I spent all last weekend murdering Vine Weevil Grubs in my garden pots. Somehow over the last two and half years where I have been so busy either buying and building my property portfolio, or writing a book about how I used Other People’s Money or setting up a training business ….. I had forgotten about my garden and how much pleasure I got from it.

I suppose there are two clear messages for me – first about not forgetting the simple pleasures in life – like pootling around in your own garden and also if you don’t tend to your garden – the Vine Weevils will! Read the rest of this entry

I was just catching up after a weekend training event as you do … no email just focused on clearing the paperwork when the phone rang …. As it so often does when you are busy The lady on the other end asked politely was I free to talk and of course I said yes because you never know what the conversation might be about until you start it.

Some 30 minutes later we have agreed a one hour Skype call in March after my holiday to finalise plans for me to source her an HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy) in Liverpool part of a “guaranteed” rent scheme. The return on her investment is likely to be 16-25%, there is also the opportunity to reinvest some of her funds in a joint venture meaning that she will keep her capital and be able to buy another cashflowing – high returning investment every 9 months or so – very exciting.

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How taking a holiday can help
I have asked this question before – are you struggling for ideas or dazzled by the opportunities that seem to be presenting themselves on every corner? I believe it is a really important question. If you are struggling for ideas – for clarity in your business or a way to increase your financial freedom – I believe that you will find it is because you are not spending enough time thinking about your business. Alternatively if you are dazzled by opportunities, maybe even overwhelmed – unsure which way to turn – then that maybe because you lack a clear vision for your business and a clear reason for doing it. Read the rest of this entry

Its been almost a month since my last post – wow how time flies …  I finished the book at last – I think getting it published and printed was almost harder than writing it and then decided to take a break and think through my next round of business objectives – but more about that in later posts.

So what have I learnt by writing a book? …. Read the rest of this entry

This has been sooooo difficult and yet so simple …. what a strange experience! As some of you know I had a chance email from my Ecademy profile inviting me to contribute to a new Ebook called 378 Predictions for doing business in 2010. What a simple idea (thought I!). I realised that one of my longer term hopes had been to write a book.

I took a brilliant series of classes with Tom Evans -The BookWright back in 2008 I think. Anyway I shelved the idea as the buzz of property investing took me by storm. Now here I am with three chapters in the bag and five more to be recorded today. It has been so easy because I am doing what I love best …..

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Last Monday I spoke at the Berkshire Property Meet for the first of two appearances, I was honoured to share the stage with the Dr Rohan Weerasinghe and of course the great hosts Juswant and Sylvia Rai. I talked about my experiences as a new property investor over the last eighteen months. How I had set my goals, educated myself, been determined and adaptable over that time. I listened to lots of experienced investors including Rohan, Rob Moore, Phil Martin, Simon Zutshi, Mark Dalton, Sean Thomson and many others. Read the rest of this entry

I woke up this morning with a profound thought … my life is made up or shaped by those things I believe … and my future will be all that I can imagine. I think that this realisation is the culmination of a week full of ‘messages’, thoughts and ideas. It is also all about choice. Read the rest of this entry

Today Bob told everyone at work that it was Happy Tuesday, he put a sign on his door and waited…. Read the rest of this entry

I was only away on holiday in June – just 6 weeks ago! I spent a full week on a photography course – now I am back in the Red Sea and can’t remember how to use my camera!!!  Read the rest of this entry

I have to say I thought it was just me – only my valuations being down valued. I even explained to my estate agent that it didn’t matter what value she said … I would always have to knock £5-10,000 off the price to match the surveyor. At last the BBC and news are picking up on the fact. Read the rest of this entry