When Money Makes Itself

Idaho is a gorgeous state! I live in the backyard of the Teton Mountain Range and Yellowstone National Park, and I love going to the hills. Hiking through groves of pines and quaking aspens in the mountains near my home is one of my biggest pleasures. This summer, I was preparing for one such hike with my kids and some of their friends, and I found myself in need of llamas. That may seem strange to some, but llamas are great pack animals, and I happen to live just down the road from a llama outfitter. So, I borrowed a horse trailer from my father-in-law, rented a couple llamas for the day, and we were off.

The place we were hiking that day is a place that I’m familiar with, but it never ceases to amaze me with its beauty. We were walking through a stand of trees that opens out to a meadow right in the saddle of a mountain. For those who may be unfamiliar with the term, a saddle is a low place where two peaks come together, forming a shape similar to a saddle that you would put on a horse. Walking out of those trees into the saddle, I was struck by how gorgeous this place was. At the same time, the thought occurred to me that I was being paid to be there. Imagine that!

Now, was I really being paid to be there? No. But even though I was doing no appraisal work at that time, there was plenty of work being done in my office. I was off in the woods with my family, yet I was still making money. My business has been set up in such a way that it can run just fine without me for a little while. The other great thing was that I didn’t think twice about renting a couple llamas. They weren’t cheap, nor were they overly expensive, but I didn’t have to wonder if I could really afford them. I just went out and rented them. This is the kind of liberty that is possible if we set up our companies the right way, and I’m here to help you do just that! 

For more information on this subject, please download and listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode: 

7 thoughts on “When Money Makes Itself”

  1. Pingback: When Money Makes Itself - Appraisal Buzz

  2. Jo Appraisers Mother

    Oh Joe you silly boy. I thought I taught you better to play nicer with others. Do you really have nothing better to do than to pick on poor Dustin. Well at least you read the whole thing and probably thought to yourself I wish I was able to do that with my business but I cant Im too busy tearing people down. You dont even have the guts to say your real name. Way to go trolls. At least Brent Johnson puts his name out there even if he has nothing good to say. Hey trolls get a life and a real business.

  3. Susan Louisignau

    I’m not sure what this above is all about but I believe that the short article on having a business was good. For about a dozen years or so I had a couple of appraisers and an office manager……. this is back in the late 80s – 90s. My goal was to have time. I did make less money but had time to raise our family — do lots of fun things. I live in western MA and appraise one county there, one in VT and one in NH where the three states meet. Our daughter turned out to have severe Bipolar disorder…… I was once a Dir of Special Ed and actually had some experience with mental health. By having others I was able to attend many, many meetings at hospitals, programs etc…. that I would not have been able to do.
    I had the time. There is never a price for that. I don’t know of another profession where I would have had that kind of flexibility. I’m semi-retired now but still do some. I will put in a plug for VT — We need appraisers…..
    I ski, ride and often will ski in the morning and then do an appraisal in the afternoon……. not bad. It’s a beautiful area.
    So there are advantages if you can do this. Don’t discount what was written…….. this can work for many people for different reasons……..
    Sue Louisignau

  4. I’m shocked to hear that with your stable of followers that no all star volunteered to carry your gear. Additionally, I’m surprised those same all stars don’t carry you around like the savior king you often project to be.

    Either way, keep outsourcing to the Philippines instead of paying a fair wage to an eager American and have fun on your hikes.

    Seek the truth.

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