Advice for a Rookie

[Karen Dominguez]

I need advice on my current situation. Hello everyone my name is Karen, I am 34 years old and from Miami, FL. Currently, I am working as a health insurance claims processor for the last 2 months, and was previously working as a customer service agent for the same company. Since, my promotion I have become a quick learner and have become the processor who closes the most tickets on my team with no errors.

Aside from working my 9-5, I have gotten my Notary Commission, filed an LLC, started officiating weddings, and also taken on general notary work and once I make back some momey on my $1,000 investment on my new business I plan on specializing in becoming a Notary Signing Agent.

However, I was previously married and got divorced in 2023. Not to get into too much detail, my ex husband had become abusive towards me and manipulated me into helping him pay his bills monthly, and also drained out an account we had together just to pay the monthly bills.

I didn’t want to have a long divorce battle and neither did he. We had no assets or savings at the time so we filed for a Simplified Divorce.

I have been able to pay off all of my credit card debt, paid off my car, and only have to pay back the bank for that one account, along with one more open account which I plan to pay both off by next month.

I am also engaged to be married to a much better and responsible man. I am currently living with him in a house he owns. However, he has the responsibility of taking care of his two elderly parents and he has his brother living in his property as well.

One of my biggest goals before getting remarried is to buy a home under my name. I would prefer to buy a Duplex or Triplex around the Broward County/Palm Beach County area. That way I could live in one unit and rent the other(s).

However, most multi families in those areas have sold around $440,00-$800,000.

I also make $45,000 a year from my 9-5 and do not have a tax return history for my business since I am just starting out.

I do not know how I could manage to be able to afford these propertys and am looking on guidance on how I should work towards my goals. I appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you in advance.

-Karen