Dear Next Generation: You Can Do Anything You Put Your Mind To

Dear Next Generation: You Can Do Anything You Put Your Mind To
Constantina “CK” Kortopattis spent a year saving for her dream car, a 1966 red Ford Mustang. Biba Kayewich
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I want to offer to young people that they can do anything they put their minds to do; happiness and success are very personal and individual.

When I was 11, we moved from the city in California to rural Idaho. So when I wanted to go to a friend’s, I would complain to my dad. He would say, “You'll figure it out.” So I either biked two miles each way or in winter I ran. This was not easy and at times, it did not seem safe, but later, I would do the same to get to school if I didn’t want to take the bus and its inconvenient schedule.

When I got into my first apartment, I lived four miles from college and two from work. Owning a car was out of the question, so I ran or biked. In six months, I moved closer and paid the higher rent. It took my first year to save for a car; I was 18. I bought my dream car, a 1966 red Ford Mustang. I also realized it was going to take a little longer to graduate since I worked two jobs.

Constantina “CK” Kortopattis spent a year saving for her dream car, a 1966 red Ford Mustang. (Biba Kayewich)
Constantina “CK” Kortopattis spent a year saving for her dream car, a 1966 red Ford Mustang. Biba Kayewich

When it occurred to me that life would be happier if I owned a home, I had no idea that a single lady could qualify so I did the legwork necessary to buy one at auction, in a desirable area. Again, I had to work two jobs to pull this off. My peers at work seemed to have an easier time in life; they had time to socialize but I noticed a lot of them lived at home still. I got married to a nice, conservative man. After I paid that home off, he was hesitant when I told him I wanted to pay cash for rentals. I had no idea how to do this, but I inherently realized I would figure it out so he supported my dream.

J.R. Simplot was my hero. I remember him saying, “My advice to young people is to grab a piece of the action.” I still considered myself young (34) so I took that leap.

Several years passed. I realized I wanted to try my hand at the stock market and offering real estate notes. Then, we’re in a deep recession in 2006. Things flatlined for a very long time, but I kept investing and working two jobs.

As I planned my next great thing, I would meet up with the investment advisor at work for my annual meeting. One day he said, “You know, I travel throughout the state and help people with their retirements. No one is getting the rate of return that you are (16 percent). Do you mind if I ask you how you are doing that?” Can you imagine him (a background in finance) asking me (a civil servant) that question? I didn’t walk out of that meeting, I levitated. One year later, at age 54, I retired and on to my next great thing.

Constantina “CK” Kortopattis, Boise, Idaho

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What advice would you like to give to the younger generations?
We call on all of our readers to share the timeless values that define right and wrong and pass the torch, if you will, through your wisdom and hard-earned experience. We feel that the passing down of this wisdom has diminished over time and that only with a strong moral foundation can future generations thrive.
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