Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/465103
DearMary:Lastsum- mer I refinanced my home and paid my car off so that I could be- gin a new career in insurance sales. I've been at my straight commis- sion job for just over six months now, and although I am doing well by company standards, I'm making less than half of what I used to earn. Business is slow for me right now, and my debt is starting to creep up again. I'm good in sales, but getting started in this market is tough. I know you started with nothing in the real estate business and did well. In- surance and real estate are similar in that they are heavy referral in- dustries. Do I bail and find another job to pro- tect my family's finances or do I give it my all to make this career a suc- cess? Where's the line? I know you can't make my decision for me, but your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. — Dinah Dear Dinah: When I went into real estate, sales and property management back in the 1980s, I was on salary plus commission, so we had something to count on. Three years later my husband and I started our own real estate com- pany, which then became commission only. I had three years to es- tablish a clientele, and we'd also accumulated enough money to live on as we got established. I landed my first big com- mission in our own busi- ness within weeks of open- ing our business, but only because I'd built a strong customer base of people and repeat buyers (inves- tors) who trusted me. We had a lot of strength go- ing in. Starting out in a new industry on commission- only when you are count- ing on that income for your livelihood can be tough. Had you asked me this last summer, I would have strongly sug- gested that you need one year's living expenses in the bank before going into any type of commission- only sales. Without that kind of backup, you would be looking for trouble (like living on credit for the first year). It's just too risky. If you are routinely falling deeper into debt to make this work, you have to see that as a big red flag. The line you don't want to cross is relying on credit to pay for ordinary living expenses (food, shel- ter, transportation, utili- ties, etc.). Once you allow your bills to go past due and you're buying grocer- ies from the gas station mini mart because they'll take your gasoline credit card, you're in such a hole it's more difficult than you know to climb out. If I were you, I'd get very aggressive about finding a salaried posi- tion. Then think about do- ing your insurance sales, but on the side. When you have that year's worth of living expenses socked away, that would be the time to consider a full- time return to that indus- try. Dear Mary: With the tips and financial advice I've learned from you, I saved enough to buy a house much earlier than I ever anticipated! I'm 24 and only two years out of college. Because of my ex- cellent credit rating, I qualified for the mortgage with a monthly payment about the same as I was paying in rent! — Steph- anie Dear Stephanie: Just in case you cannot see me, I'm doing the happy dance all over my office. Cart wheels and confetti, too. You've done something amazing, and I am so proud of you. I have to ad- mit that most of the letters I get from 24-year-olds are about horrendous student loans and big credit card balances, so yours is a real treat. You are my shining star. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@eve- rydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheap- skate, P.O. Box 2099, Cy- press, CA 90630. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Stick it out or get out now? Mary Hunt The Rancho Tehama Association is looking for a new visual identity and needs your help. Organizers are seeking Rancho Tehama homeown- ers and residents, regard- less of age, who can design a creative and innovative logo that will become the official Rancho Tehama As- sociation logo. The logo should be recognizable and help promote a positive im- age of Rancho Tehama Reserve as a friendly community located in the foothills of the Sac- ramento Valley. Submissions will be ac- cepted through March 27. The winning logo becomes the sole property of the Rancho Tehama Associa- tion. A winner will be an- nounced at the Rancho Te- hama Association Board meeting in April. The contest winner will receive a cash award of $200 and bragging rights. Call Carrie Lee at 585- 2444 or send an email to carrierta@rtr.net for more details regarding logo design, contest rules and submission require- ments. Rancho Tehama is a pri- vate community consisting of more than 2,000 resi- dents and some 2,000 lots 12.5 miles west of Inter- state 5 between Red Bluff and Corning. RANCHO TEHAMA Entriessoughtforassociation'slogodesigncontest The following events and programs will be of- fered at the Kelly-Griggs House Museum this spring. Embroidery and needle- work program with cura- tor Bev Hartshorn will be offered at 10 a.m. Satur- day, March 28. Feel free to bring and share your fine work; open to the public. Appraisal day with John Humphries, renowned west coast antiquities ap- praiser and radio person- ality, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11. First come, first served; plenty of seating. Stay and enjoy the infor- mative sessions. Carry in items only, $5 per piece, proceeds benefit the build- ing restoration fund. A special presentation by Bill Wong Foey, local educator, artist and au- thor is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16. He will share his works, collec- tions and offer a book sign- ing. Open to the public. These upcoming events all take place at the mu- seum, 311 Washington St. in Red Bluff. Guided tours are available 1-3 p.m. most Sundays and Thursdays. Call 527-1129 for schedul- ing special tours or if you have any questions. Volun- teers are welcome. KELLEY-GRIGGS Pr og ra ms a nd e ve nt s at h ou se m us eu m COURTESYPHOTO Kelly-Griggs Museum curator Bev Hartshorn with one of her embroidery pieces that will be on display on March 28at the museum. RedBluffUnionElementarySchoolDistrict (530) 527-7200 Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten Registration for Bidwell, Metteer & Jackson Heights School Monday, March 2, 2015 • Time: 3-6pm JacksonHeightsSchool,225JacksonSt. Kindergarten: Must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2015 Transitional Kinder: Children whose 5th birthday falls between Sept. 2, 2015 & Dec. 2, 2015 Please Bring: Address Verification, Child's Birth Certificate, Immunization Records Kindergarten packets will be available in the school offices on Feb. 23. SacredHeartSchool SACRED HEART SCHOOL -2255 MONROE STREET -RED BLUFF,CA. 96080 WWW.SACREDHEARTREDBLUFFSCHOOL.ORG StrongAcademics Moral Formation - Values embedded in the curriculum College Preparation Small Class Size Family Atmosphere Safe, nuturiing environment Music, Art, Technology, and Library time Electives Extra-Curricular Spports Program SACRED HEART SCHOOL IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR KINDERGARTEN AND TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN FOR THE 2015-2016SCHOOLYEAR. CHILDREN 4 YEARS OLD BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 CAN BE ENROLLED IN TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN - FULL DAY CALL SACRED HEART SCHOOL @ 527-6727 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE A TOUR. Red Bluff Baseball 2ndAnnual"ForeBaseball" Golf Tournament & BBQ Lunch Saturday, February 28, 2015 Wilcox Golf Club (Deadline to submit teams, Monday, February 23, 2015) Proceeds support Red Bluff High Baseball Program & Red Bluff Bulls American Legion Baseball Thank you for your support For team participation and/or sponsorship contact Shelley @ 519-5377 or Denise @ 520-4794 LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Wednesday, February 18, 2015 » MORE ATFACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5