The Beginning.
For 9 months we have written on Steemit.com on a daily basis blogging about our life here in Panama, Entrepreneurship and of course Crypto Currencies. When we joined Steemit the initial euphoria was already on a down swing but we knew this platform was a game changer. So we committed to it 100%!
In September 2016, @Ned and the team were looking to hire someone to manage social media. We have been helping companies with their social presence for 5 years so we jumped at that chance. Within a week we were up and running. Then we packed our bags for SteemFest in November 2016 and made some great friends within the community.
The Struggle.
Through December to March of 2017 Steemit went through many changes. Our community was in upheaval and the Steem currency reached a low point. I told @AnaHilarski that it was the time to double down because this time would pass. @Exyle and I had a conversation in Amsterdam that helped me make this decision. We came to the conclusion that once the initial 13 weeks power downs completed in March that the price of Steem would start to trend up.
Steemit Ascending!
March came and the price of Steem doubled! @DollarVigilante called me and congratulated me for being right about the price prediction. He made a video about what was happening and told the TDV community it was time to buy Steem. Then we all know what has happened since then.
We Began Our Power Down and Took Some Profits.
A little over a month ago @AnaHilarski and I began our first Power Down after 100% Power Up posts since it became an option. It was time to buy a vehicle. So we decided to buy a VW Tiguan. I am a Master VW salesman and sold hundreds of VW's in my years working in car sales in Tampa FL. and Rochester, NY. The Tiguan is built in Germany which gives me confidence. Even though I really wanted a VW GTI again, I knew we needed something a little more responsible. The Tiguan has the same 2.0 TSI engine and has some serious get up and go.
How We Bought the Vehicle with Steem.
First we took our Power Down Steem and sold it for Bitcoin. We transferred the Bitcoin to a Wirex Bitcoin Mastercard debit card and then paid for the vehicle. The whole process was rather simple. The hardest part was writing everyday on Steemit for 9 months.
We Want to Say Thank You to @Ned, @Dan, @Steemit and the Community for Making This Possible.
WOW A CAR !! I thought I was doing good when I purchased A new Chromebook ! Way to go you guys ! Upped and resteemed !! Keep up the great work and earn some of that steem back!! Heres a more recent post link about cashing in steem and the laptop / tablet I purchased with steem if you want to check it out ! Any up votes are greatly appreciated ! Thanks !
https://steemit.com/steem/@karenmckersie/how-i-successfully-transfered-1200-steem-into-usd2160-00-yippee
It is happening Karen. We are part of something that is huuuuuge!
Its awesome ! I sure wished I made as much money as you did though !! Way to go im so happy for you , I have never owned a new car in my life , awesomeness !! Hope you get a chance to check out my post , thanks again ! 👍👍👍
I never powered down. It's like a savings account I never had 🙈 Or never kept 😜
I couldn't buy a car but I will for sure use it to go visit steemfest again. Did I actually meet you there? @hilarski ?
cheers ...I have a hunch how you've managed to do this
having seen and read some of what you write
it's your $$$ or should I write Steem thermostat
it's set on high I could tell :)
Awesome @karenmckersi, very inspiring! Thank you both for sharing.
I need to get to work writing now!
Your welcome ! Steem on ! 👍👍👍
This is awesome!
Thank you Eric!! I think we found something that could change the world.
You're welcome! I certainly feel the same Steem has changed my life and the lives of so many others. I've always wanted a GTI! I've been fascinated by VW's since the Beetle in the 70's. Enjoy the new vehicle!
My last GTI was when I lived in Italy. 1998 GTI VR6. I was able to fly down the autostrada everywhere I went at the rev limited 128 MPH. I got the insanity out of my system. ; )
That would've been so much fun. Those are great memories to have @hilarski. The closest I came to owning a VW was a late 60's Karmann Ghia convertible when I was in my early twenties. My dad talked me out of buying it though.
Oh Man, that is no fun!
This is awesome! Happy your hard work is showing through for you guys. I am stoked to be a part of this and see all of the positive happenings for everyone here.
Rock N Roll . Sweet for sharing
Congratulations @hilarski!
Your post was mentioned in my hit parade in the following categories:
Good for you. Enjoy :-)
this is the dream i hope to see come true for many on here. I just heard one user is using his profits to build a house for his family. amazing
Congrats! That is really a big achievement. I bet your the first person to ever buy a car from posting content on a blockchain ;)
Oh Snap, I bet you are right!
YOU ROCK!
That's awesome! I'm also saving up for a car, but have decided to go full out with Steemit. Might as well work towards having as much Power as possible :) How much was the VW?
Good luck with your journey. You can do it also. I did not want to disclose exactly how much we paid for the vehicle. Every country is different.
Right, VW's can vary in price by a couple thousand sometimes just by the country. Would it cost less or more over there, since you're living abroad? (As in, compared to the USA) Do a lot of people drive VW? Here in Poland, I've noticed it's more of a luxury car compared to the US where you can come in and it's quite popular to do the "Sign, then drive!" with $0 down. I actually started looking into Passats and Golfs, very comfortable cars, especially for those first starting to look into the normal passenger vehicles
VW is in the top 10 in Panama. I only buy German made now that I had the chance to sell them for so many years. I love the Amarok pickup but it is built in Brazil so I am not interested.
