The Very Best Things in Life Are DEBT FREE!
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No More Mondays And Why Everyday Is Friday Now
Hello everyone! Happy Monday! I am going to share some news with you today that I am excited about. We have made a pretty bold, but confident decision that involves my employment.
You could say it all started with two books, but really it started at the time I started working. We all dream of doing what we want to do as opposed to what we feel we have to in order to survive financially, but actually doing it is a completely different story. The books that encouraged me to eventually take the plunge was No More Mondays
Dan has a special way of getting you to understand that you do not have to continue saying the popular mantras “Thank God it’s Friday”, and “Oh no it’s Monday.” The point of his books are to get you thinking about working in your passion so that work is not like work at all. If you are doing what you love, what is retirement? If you have not read either of those books I highly recommend that you go to your library and check them out.
Behind The Scenes
In 2008, when I first read 48 Days To The Work You Love, it opened my eyes to something different. At the time I was in school working to become an appraiser. I hadn’t picked that career because I loved it so much, although I am not saying it would of been a bad job—I picked it because it was stable and had good income potential. (Imagine for a second how busy any appraiser has been over the last few years.) It’s stable because even in a bad market appraisals are still needed. I liked real estate and figured that the stuff I would learn as an appraiser about the value of real estate could help me when the time came to invest in real estate—something I cannot wait to start doing by the way.
So 2008 rolls around. We’re doing our The Total Money Makeover
Dan Miller is the very reason Enemy of Debt came to be. (You can connect with Dan Miller at 48days.com) He told me to get an audience, and that starting a blog, was a very good way to start. He taught me that working the normal 9-5, was not the only way to have a career. He also taught me that I could have multiple income producing jobs to earn money. Now all I needed was time and patience.
The Plan
I created a plan. My plan was fairly simple.
- NEVER borrow money ever again!
- NEVER say “I can’t, but instead say I WILL!!”
- Start Enemy of Debt! I WILL!
- Pay off debt! I WILL!
- Become a Certified Financial Counselor! I WILL!
- Start EOD Financial Coaching! I WILL!
A Plan Near Completion
I am so happy to announce that almost two years later, this plan is starting to see the light of day. As some of you know, I gave notice at the job I’ve had for 4 1/2 years. My last day is February 13th, and although I will miss making that money, I decided to move forward and make that money and then some, working in my passion. REAL debt counseling! I am looking to launch EOD Financial Coaching by summertime. First I need to become certified and decided long ago to attend Dave Ramsey’s program to do so.
I am excited to say I will be attending his April workshop, and at that moment in time—a dream will be realized. Something I never imagined doing before Dan Miller, will suddenly be real. I will have resisted following the normal way to employment, and avoided the chance of hating my career forever.
I will be what I want to be!
I will do what I want to do!
I will love what I choose to do!
I will truly LIVE!
I am pumped! Can you tell?
The Benefits Of A Dream—My Dream
So this conversation happened last week when my wife came up to me and said she wanted to make a suggestion. She quickly suggested that I quit working at Papa Johns and just stay home. This floored me at first, and quite honestly my self-esteem flew to an all-time low, as did my dignity. My wife instructed me to quit the macho stuff, and listen to why we would benefit. The following benefits are what she so beautifully noted.
I will now be a stay-at-home Dad. That’s right, I get to spend every possible moment enjoying my beautiful children. As time consuming as that will be, I cherish the opportunity. I already cook, but will now take on full responsibility of cleaning our house so my wife doesn’t have to. (Psst, Alana really likes that part.)
I will be able to focus more intensely on school. To be honest I am back and forth on what I want to get still, but I want a degree to say the least. One minute it’s a Bachelor’s in Finance, and the next it’s Psychology. Both are helpful but I think I fit in to the psychology side of things a little better. Besides, 80% of your ability to manage your money is your behavior, while only 20% is head knowledge. I think a degree in Psychology will help me become much more motivational in my efforts here.
I will be able to give Enemy of Debt more attention, so that I may focus on growing the debt free community around me. I love all of you and so I want to love more of you. Spread the word. Enemy of Debt will be THE place to go in 2010 to stay motivated and learn the fine art of debt elimination through responsibility.
I will be able to work on, and build my other blog Logos4You.net. Where I create logos, banners, etc. for websites and blogs. It needs lots of attention.
