Posted by Anonymous on 12/20/05 8:19pm
Msg #83766

for Newbies and/orSingle Parents

I would like to take the time to address all of the single parents who are just staring out or are thinking about becoming a NSA. I urge you to stop and think about this before committing yourself to this profession. I gave up a full time position at a prestigious law firm to become a full time signing agent This was not a decision that was made overnight, in fact, it took me almost a year to leave my full time job.

For one thing, you do not get a weekly paycheck, and sometimes it is as much as two weeks before I get any checks in the mail. This makes it quite difficult to budget. It also takes a long time before checks start coming in. I know, I personally check the mail every day and pray all the way to the mailbox. I have never been so far behind on little things like phone bills, electric and gas. If I do get a check in the mail, then I am usually left wondering what I can pay out of the $150.00 (example) payment.

I also know that if something were to happen to my printer, I might as well just hang it all up, because I would not have the extra money to get a new one. SOMETIMES I have to turn business down because I do not have enough gas in my car while other times, it is because I do not have enough paper. Although I have two wonderful and understanding children, we no longer shop at the local trendy boutiques, its now Wal-Mart and Old Navy for us.

Also, do not believe it when you are told that you can make $ 60,000 – 100,000 per year with this career, for I have only made $16,000 this year, and I advertise everywhere. Appointments just trickle in, and I am very fortunate to get 2-3 a week. I fell for the N.N.A. – hook, line and sinker.

Each day is a new dilemma. Last month, my car was repossessed and I now rely on using my parent’s vehicles. I am fortunate to have the use of them, but I am 41 years old and have never had to rely on anyone. In addition, this week, I am hoping the electric man does not come knocking on my door looking for payment. It is quite embarrassing.

Now, its Christmas week and I am praying so hard I have checks in the mail this week so I can finish Christmas shopping for my children. In addition, with the impending doom of tax season, I am left with no other option than to try to figure out my taxes on my own because I cannot fit a CPA into my budget.

I am not wishing to discourage anyone from being a NSA, I would just like those to see the ugly side, for I am one step close to applying for food stamps.

God Bless you all and have a very Merry Christmas!

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/20/05 8:42pm
Msg #83767

I can tell that you have spent much thought and time in preparing your post.

Self-employment of any type does not guarantee a *pay check* let alone benefits, i.e., health insurance, vacation, 401K, etc.

I feel sorry for newbies who are just beginning. They are coming in as the ride comes down the other side of the mountain. For those who do not already have a clientele in place, it's going to be a short ride, I feel.

EACH of US should have a Plan B in place -- something to supplement signing income. None of us should put all our eggs in one basket.

As for yourself, if you don't desire to go back to working the a law office full time, I would suggest you either go the temporary route and work a day or a week here and there in different firms. There is a legal secretary shortage -- or possibly, you were a paralegal or other support staff. At any rate, there are temp opportunities. My own secretarial biz I cater to attorneys both on-site and off-site. Being a SA is an add-on to my secretarial biz.

I wish you well, but I encourage you, before you lose everything, to find an additional side line to get some income coming in at a more regular rate. This may even involve making your SA biz your side line.

Reply by Dama on 12/21/05 1:19am
Msg #83805

Re: Carolyn gave good sound advice! n/m

Reply by TitleGalCA on 12/20/05 10:28pm
Msg #83781

God bless you, Anonymous. I feel for you...this must be especially tough, with kids and Christmas time I think you CAN make it as a full time SA, but it takes a great deal of time, from my own research.

Carolyn gave you good advice in her post. I hope things turn around for you, and soon.

Reply by Dama on 12/21/05 1:21am
Msg #83806

Re: I repeat, what STATE is Anon in? n/m

Reply by TCMN on 12/21/05 9:19am
Msg #83834

Well wishes this Christmas and

I hope that things will turn around for you.
Bad things happen to EVERYONE at one point or another in their lives. You need not feel ashamed. There is only one person who can judge you and that is yourself. If you have done everything you humanly can, then you should not feel bad.