My 2006 VW Jetta was not Made in Germany and instead was Made in Mexico so perhaps it is cheaper than in the US where VW means a cheaper Audi. Damn that 2.5L and its computer! Should have got the TDI or 2.0TSI!
Yes, not a big fan of the 2.5l. The TDI is amazing but we don't have clean diesel in Panama.
I don't think VW especially has clean diesel anywhere hahaha. #dieselgate And actually it isn't even my enginr its the transmission. That 6-Speed Sportronic had to be replaced at 47k. Now I only use D to drive around and S when I have to merge quickly. Always Mobil 1 Synthetic just because I have to baby it from now to eternity although I drive it hardly at all these days. Humvee and work is only 8 miles down the road. Perfect for my 24 speed road 🚴🏼
Way to go @hilarski! You should have gotten a GTI! Life is too short to not drive bad ass cars! Although the Tiguan is still pretty cool.
As a former GTI owner I know what I am missing but @AnaHilarski wanted something with utility. At least it has the 2.0t engine.
@hilarski & @anahilarski Congrats on Your New car !!
UpVoted, Followed 2 days ago & Resteemed. Thanks 4 Posting !!
I'm 11 days new & learning something new everyday...
Have a Great Weekend with Your new VW !!
Awesome!
Congrats! Really deserved.
Always you and your wife post quality content in Steemit, i always enjoy read it.
Steem On!
We are trying @Jocra consistency pays off.
Cool Car, More cool is that you bought it with steem earned here.
Well done, that's amazing; let's hope things go the way we all want it too with steem. A truly inspirational post, thanks for sharing....
That is an awesome accomplishment. Congrats and Steem-on.
Congrats. Really well done. Chrystal clear resteemed :-)
Thank you @Lichtbrick I am thrilled to make this journey with you.
Likewise brother. I am glad that we make this life changing experience together :-)
Congratulations to you
Resteemed ;)
Get post and happy for you two. How does one get a Bitcoin MasterCard Debt Card? Thanks and upvoted.
Here you go, they just changed to a Visa but it still works the same. Wirex
Thanks I just got the app and set it up. Thanks for your time. DR
Wow.Congratulations. thanks for sharing as this information is very motivational for steemers like me.
Awesome. My goal is to buy a car with Steem profits within a years time.
Congrats. You earned it.
Congratulations Hilarski for your new car! Next stop? Chopper for sure!! ;)
Congratulations! Upvote and Resteemed!
Thank you so much!
This is just freaking awesome @hilarski! You and @anahilarski work so hard at what you guys do and I'm genuinely happy to see you two able to buy such a sweet ride, even if it's a bit more responsible ;)
Keep up all the awesome work that you do with all the great information you share with the community in and out of Steemit :)
Thanks @sandstorm It pays when you work hard ;) Cheers
It sure does @anahilarski, you two are proof of that :) I am here humbly following in your footsteps, doing my best everyday in hopes of only reaching a fraction of the success of you guys, and if I do, I will be more than pleased :) Enjoy the new ride!
Congratulations! That is such an achievement! keep up the good work and that will be a Ferrari some day! ;)
Very beautiful =) follow me to help us
Helllll Yeah!!! Sweet wheels! Congrats and keep on Steeming. A house is next!
I CHOSE Tesla as my benchmark purchase, I posted it. Check it out ON my STEEMIT.
PRETTY COOL!!!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Following and RESTEEMED.
STEEM on.
Helping Others To Help (others) 1 By 1.
Man, that is awesome! This gives us little people a lot of hope, hearing stories like this. Keep it up, and thanks for sharing!!
You've kept your goals in mind, you stuck with it even, and especially, in a period of a downward spiral. Those who then hold on and double down reap the rewards. Fantastic, mate. Now, if you really want to spice it up, put a large Steemit venyl on the sides of the car... ;)
Hi Randy, congratulations on your new car! Fantastic achievement! I still have fond memories of that boat ride and I'm very grateful that our gut feeling about Steem paid off. I feel that the steem blockchain will bring many people more possibilities and freedom in the future. It's just an incredible platform that hasn't in my mind shown it's true potential yet. All the best and enjoy that sweet ride!
Thanks Brotha! The next twelve months are going to be amazing in this space and I think Steem could easily be in the top 10 Cryptos by market cap.
This is just so inspiring. I don't post stories everyday but your article made me realize that it will really help to post everyday. Thank you.
this was very inspiring
wonders what this platform can do for many! amazing
Hi @hilarski, this is fantastic. (I am also a VW fan)
#HighFive, Love my VW's!
great...rs and upvote for u....
i believe, because i will do the same thing, now still learn how to build a good blog so my post become a trending topic..
Good eye in not letting the price crush you.
cogratulations may I be able to do this same thing I have been brain storming on how to get to this point now I know it's possible
ok :)) I must then photography every day :)
This is an awesome breakthrough! Keep the moementum going @Steemit
Well Done! Your hard work and dedication is paying off.
Very inspirational post. As of now these are the only wheels I could buy with my Steem, but hoping one day to follow in you footsteps!
Awesome, it is always encouraging to read success stories like this!
Hope many others will follow in your footsteps.
Peace on Earth Goodwill to Mankind.
Wow! Congratulations @hilarski
:)