I will be able to hold more Financial Peace University workshops, and devote more of my time to the public speaking part of leadership and motivation. I plan to master this skill, which is why I have said yes to every scary speaking engagement that I have been asked to do. As some of you know I recently was asked to guest lecture to the class “The Psychology of Money and Wealth.” I have since been asked to do it every semester as a paid guest. It pays off to step outside of your comfort zone.
I will be able to attend Dave Ramsey’s Certified Counselor Training 9 months early. The original plan was to wait until we had our Emergency Fund fully funded before doing this, but ironically I got an email a few days after our big discussion letting me know that FPU Coordinators will be able to get a HUGE discount on the cost of counselor training. Was it a sign? Who knows, but I am jumping all over it!
I will be able to launch EOD Financial Coaching! This is the biggie for me, because this is my baby! This is what I breathe, eat, sweat, sleep, and embrace completely! An accomplishment like this coming from a former pessimist is awesome! I didn’t used to believe, so I didn’t achieve. As soon as I started to believe, things started to change. Which is another reason I am convinced psychology will be the degree I ultimately go for, but hey, what’s stopping me from eventually doing both? Only myself right? That’s what I have learned.
Debt Freedom Gave Me The Ability To Capitalize On Opportunity
I have said many times that debt freedom gives you opportunities. The thing is that you always have the same opportunities but when you have debt you do not always have the chance to take advantage of them. They’re always there, but debt steals hope and robs you of your potential.
If we still had debt:
- I would not have been able to take an entire 5 weeks off unpaid.
- I would not have been able to quit my job.
- I would not have been able to raise my kids full-time. (not fans of daycare)
- I would not have been able to give $150 to one of you for Christmas.
More choices are available to me now that I have no debt. Become debt free and realize your potential!
Do what YOU love, and find out why life really is what YOU make it!
If you liked this post do not miss my post on Wednesday. I will talk more specifically about debt freedom and lifestyle design and how they make a great team!
60 Responses to “No More Mondays And Why Everyday Is Friday Now”
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[...] the the most popular day of the week right? When we reach Friday we know we have the weekend to do WHATEVER WE WANT. It’s almost our purpose for the entire week. (ZOMBIE-LIKE) “Make it to [...]
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[...] from Enemy of Debt has No More Mondays. Yep he’s taken the [...]
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[...] Enemy of Debt: No More Mondays and Why Every Day is Friday Now [...]
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[...] that it wouldn’t feel like work at all. So that’s what I have decided to do. I recently quit my job after realizing two years ago that I wanted to do something [...]
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[...] definitely prefer to be self-employed, and am working very hard to reach that goal. I hope to be launching EOD Financial Coaching in May [...]
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[...] If you are one of the many, that hate your job, start brainstorming now! If money was no object, what would you do? Next figure out how you are going to make it happen. I did, and my plan is unfolding nicely. [...]
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[...] That’s it from me today! I will be spending the day with my family! Have a great Monday! [...]
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I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU! AND I NEVER USE ALL CAPS SO I AM REALLY SERIOUS!!!
I look for “48 days” at my library just the other day, but it was checked out. (Good sign.) I am thinking of my husband, who will retire from the military in a few years. He is not a huge reader of books, though he can read online all night long… Would you absolutely recommend both of them for someone who is looking to start a new career in their early 40s? He is deployed right now, so I was thinking of ordering them for him through Amazon… His internet is sketchy where he’s at so maybe he’ll take the time to read a whole book out of desperation.
Good luck on all your new ventures! It’s going to be so much fun to follow you along!
Haha! Thank you VERY much! 48 days made the largest impact on me because the idea was very new to me but I liked No More Mondays the best. If you get him either you can’t go wrong. If he doesn’t like to read much see if they have the audio book. Also it might be helpful for you to introduce him to 48days.com. There he can read Dan’s blog, as well as listen to his weekly podcasts, since you said he likes reading on the web. I have yet to listen to a single podcast without taking something away from it that helped me extremely. The website may even motivate him to read the books!
Hey, thanks! Didn’t think to look for a site so I’ll check that out!
Wow Brad, the excitement is poring through your words, you’re making me want to get up and do something!
I think I need to get that book. I’ve heard or read those concepts before, but having them in one book would really help develop focus.
Hope you’ll keep us posted on your progress, that’ll be stimulated blog fodder by itself
It’s funny you say that Kevin, because when I started telling people about “Monday’s post” I was wondering how in the world could I make it motivational. Then it hit me—-how could I not? I wanted to make it less about our decision, and more about how we came to be able to make the decision. Debt freedom is so awesome! Debt freedom = Empowerment!