You have had good advice given by many here and I hope that you would be willing to give your state and let the ones willing to help you the opportunity to. You do not have to provide your name, the state would work and then should anyone like they could supply their email contact and you could contact them.

I wish people would realize that networking and helping others is where this industry is going to go and it's going to take the NSA's that are professional, dedicated and working together with the relationships they have created to greater heights and to the next level of this business. I hope you would help yourself right now and create some of those realtionships with the others that are offering that to you.

I know you can make $25,000, $50,000, $60,000+ a year doing this. As everyone has said, it takes a lot of work. It also, I believe, takes lots of EXTRA work, "out of the box" ideas and creativity. Whatever your expectations are when you want good service, you need to expect an even higher level.

I started as a single parent and made more than $50,000 my first year. I have since started branching to more things with the knowledge that I collected in doing this. I will soon have something going that I hope is a way for me to give back to this industry and will give NSA's around the country the ability to take their career where they want it to be. But in addition to that give them the ability by learning "how" to do it themselves.

Everyone who has given you responses has offered to help, will you now let them?
I offer my help as well.

Reply by Dama on 12/21/05 5:12pm
Msg #83940

Re: TCMN, plz. help ME too!

I'm DEFINITELY a single parent and OLD and I made LESS THAN $2000 this year (since March) doing signings FULL-TIME! Part of the problem was that ALL SUMMER I had NO CAR, then I lost my computer, etc., etc. I 100% sympathize with the anonymous newbie. Shoot!......if I could CLEAR at least $25,000 in 2006, I'd be happy, and if it's TRULY possible to make even MORE, I'm ALL EARS! Please contact me at [e-mail address]. Thank you!

Reply by B__CA on 12/20/05 10:54pm
Msg #83788

I agree with Carolyn, you put alot of thought into your post. I just wish the NNA would realize what they are doing to people telling them such lies. I know it sounds great and people fall for the hype, and there is no one telling them the real story about what it is like.
Myself, I have a retirement to fall back on, I do not make near what I made in the corporate world. I would suggest to you that you find part time or full time work and do this on the side. When you look toward retirement down the road you will be glad you did.

I hope everything improves for you and your children.

Reply by Bonnie_CO on 12/20/05 11:26pm
Msg #83791

Anon,
This can be a very rough business. Unfortunately the NNA doesn't show this side of it with thier advertising.
My heart goes out to you, I've been where you are now, not as a SA, but due to, shall we say, bad judgement in men(?), I know how rough it can be all through the year, but when it comes to Christmas time, it's a thousand times worse, especially with kids in the picture.
I hope things start looking up for you, and wish for you a Christmas miracle to help you through this tough time.
Hang in there! God Bless you and your children.

Reply by Roger_OH on 12/20/05 11:36pm
Msg #83794

Thanks for your candor; you have provided a realistic look..

at what can result by being sucked in by NNA's "full-time income, part-time effort" mantra. This should be required reading for newbies, right there with post #33325. Best wishes in getting your situation improved.

Reply by Dama on 12/21/05 1:17am
Msg #83804

Re: What STATE are YOU in?! n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/05 9:20am
Msg #83835

Re: What STATE - Dama :

What state are you in?

Reply by NM_CO on 12/21/05 4:55am
Msg #83811

Your State?

I'd also like to know which State you are in? I mainly only have closings in Colorado but here and there I get them for other States too to help out my out of state tc's. Let us know who you are so I can throw some your way. And I pay usually within a week of the closing so lets try to get some money going for you.

How long have you been a SA? What did you do at the law firm where you worked? Have you tried to contact your local tc's yourself? I'm sure you have, just double checking. That's free advertising except probably a $5 gas cost.

Reply by SLP_VA on 12/21/05 5:19am
Msg #83812

Good Luck to You And...

God Bless you and your family Anon. I feel really bad for you.

I myself, have only been doing this for over 6 months full time although, I started out doing it part-time, so I have about 1 year of closings under my belt.

