Preface: Who This Book Is (and Isn't) For – No Excuses, Just Results

A Wake-Up Call: This Isn't for Excuse-Makers, Blamers, or the Complacent

Imagine breaking free from the endless cycle of rent payments that drain your dreams—it's possible, and it starts with the right mindset. But let's be honest: this book isn't for everyone. If you're someone who clings to excuses, constantly pointing fingers at the world for your struggles, you might find these pages challenging. Over my decades as a landlord, I've witnessed too many tenants trapped by this thinking. One woman in my NE Fremont Street apartment complex comes to mind. Around 40, on housing assistance with a child and boyfriend, her rent share was just $72 a month. Yet, when eviction loomed, excuses poured in—blaming the stretch between paychecks for their inability to save that modest amount. All while driving a sleek new car far superior to my reliable old Chevrolet. I believe dependency breeds more dependency; the more you receive without effort, the more you seek it. I don't know her story's end after I sold the property, but that excuse-driven path likely held her back from true freedom.

This journey to wealth isn't for those who blame the uncontrollable—the economy's ups and downs, politicians like Trump or Biden, or even the weather being too cold, too wet, too hot, or too windy. It's not for the perpetually negative, who assume they know it all or criticize without fully engaging. If endless phone scrolling, daily TV marathons, or constant complaints about work without seeking change define you, this might not ignite your spark. And if procrastination is your companion, waiting for perfection before acting, consider this a gentle nudge elsewhere. We all have endless excuses for stagnation, but they won't pave the road to prosperity.

If You Avoid Hard Work, Daily Learning, or Personal Growth – Look Elsewhere

Yet, picture the transformation that comes from embracing hard work, daily growth, and relentless learning—it's the fuel that propelled me forward. Arriving in America at 15 as a refugee, I faced a world of unknowns: a language I couldn't speak, cold winters, and unfamiliar faces. But I refused to blame circumstances. Instead, I dove in with determination. In under six months, I grasped English comfortably, thanks to after-school tutors and ESL classes at Lincoln High School, starting from the basics like a first-grader. I aced math early on, even without reading skills, and pushed through.

No complaints about the long bus rides to school, the 30-minute walks to my job at Strohecker's grocery store in SW Portland, or the hour-plus treks home after late shifts. At just 15, I chipped in for our family's $275 monthly rent on a three-bedroom apartment, sharing the load with my siblings. Earning a mere $2.25 an hour, I still saved diligently, buying my first car—a Datsun 180Z—for $4,000 cash at 17. Today, with wages often exceeding $20 an hour, imagine what consistent effort could achieve. If shying away from that grind, from daily learning, exercise for better health, or the belief that you can grow stronger and wiser sounds like you, this book may not resonate. Seek inspiration that matches your pace.

Own Your Life: No Blaming Presidents, Economy, Weather, or Anyone But Yourself

Now, envision owning your destiny fully—that's the power of personal responsibility. Success isn't handed out; if setbacks occur, look inward first. No one owes you a thing; entitlement fades against earned achievement. Government programs can be lifelines, but you must qualify, learn the ropes, and seize them.

I've seen this truth shine in those who rise above. Take an investor I guided, working a steady job at a Beaverton tech firm with a family to support. He started small with a duplex, committing extra payments to pay it off in five years. Undeterred by raising two kids, he and his wife expanded into multifamily properties. Three decades later, they're real estate millionaires, properties debt-free, retired in SE Portland, with their children carrying the legacy. That's the reward of ownership—no blame, pure perseverance.

If You're Ready to Earn Greatness, Health, and Wealth – Dive In

If these stories stir something in you—a spark of "I can do this too"—then welcome; this book is your blueprint. Paying rent or housing costs often tops every family's budget, but imagine redirecting that energy. By mitigating this massive expense through smart strategies like house hacking, you'll unlock time for what truly matters: cherished moments with aging parents or young children, pursuing passions instead of just surviving.

I know millions of American families grapple with soaring rents in 2025—51.8% of U.S. renters were cost-burdened in 2023, with 26.4% severely burdened, spending more than half their income on housing. Rents have climbed over 30% nationwide since the pandemic, with median gross rent hitting $1,487 in recent data. They're caught in survival mode, not thriving. While most follow the crowd, living paycheck to paycheck, this book calls to the trailblazers—who believe there's a better American dream, one where you don't just work to pay bills.

It's for those declaring "enough is enough," owning that life is in your hands, not dictated by government or economy. For visionaries who know not every star needs alignment, not every light green, to take that first bold step. For makers of destiny, not waiters for fate. If you're primed to earn greatness, vibrant health, and lasting wealth through grit and action—like I did from humble beginnings—dive in with me. Your path to financial freedom, comfort, and legacy awaits. No excuses, just extraordinary results.