I will definitely keep you posted trust me!
Awesome, my friend! I have been waiting for you to go “all in” and just do this thing!
I know you are going to be successful and change lives for the better. You have been a motivation for me in a lot of ways, and I am already debt-free and know the plan.
Congratulations!
Thanks Dustin! I am excited to be taking the next step in my life adventure! It’s going to be fun!
Congratulations! That is a huge step and I wish you the best of luck with EOD Financial Coaching. It sounds like you have a solid plan in place and the passion and drive to make it happen.
Thank you very much Kyle!!
The best part about starting my business now, is that with the method I am using to become certified as a “for-profit” counselor, I will be an ELP on Dave Ramsey’s site, and there are no ELP’s within 50 miles of me, as of now. It should give me some room for major growth potential in the Dave Ramsey method of debt reduction. Thanks for stopping by man!
Congrats man!!! I am excited for you and think you should definitely do this.
The good thing is you have become financially stable enough to do just this. Without that, you wouldn’t be able to follow your dreams as you obviously know. The hard part for many is trying to figure out what is best for them….the chicken or the egg. In other words do I quit my job now and pursue what I love or pay my debt off and then pursue what I love.
This will be something you should chronicle throughout your journey.
Good luck…
David Damron
Thanks a lot David! You’re right which is why I already wrote a post that links debt freedom to lifestyle design. thanks for the support my friend!
Brad, congrats on making the decision a while back to live like no one else so that today you can live like no one else – and pursue your passion. I’m excited for you, and I wish you many blessings along the way.
Thanks Peter, and how in the world did I miss replying to your comment? You said something that is one of the best motivational lines ever. “Live like no one else so later you can live like no one else.” That is such a great line!
I am so excited about the future, but part of me is a little scared. Only naturally right? LOL
Congrats! I wish you luck on your journey!
Thank you!
This is great news! Congrats!
As for your degree – you can pick one as a major and one as a minor, depending on the requirements for the degrees.
I don’t know why I never considered that, thanks you.
This is truly wonderful for you, your wife and family! I know you will never be sorry that you took these steps! Hooray.
Thank you, and I know I’ll never regret it either. It’s going to be awesome!
This is amazing. I am beyond excited for you! Congratulations, my friend. I am so proud of you and inspired. This post was totally worth the wait! ;o)
–Dena
Thank you so much Dena! I am so glad you liked it and were even inspired by it. That is as exciting if you ask me.
Congrats Brad!!!! That is awesome news and very inspirational! I recently made a decision to leave a very comfortable and stable job for self-employment. I am so excited about the opportunities that it will afford me, both financially and personally. I am passionate about health and nutrition and fitness and I hope to be writing a blog post similar to this one in a few years!! My dream is to become a full-time nutritionist/personal trainer/psychologist. I am already a licensed psychologist here in NC where I live. I have been practicing child and adolescent psychology for the past six years. Let me know if you have any questions about psychology as a profession, various schools or programs in graduate study, etc. I would love to help you out.
Thank you so much Shannon! I wish you luck in following your dream as well! It sounds to me like you are well on your way. I am naturally drawn to psychology so I am sure I will have plenty of questions for you.
CONGRATS! I hope I’m not too far behind you in a similar dream! Hey, when you’re in Nashville for the Financial Counselor training, drop me a line. I live in Nashville! BTW, I’m so jealous – I want to attend that training SO BAD. And, thanks for the book recommendations. I’m going to have to add those to my reading list!
My husband really wants to be a “manny” (stay at home dad). Maybe if things keep going as planned he’ll have that opportunity! Again, congrats and good luck!
Whoo Hoo! Great job Brad! Very motivational, and an inspirational story! Love it that your wife is so supportive, and you’re really so passionate about the Debt Coaching venture! I can really feel it in your writing!
Best of luck in your new endeavor(s) — congrats on moving toward doing what you love!
Thank you RDS! I am looking forward to it. LD
Congratulations Brad; As someone who is now debt free and taking some time off to discover ‘what I want to do with my life’ I applaud you. Very good luck.
Being debt free really opens everything up!
