Getting Started

[BabyFace]

Hey everyone,

I'm 20 years old and live in Toronto. I just started reading and applying the principles in 4 Hour Work Week.

The book's obviously awesome and reflects where I'm at in my life. Below is a quick snapshot of my situation:

I'm 20 years old. I go to York University for Accounting. I dislike accounting (read: ----ing hate). It's not for me and I'm 100 percent sure of this. The reason I'm still taking it is because when I was 16, my dad (who was quite intimidating back then) forced me to choose a profession and I bascically didn't think for myself. I just kind of went along with what he said. I now realize that working 9-5 or maybe even 9-10 during business season is not what I want.

Passions: I love fighting. I compete in boxing, bjj, wrestling, and going to start muay thai this summer. Another one of my passions is Self Development. I'm always listening to tapes and trying stuff out on myself.

What I want:

1) Move out on January 1, 2010. Just literally take my stuff and go. If I tell my parents before this (my dad is a very negative person), they'd do everything to stop me. Does anyone have any advice on the pitfalls, or stuff to watch out for when moving out? Or just give me some tips and share your experiences with this. I want to know what it was like for other people who took a huge leap of faith and just left.

2) I have a website www.edgedating.com Please put some comments about the website on this thread and tell me ways I can improve it. I want to make enough passive income from it to cover my expenses but I"m not sure how to do it. Do I just get more affiliate programs?

3) What are some other ways I can make passive income. The only other one that comes to mind is: network marketing. I'm sure I can come up with something, I just don't know where to start.

Any help or advice is much appreciated. Thanks guys!

[Sven]

I'm going to be frank here so brace yourself. The dating site may do with a bit of tweaking but I think that it can be compelling to browse.

The moving out part, all I think is important is that when it's time, you have to go. There will probably never be a good moment as far as you parents are concerned. But you are right in leaving, do not stay with a negative person!!! Maybe you can find someone to share a flat with, that may seem less risky to you parents.

But what I think is the most important thing is this:

Get out of the self improvement crap! Caling it a passion is ridiculous!









Pause.

Here's why.

Self improvement implies there is something wrong with you. That you need to change something about yourself to become ... or get ... (happy, successfull, desirable, wealthy) People that realy think that that is the case are also the ones that think that the next boob job, nose job, botox injections and what not will bring hapiness.

It is not strange to me that you are attracted to self improvement if you have a negative father. It is realy time to leave!

Self improvement is a myth. Believing it sets you up for a life long rolercoaster ride of misery and small highs. You will be wealthy, desirable, to other self improvement addicts.

STOP!
You are fine just the way you are!

Trash all the SI books and delete all SI files from your computer. Do something valuable with your life.

Good luck!

[BabyFace]

Thanks for the reply. So far, everyone says move out. I haven't had one person tell me I should stay. I guess this might be a sign :)

Oh, and about the self improvement. I think we may have different meanings for the word "self improvement". For example I consider "4 Hour Work Week" a self improvement book. You can call it "improving your effectiveness" or whatever. However, I've never heard that view point before so I'll consider it. Maybe you're right.

[webgal]

Yes, you should move out and make your own space. It doesn't hurt to learn responsibility. Although I'd advise you to pull out of accounting, finish your schooling. You will be glad you did no matter what anyone says here. My job as a marketer is to analyze people and no one ever regrets having finished their degree.

[captaink]

Yes, move out.
There are many pitfalls, but as long as you are honest and straight in your dealings with people, most are automatically avoided.

The rest are funny stories to tell later.

No, do not quit school. Finish school. You will be so glad you finished school, believe me.

::captaink::

[Stallion]

Moving out is relatively simple. Your parents will eventually have to accept it. It is inevitable. The only thing making it difficult to move out the first time is a security deposit on your rent.

Remember how Tim said it was better to act and beg for forgiveness than ask or permission? Go sign a lease, than tell your parents what you did.

[J C McGuire]

People change majors all the time. Is this impossible in your case?

I know this doesn't really doesn't help answer the big question, but I don't think anyone should push themselves entirely through a major that they "hate".

[Stallion]

People change majors all the time. Is this impossible in your case?

I know this doesn't really doesn't help answer the big question, but I don't think anyone should push themselves entirely through a major that they "hate".

I guess it depends on what you're getting. I went for engineering and it was mind numbing doing tedious physics and advanced calculus all day, everyday, but by the last year we started doing applications of the knowledge and it got very interesting.

[johnnywolf]

1. Cut and keep your expenses as low as possible.
2. Don't spend any money on crap you don't need, and use it to buy assets.
3. Drive more traffic to your website, it has potential but isn't there yet.
4. Don't tell your parents until the day before you move out, in fact, don't tell anyone. When I did it myself, everyone said it was a bad idea and tried to make me feel bad and stay. Just do it first, then tell them.
5. Finish accounting, it'll help. Realize you can use those skills for anything, not just as an accountant. Play Cashflow 101 to see my point and read Rich Dad Poor Dad.
6. Use MMA and fighting as a goal to travel around and train and watch matches. I moved to Thailand for three months to train in Muay Thai. It was a good inspiration.

Good luck!

[Moore Thought]

Over here in Australia there is a guy named Steve Mcknight (Author or 'From 0-260+ Properties in 7 years).

He started off as an accountant and hated it, moving into property investing

His journey has been interesting to watch over the last few years, and he has a real estate forum with over 70,000 members. You might want to check him out at:

www.propertyinvesting.com

www.wealthtipsonline.com.au (This was his first site, but it is still active due to the useful content contained within. Updates are now done at propertyinvesting.com)

[badhank]

Just a thought about your relationship with your father

I too have a very controlling father that tried to inject his will on my actions. He has never changed, but I have changed that dynamic since mid highschool. Yes its all because he cares for you and has life experience that he wants the best etc etc etc. Thats great and you should thank him for his efforts in raising a fine young man (have to assume that last part since i dont know you, but ur in school and have what seems to be a sound mind for making money, a lot of ppl dont make it that far without supporting parents).

That being said i can cut the warm and fuzzy thoughts without offending you, here it is. Your father does not respect your ability to make decisions, to him you are the same kid you were when you were 13. This is your fault, as you have not appropriately asserted yourself. Do not withhold your intentions (to move out or other) to spring it on him. Give him your reasons and have counters ready to his possible replies. Arguments with some1 as close as an overbearing father are very predictable. Maybe start with something small and work your way up to changing programs (to something health or business related perhaps? stay in school) and eventually to your intentions to move out. Use that knowledge that comes from "self improvement" style courses to improve your relationship with him. You will get into a lot of arguments. As you get into more and more of them he will learn to respect your views, especially if your prepared for him and win most of them.

gl with everything