I agree that one should really, really research and do their homework before considering doing this full time. I was able to experience this while working a full time job and when I started receiving so many calls that I had to turn down because of my full time job, this is when I decided to explore the option of becoming a full time SA. And though I have a wonderful husband that supported my decision to do this full time, It was still after much thought, weighing the pros and cons and talking more with my husband before I actually quit my job.

Fortunately, it's been going OK for me (knock on wood). But I guess it also depends on what state you're in and how saturated the area is with SA. I have regular TC and SS that call me too, but like this month, it is slower for me than the previous months. I have still made enough to get by and the bills through February are just about covered.

Like Anon stated, if you are single, you should really consider this. My husband and I had a plan in place that if I didn't do well in this, I would have to get my butt out there in 2 months of quitting my job and find another (or go back to my old job and beg them to take me back). I didn't read about becoming an NSA through NNA as I had been a notary for over 8 years for my job so I'm not sure what the NNA promises. I researched and did my own homework and since I enjoy working face to face with folks, this has been great for me.

I do wish you luck Anon and hope everything works out for you. I hope you and yours have a great Xmas despite this temporary set back.

Good Luck and may you have a prosperous year.

Reply by Mike_IA on 12/21/05 8:28am
Msg #83828

Free online filing for income taxes

You don't need to go to a CPA for your tax return. The Internal Revenue website (www.irs.gov) has links to online websites where you can do your federal income tax return for free and a state return for a small fee (about $10). Be sure to use the link from the irs website otherwise you might have to pay a fee for the federal return. If you have a refund it will be direct deposited into your bank account for free. I have done my own return this way and it's easy and convenient. All the websites ask you a series of questions to determine which forms need to be completed. And usually you can ask questions by email and get a prompt personal reply. A few of the online websites do not know that notary income is exempt from FICA (social security tax) so ask that before entering lots of data. I liked taxengine.

Reply by Elizabeth_CA on 12/21/05 4:26pm
Msg #83935

Re: Free online filing for income taxes

Are you sure it is exempt from FICA - I thought it was exempt from Self-Employment Tax only.

Reply by Mike_IA on 12/21/05 5:03pm
Msg #83938

Re: Free online filing for income taxes

I thought FICA was the abbreviation for social security tax. Don't have time to double check right now. Self employeed people like us pay both the employer and employee portions of social security tax so paying both portions of social security tax is a "self-employed tax". Of course, how much you can claim as exempt notary fees depends on how much your state of residence permits you to charge as a notary. This has been discussed at length in other posts. I was just pointing out that some online services do not have the ability to exempt notary fees from FICA, social security or what self-employed tax whichever you prefer to call it.

Reply by Elizabeth_CA on 12/22/05 5:06pm
Msg #84198

Re: Free online filing for income taxes

Thanks Mike - I learned something new today - I didn't realize that the employer and employee portions of ss tax is "self-employment tax". And FICA is social security tax. I record my signings in MS Access (database) and enter my fees by notary, edocs, travel, etc. and provide the notary $$ to my tax accountant. Thanks again.

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/05 10:04am
Msg #83841

For Original Poster...

Single parent poster:

I want to believe you, so please forgive me if I am wrong:

I do not believe this post in its entirety. I am no fan of the NNA. I have no NSA membership with them at this time.

Here is why I am having a problem with this post...Obviously you are a talented and smart person because you have communicated well in your post.

I cannot believe someone as bright as yourself at age 41 in the prime of your earning life with two children would hold out and try to continue this job of NSA while you get so far behind on bills that your car is repossessed. I would have thought with your excellent legal support staff talents you would have been able to use your entrepreneurial spirit to go into temp work and sustain your business and your household bills.

If there is more to your story, please let us know! Perhaps you just need a little peer to peer assistance.

How long have you been in this?

What state are you in?

I'd be interested to know what you found when you were considering this business and checked into your local property records to find out if the gross amount of loan signings gave you hope that you'd be able to carve out a great income?