Super Duper Cool Brad,
I’m excited that you will be working toward becoming a Dave Ramsey certified financial planner. It was a Ramsey ELP financial planner that helped me to “Wake-up” and drink the kool-aid. I can’t begin to express how much you will be able to change people’s lives. With your passion and charisma I believe there will be no limit to your business. I am a little sad though, I’ve just lost a Pizza Delivery Brother
Not to worry though, in the next two years I’ll be taking the plunge as well. I have one last question for you Brad. Are you going to make an EOD apron that you can wear while cooking dinner?
Best of luck my Friend!!!!
LOL, thanks Jeff! If it makes you feel any better I will be delivering occasionally. I asked to be left in the system so that I could help out if they were ever short staffed.
Thanks for the good wishes my friend!
This is great Brad and your words are the very exact reason why getting out of debt is so important!! I am so happy for you and wow @ all those things you get to do!!!!
keep realizing your dreams!!
you just motivated my next blog post lol.
Thank you so much Mikki! Wooo hooo!! (Remember when I first started commenting on the FPU forums? Seems like it was yesterday. LOL)
motivated my next blog post lol.
That’s awesome man. So much of the financial planning disciplines focus on the high income earners. Although some of them will need your help too, I’m glad to hear you will be open to help people from all walks of life. Congrats. I love your passion.
Thanks Aaron! It will be so awesome to be able to do so, and I feel so blessed.
Congratulations Brad! I am thrilled for you! With your enthusiasm, energy, exuberance, and passion for helping others become debt-free, I have no doubt you will be hugely successful! And, you’re doing it right – getting out of debt first – what a great example and teacher for others!
Sharon
Thank you Sharon! (Actually getting out of debt first was one of Dave Ramsey’s requirements, and I see exactly why.)
It will be nice to do something for a career that I love and enjoy completely! I am thrilled to have made it this far in my journey. It was hard to see the light at first, but boy it really happened.
Brad, that is very cool! And your wife deserves great credit, too!
Your heart has always been in the right place. Tied together with this brillant plan of yours… you will succeed in your dreams. No Doubt! Look forward to the updates.
Enjoy having more fun with your kids!
Absolutely right, my wife is so awesome! She really loves her job as a Nurse so we will both be helping others in our careers. That’s very exciting stuff! My wife is the leg that holds me up. I think we make a great duo!
You being pumped got me pumped!
Will be checking library for Dan Miller books.
Awesome Laurie!
Brad, I am so thrilled to hear that you are succeeding at following your dreams. Way to be weird!!! I have read both books by Dan Miller and agree that they are really motivational but to me, your post was even more motivational as I’ve been “following” you on this journey for a while! Congrats to you and your family!
Tanya
Hey Tanya, thank you so much! I was glad to see your comment. (you were the very first subscriber to EOD)
Also, people are really starting to ask about EOD Deluxe Budget 3.0, so I think I need to get off my butt and get that completed.
I love it! I hope you continue to share your progress with us. I would love to make the jump myself one day.
Congrats.
Hey MD, thanks for stopping by. I will definitely keep everyone posted, and hope you are able to one day make the switch as well.
Congratulations! I didn’t know about FPU Coord discounts..I’ll check in on that. Hats off to you for following your dream.
Yeah Ken, if you are a FPU coordinator you should get an email. There are two workshops where the first 20 get $1,000 off, the next 30 get $500 off, and after that full price.
Good luck!
Brad,
I’m late to the party, but that doesn’t mean the CONGRATS is any less!
It’s awesome you’re pursuing psychology, as I also studied psychology in college.
Great things come to those who make it happen. Best of luck to you and keep in touch!
Hi Brad,
Sorry for the belated congratulations but I just found your site and am VERY impressed with what you’e been doing. Good luck with your plans, you’re an inspiration to everyone.
And kudos for the public speaking gigs, one of the hardest things to do and most rewarding is talking to a large group of people.
I guess I must have been hiding under a rock to miss this post! This is awesome! I love it when visions and actions work together to form tangible results. I am sooooo excited for you. Good luck and I wish you all the best!
Good for you! I LOVED “No More Mondays!” It makes you want to to get right up and start something immediately! I’m currently reading “The 4-Hour Workweek,” by Timothy Ferriss. Have you read it?
You are right about the getting up and wanting to do something right now. LOL I felt that exact urgency for sure. I have not read The Four Hour Workweek, but I definitely plan to—especially now.
The
coolVERY COOL part about this all is that Dan Miller mentioned me and Enemy of Debt on his weekly podcast. I cannot tell you how AWESOME that was. Dan Miller is such a great guy!