29/04/2025
Stumbled on this post and felt every word. 💻😭 As a fellow VA, I know how one decision—like buying that first laptop—can change everything. We all start somewhere, and sometimes that ‘somewhere’ is rock bottom. Sharing this because it’s real, inspiring, and so close to home. 💪
THE SECOND-HAND LAPTOP THAT SAVED ME FROM MILLIONS OF DEBT
I took this photo on January 7, 2022– the day I received it straight from LBC.
Storytime:
The pandemic turned our lives upside down.
Our once-thriving business was collapsing right before our eyes.
Savings were wiped out. Properties were sold.
Bank loans, car and housing loans, and credit cards were unpaid.
I remember staring at my bank account with just ₱26,000 left and thinking,
“Paano na?”
“Ano na’ng gagawin namin?”
I felt like my world was crashing.
I had hit rock bottom.
Until I made a decision. I was going to become a VA.
I took the risk and used ₱21,300 of what was left in our savings to buy a second-hand laptop online and start my freelancing journey.
Walang kasiguraduhan kung makaka-client ba ako. Bahala na.
I even remember my husband mumbling,
“Hays, nipalit nakag laptop, wala pa man kay client. Ibayad nalang nato na sa sakyanan.”😑
I just shrugged it off. I understand he was completely clueless back then of how freelancing works.
That laptop had the bare minimum specs.
But it was enough to get me started.
Enough to learn.
Enough to start applying.
Enough to believe that maybe, just maybe–this could work.
And it did.
I hustled hard. I landed clients.
I pulled all-nighters. I took on more clients.
I grew and thrived.
Definitely not an easy road to take but quitting was never an option back then. Nope.
My bills are bigger than my fears! 😂 Literally.
That second-hand laptop didn’t just help me earn. It gave me a way out.
-We’re no longer buried in debt I once thought would take forever to pay off
- I’ve built solid savings and an emergency fund for the family
- I paid off our dream car and mortgaged house and lot
- And I’m now in the process of buying back the lot property we once hopelessly sold
Also yes, I’ve finally retired that laptop now😅
All these and more because of freelancing.
Sometimes, the breakthrough we need doesn’t come with guarantees. Just a little courage, a whole lot of faith, and the strong will to START.
Kayo, ano ang kwentong second-hand laptop nyo? 😁