If the work is there then you need to let us help you out with our best marketing strategies, etc. My profile can be visited. Click on it and get my email address.

Write me and I'll hook you up with the best I know at NotaryRotary and in our business as I am sure they (like me) would also like to give marketing tips and maybe referrals to help someone and give a little back to the industry.

Do I think you are wrong to warn others? No. I just don't see a clear picture of your financial difficulty from this initial post.

In fact, I totally discourage all new folks from getting into this business right now in Texas. As interest rates go up, your ability to earn will turn downward. There will be less refi packages to do. Reverse mortgages may increase, but in the past it was only after three years, I believe, that the number of them in Texas doubled. Since we cannot easily do HELOCs in Texas, unless you have connections into the title offices and/or legal community you will not have enough work to keep you afloat.

God bless you, Poster, and may you find something of value in your present difficulty.

Reply by CW_PA on 12/21/05 10:38am
Msg #83853

There are several of us on here that are tax professionals. I'm sure most of us would be glad to help you at tax time.

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/21/05 11:02am
Msg #83859

Re: After a nights sleep ...

I've had more time to think about your post, and I'm trying not to be critical, I'm really not, but...

I just don't understand how you let yourself get into the situation you have gotten in -- living every day hand to mouth without finding alternative means to pay the *necessities*, i.e., living expenses - rent/mortgage; car payments; utilities; food, etc. I mean it's one thing to have this dream of being an entrepreneur, but it's another when you can't meet your living expenses. I can only hope that you haven't maxed out your credit cards with cash advances.

Don't get me wrong -- I know about struggling to make ends meet. Growing up our winters were pretty tight because Dad worked construction and with Colorado winters was unable to work, so no money was coming in for 4-5 months of the year. I've eaten more than my fair share of pots of beans. Faced with being a single mother and no child support, I struggled with diapers, formula, child care, etc. The necessities were always paid first. Thank God it never came to it, but I would have worked the streets if need be.

As for Wal-Mart and Old Navy -- just how many clothes do you and your kids need?--and why do they have to be new? There are plenty of second-hand clothing stores, Goodwill, Salvation Army.

Christmas shopping -- people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It's not how many presents are under the tree or how much they cost. Exchange home-made gifts. The signing money you are hoping to get to finish your Christmas shopping would be much better spent to keep a roof over your heads and to keep you from being thrown out on the streets.

As you said, you are 41 years old. Instead of depending on signings to pay the bills, which is not happening and you are only digging yourself deeper and deeper in the hole, you need to find a J-O-B where you will have regular paychecks and do signings on the side. Your credit is ruined. This is a situation you have created by quitting your full-time job -- it's not something that happened beyond your control such as company downsizing.

Again, I'm not saying to stop signings completely, but if anyone needs steady and mundane employment/job security, it's you and your family.

Reply by Dee_Fla on 12/21/05 11:41am
Msg #83869

Although I appreciate your advise, you have to understand that I have NO choice but to work from home. My son who suffers from DMD a life threatening illness in which there are several months of the years he spends in the hospital due to his condition. So this job gives me the chance to work at my own time and pace because having a "real" full time job would not work for me. I would loose my job for all the time off to care for Tim...in which the majority of the time is a 24/7.

I do the best I can with the little we have. We have learned to live without...we've made our sacrifices as it is. We have very little or no support from our family, friends or community. We get a little bit from the government and a little bit from his dad, otherwise we would not survive with the little I make as a CNSA.

Not everyone's situatioin is going to be the same, I do understand that. There are some people who have reasons to take on a job like this while there are others who are risking it all to make it work. Whatever the reason may be, we all take risk, we all live and learn. To many this may be the job for them (a number of reasons doesnt matter why) while to many others it may not be the job for them. However, I don't think we should discourage people for taking a risk when they are willing to take the risk. That is how many live out their dreams (whether this is a dream job or not).

