What A Difference A Year Makes

One year ago:

We put the Alberta house on the market.  We were sure we could sell it ourselves.  We probably could have sold it but not for the price we wanted so we took it off the market in June and moved to BC to occupy our small Island pad.  My stepson, who is attending college,  is now occupying that home until we sell it.  It goes back on the market shortly using a Realtor this time who just today told us that last year at this time there were twice as many homes on the market - things are moving again!  He also told us the market value on our home has increased 3 percent this year,and large homes (ours is five bedrooms on the top floor and is a two story walkout finished on all three levels - nearly 3500 sq foot of total living space) are in demand!  We are trying to time the market and we hope to have it listed in March.  Hubby will meet with the Realtor next week when he is in Alberta on Business.  Crossing all fingers and toes!!

One year ago:

Hubby quit his job January 30th and started his own company, after wanting to do so his entire life.  He had been a General Sales Manager of a very large media company. He left a large paycheck and a big title at the top of his game - his co-workers thought he was crazy!   I  also had a very good job as a senior underwriter for a large insurance company.  I was able to quit in June and miss my co-workers but  the job itself was really  very stressful and extremely easy to quit when we moved.   If hubby had not gone into self-employment we would have had to stay many more years in Alberta before moving to Vancouver Island.  Hubby started with just one major client, and by fall had so many signed contracts that he needed my help.  I am now officially his sidekick in administration.  I am very thankful that hubby is so talented and hard working that the company has enough business so that we can support four kids (three on child support and one living in our Alberta home), and pay the bills on both homes.   Yes, we have assets that could be tapped into if necessary, plus lines of credit but we have not had to do that yet.  Due to our equity in our Alberta Home when it sells we will be mortgage free again - this time for life!  We downsized our living space, downsized our vehicles and now live a richer life.  The kids were extremely supportive as although they knew we were moving away understood that we had long wanted to live on the Island.  We actually have much better quality time with them through visits,  Facetime, and Skype, and communicate with them more than when they lived with us part-time.

One year ago:

We were shoveling snow, braving minus 25 degrees celcius temperatures, and dreaming of life on Vancouver Island

Today:

Comox Valley 

Dreams can come true with saving, planning, and figuring out what you really want out of life!