I swear it was my shrink who told me I needed to shop.

Like many New Yorkers, I have been in therapy for years. I can see long-term that it’s made me a happier, more confident person, and I enjoy having the support during short-term crises — such as switching careers mid-life.

But if you’re picturing that I walk in to see Dr. Melfi once a week and we talk about condos, it’s not that. So I was kind of surprised when my psychiatrist said, “It sounds like you’re enjoying your new career; you will enjoy it more when you start to reap the financial rewards that go with it.”

So this week, the minute I closed a rental deal, I gave myself permission to shop.

If you’ve been with this column from the beginning, you know that the beginning of my real estate career was inglorious, and I ran up a whole pile o’ debt. When money comes in now, it doesn’t go to new things, it goes to hacking away at the credit cards and the second mortgage.

Usually.

I bought a new phone, the Blackberry Pearl. I still don’t know how to make it do everything it can do, but I love it. It’s faster than my old phone, and brighter and sounds better.

There had been a point where I considered an iPhone — until I tested one. The touch screen works on heat transfer, which means it’s insensitive to stylus taps — or fingernail taps. I am not Barbra Streisand, but I ain’t cutting my nails for Steve Jobs.

And then, since I had a new phone, I obviously needed a new tote bag to put it in. Bags are hard because Tribeca moms, my preferred clients, have no trouble spending $2,000 a season to have the right bag, and I just can’t keep up. But a knockoff seemed like the worst of both worlds, and, what’s more, most decently stylish, mid-range bags are monstrously heavy.

I ended up going with a Japanese nylon number. It doesn’t quite match the classic profile I am striving for with the rest of my brand, but it has a million little pockets for gadgets, so the new phone has its place and my laser measurer has its place and keys I am using to show have a third place. So at least it’s cutting edge.

And you know what, after spending six hundred bucks on myself I felt better. Markedly better.

So when I went to meet my newest potential client, it was with a song in my heart. I was Cher in “Clueless,” the hip girl who had just been to the mall and got all decked out.

Whether I made my own luck or not I cannot say, but the new client and I got along like a house on fire. He’s a Wall Street guy — a blessed switch after a run of picky lawyers — and he trusts my eye and my judgment. I came across as blithe and laid-back, which are not traits anyone would usually associate with me, but I was so elated by my new toys.

Now this client had already seen one property without me, and if he buys that I don’t know if I’ll get paid, but there are three or four other things worth seeing so I have a 75-80 percent shot. His budget is decent so I’d be looking at a five-figure commission. And, unlike my recent clients who had been taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R, I bet we’ll get this one wrapped up in three months.

And then I can really start to pay off some credit card bills.

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×