Hi Evelyn,
Thanks for sharing your personal story with the rest of us. It's not easy telling others about your own life. But you have shown that you are brave enough to ask for help when you need one. So I congratulate you for that.
As far as the specific, to=do plans, it will really depend on a lot of things, like your interest, your skills, what you know, and who you know. Money is often the least important thing on your "resources" but for most it's usually the first thing we think of.
Without knowing really what you have at your disposal, no one can really tell you what you do, or should tell you what to do. I would say the most important thing for you right now is to find a mentor. But do not take this lightly and just find anyone to be your mentor, you really need to take the time to find someone who can and will grow your entrepreneurial abilities.
When I first started out, I found a mentor (from New Zealand). I did not have much money at all, and his rate certainly was not "cheap"!! I know you can also get a mentor who is willing to teach you without charing you money too. So that's why I say it really depends on you. Anyway, I chose to pay this guy because I was living in a foreign country (New Zealand, when I am from Thailand). He has what I needed in terms of experience, knowledge, and networks. He is a somewhat young (mid 30's) and successful real estate investor and developer. I paid him an amount in 5 figures for a year of mentoring. I met up with him every week for the entire year. And I got my first glimpse of success soon after that (within 4 months of starting a mentoring). I bought a really cheap house, literally dirt cheap because many said the house does not worth anything and needs to be buldoze. But my friend and I bought it at a ridiculous price (although we were the worst negotiators in the world, because we felt sorry for the Owner who was almost going bankrupt and paid her a few thousand more when she asked for it even though we already had a signed contract). We turned a wrecked house with 3 bedrooms into a 7 bedder, modern and hip rent by the room accomodation for university students. At the same time that we were "doing up" that old house, I bought myself another house on my own by negotiating for a vendor finance (so I didn't have to approach the bank).
So, I would spend time during the day renovate the old house with my friend and sometime go to school because I was studying for my Master degree. Although I liked to skip classes and learned to think like a businessman and "outsource" some of the assignments but that's another story in itself that I like to share at a dinner party). I would also spend the night diong a minor cosmetic renovation (like painting) on the other house. Long story short, I have 15 income streams form these houses in a short few month.
From then on, I have learned to trade properties without using any of my own money, with no risk. It's called double settlement in NZ/Aus, or double closing here in America (I moved to L.A. 6 months ago). I bought more properties with 100% seller financing, which allows me to take control of the property, increase the rent, and subsequently the value of the property. I could then find a partner who can qualify for a mortgage or on-sell it to another investor for a profit.
Anyway, I am not telling my story to brang about my success because this is nothing compare to many other people. But I am sharing my story to you to let you know that you can start with next to nothing. But you need to find a mentor who can take you to the next level. Before you can do that, you need to find your passion, and understand your strengths.
And when you do make a lot of money from business or investment, you can invest that surplus in more gold and silver coins. Although I may be a bit biased, but I think American real estate is a much better investment than gold or silver coins just because I know real estate can also hedge against inflationary risk. But the difference is, coins cost money to hold, but my real estate gives me money while holding on. If you are inetested in learning more about American real estate, please feel free to email me at chayot@property4prosperity.com
There are some great opportunities in American real estate that I believe are deals of the decade (which is truer than most realize because 2002-2010 is pretty much a "lost decade" for American real estate). And these deals only cost around 40-50,000 US Dollars, so they are very affordable. Even more so when you buy them with your Aussie dolllar
Best of luck with your journey!
To Financial Freedom,
Chayot Ing-aram
International Real Estate Professional
http://www.Property4Prosperity.com
PS If you like what I write here, be sure to sign up for my newsletter by giong to my website at Property4Prosperity.com