I just htought I throw in my .2cents...if anyone cares.

d

Reply by Dee_Fla on 12/21/05 11:52am
Msg #83878

I should also say that not only do I do this as a job, I care for my son full time and spend most of my time doing alot of advocacy and fundraisings. Its my dedication to my son and somehow save his life, since no one else is willing to help (within family and friends) I can't give up on him cuz they all have. So like i said, we learn to do with what we have, we made our sacrifices, but in the long run, God had blessed us with the little we have...and in my eyes, he has blessed me with this job. I know what it is like to a have auto repocess...but that happened when I lost my job and couldnot find another. But beleive it or not...HE has provided and through that we are getting by.

No we may not have xmas, and what little we will have will be spending time together and go to movies or eat out...watch movies together at home, etc...gifts is not what xmas is all about...a tradition we have learned to accept.

dee

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/21/05 12:09pm
Msg #83882

Re: Dee

**I don't think we should discourage people for taking a risk when they are willing to take the risk. That is how many live out their dreams (whether this is a dream job or not). **

I'm certainly not trying to discourage the original Anon, you or anyone for that matter. Yes, all of our situations are different. In actuality, you do think along my lines -- you know that Christmas isn't the presents under the tree -- something the original Anon hasn't figured out -- she has had her car repossessed and can't pay the electric/gas bill, but she is hoping to finish her Christmas shopping with the signing checks she is hoping on receiving this week.

A risk is one thing -- but you need to put a time limit on the length of the risk from the time you first take the risk -- 2 months, 6 months -- if it's not panning out and you can't pay the required necessities of living, then you have to admit that, yes, you took the risk -- but you have to face reality that the risk isn't worth the *risk* and what it's doing to to you and your family.

Reply by BrendaTx on 12/21/05 12:54pm
Msg #83894

Re: for Newbies and/or Single Parents

I care Dee, and thanks for sharing this info with us. **Not everyone's situatioin is going to be the same, I do understand that. There are some people who have reasons to take on a job like this while there are others who are risking it all to make it work. Whatever the reason may be, we all take risk, we all live and learn. **

You are correct! We ALL do what we have to do. I am not judging this person in my post but just wondering if there are some facts missing that we might be able to help with.

Reply by Deborah Breedlove on 12/21/05 2:04pm
Msg #83907

Newbie, thank you for sharing your story, but too bad the only ones who will read it are those of us who already know how it is. Those who are taken in by the "Get rich quick" ads will not read your story until its too late. But it's not too late for you. Why not cut your losses and go back to the job you had before, or get a similar one? I'm not judging you, and I don't know your entire situation, but from what you've said here, you've given no reason why you couldn't go back to work at a regular job. If I was in your situation, car repossessed, behind on bills, etc, I'd find a job, dream or no dream. You can still do signings on weekends and in the evenings, if you want to keep it going. Fortunately, this isn't my sole source of income, I also have a bookkeeping, payroll and tax business, year round. And even when I started that business, I had to make sure I had sufficient funds to live on for at least a year, because I had no illusions about how much money I would make at first, even with 19 years experience. It took a while, but it's now profitable and worthwhile. But I had no one depending on me, and I had reserves, so I was able to take the risk. IMHO, I believe you could improve your situation by doing something else. I'm sure you're thinking, "I've invested so much money in this business, I can't quit", but you've got to know when to cut your losses and move on, or you'll lose even more.
By the way, as I mentioned I am an experienced tax preparer and an enrolled agent. I'll be glad to assist you in any way I can, and I'm sure others here would too. Also, IRS has a "free-file" program on their website. You can choose a software provider and use their software to prepare and efile your tax return online, free. You still have to do your state return, but those are usually not too difficult (except California, they're a real PITA) And I think the Free-File companies offer state tax preparation too. I don't know what they charge for that. Also, many states allow you to prepare your state return on their website and submit electronically. Best of luck to you.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 12/21/05 5:27pm
Msg #83945

Deborah, my grandmothers birth name is Breedlove.