learning from you!

Some of the difficulties with a national board include a lack of a central market place.

I once sold a small bread and butter house to a person from New England. He asked me the price, I told him the value of the place and he wanted to know if the place was condemned. I said no, that is the appraised value and a tenant lives in it. The next question was why so low? This sale price is half of what he pays in taxes each year on his own home.

When I told him that the place gets $525 a month rent, he thought I was crazy as that is way too much rent for such a cheap house. Nope that is how the market place runs here. In places along the coast, the prices would be 15 times higher for a bread and butter unit out there. Rents probably will not be 15 times higher but those places appreciate and this one will probably never go up in value.

So is it crazy to talk about about $30,000 houses bringing in so much - probably if you can't relate to it. In the end the guy did end up buying the place is is getting cash on cash returns that are off the charts.

I am getting a 9% return by just being the bank. So everyone won in that case.

AD Kessler would always say Real estate is not about bricks and mortar as it is about people. It is a people business with specific life styles.

Who is anyone to really question ones life style?

I only wish I had half as much energy as you have.

NE,.

We've never met, but the dedication you give to your landlording/flipping business is obvious in your posts. You bust your butt too much to have some jealous poster rain on your parade. I've never questioned a word you've said, but have been in awe of what you do. Keep on doing what you do. Haters gonna hate. Don't waste your precious time or energy on this "Truth".

And as far as the whole ring thing-I for one think they are overrated. It's a symbol. You don't always need one if you feel that secure in your relationship or simply don't care for rings! It's between you and your wife.

Every family has their own interpretation and way of living comfortably. Landlords aren't required to drive fancy cars, live in huge expensive homes, or go on 3-4 vacays to tropical Paradise every year. Thats the beauty of landlording- you live your life and do it your own way.

Its the internet trolls are going to troll, and quite frankly this is a very civil and professional forum IMHO. The reason I keep coming back here is most people that frequent it are actually running pretty successful rental operations and its fun talking shop.