It's not what you make...it's what you keep

I was in direct sales for nearly 10 years. I sold Longaberger products. It's interesting because I never considered myself a "basket" person, but many years ago a good friend starting selling the products to earn extra money and asked me to do a show for her, so I did. Anyway, when I first saw the baskets, I thought they were absolutey beautiful. They were (and still are) so well made. They're made in the USA, which kind of gives me a feeling of pride. I think I bought 10 baskets at that show I hosted for my friend, and I was very proud. If you know anything about the product, you know it is very, very expensive.

I enjoyed selling the baskets. I sold lots of them over the years. I was a top seller, so I earned many of them for free. I was an independent contractor, which meant I was self employed. That's something that I have learned to appreciate since I've become an employee once again. One of my goals is to be self-employed again.

Although I was considered a business owner. I wasn't really a "business" owner. I was a successful consultant. My sales exceeded $100,000. My business made money, but nearly every dollar I made I bought more product rather than setting a percentage aside for savings, investments, and the extremely important emergency fund. I remember the region advisor telling us at a meeting that she knew of a consultant who sold her samples when the promotions were over and kept the money. At the time I thought, "Why would anyone do that?"

Well, one night I was on my way to do a show. I was listening to Suze Orman on my way. She talked about looking around my home to find wealth. And then it hit me. The baskets!!!!! There's my wealth. So I started selling them. I held open houses. I listed them on e-bay. I would have them filled and donated them to charitable organizations. I truly believe that I made tens of thousands of dollars selling off my collection. But where is the money? What did I do with the money? Did I keep the money? I don't have the money. I spent it. With the exception of the last $1,000, I have no idea what I purchased with that money.

I was making money, but I wasn't keeping it.