| I would like to tell you a true story about a farmer's | | | | of tenants, and for some years had a tenant firmly |
| wife called Marcia, who set a goal for herself and with | | | | installed in the original worker's cottage. |
| a little hard work and the right spirit, has achieved what | | | | She lets no place of abode go to waste: the good |
| many retirees would like... nearly $1,000 per week | | | | caravan gets rented out over the Holidays at $30 per |
| income from rentals - without debt. Plus overseas | | | | night, the little brown cottage is offered for rent when |
| holidays and affording the large farm bills. | | | | it's not in use by relatives, and the little flat adjoining the |
| First of all, how ordinary is Marcia? Well, she doesn't | | | | main house is offered to pilots in training at about 3 |
| know what ROI means, she doesn't deal much with | | | | months a time. There is also a shed which was |
| banks, and she's not a high flyer. She is a farmer's | | | | converted to a simple flatette (walk to shower & toilet) |
| wife in rural New Zealand, she is a saver, and she is a | | | | for pilots who can't get any other accommodation. |
| generous person. She also knows her town has a | | | | And the best part is there is NO debt. While others |
| ready need for budget accommodation. | | | | worry about economic downturns, interest rate rises or |
| Despite becoming close to bankruptcy and dealing with | | | | business failures, Marcia keeps on getting income |
| a barrel-load of money worries owing to her hubby's | | | | week after week from the management of her |
| business debts and spending, she managed to squirrel | | | | growing community. Even the chooks pay for |
| away enough for one Caravan ($8,000 + $2,500 | | | | themselves through sale of their eggs to the local |
| transportation fees) and one relocatable brown | | | | shop. |
| cottage ($10,000 + $2,000 transportation fee). Adding | | | | And I can tell you for sure that this is a true story, |
| to this, over time she instigated additions to their | | | | because.... Marcia is my mother... good on you Mum. |
| growing farm community - giving up a garage and | | | | I hope this story has inspired land owners to reframe |
| building a granny flat on one end of the main house, | | | | any misfortune in farming and look around at the |
| with hubby's labour turned a tin shed into a nice pool | | | | opportunities in your town for providing |
| flat, spruced up the old workers 'bach' and had a run | | | | accommodation or farmstays. |