What I do know is, that belief is so completely wrong and misguided, that to believe it is like believing that the sky isn’t blue. The truth is you have within you the strength and the courage to win financially. The only thing standing in your way is your behavior, and your debt!

DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!

I hope the title got your blood pumping enough to want to give me a piece of your mind!! I have had this in mind for quite some time, so I think I have waited long enough. I want to introduce a way for you to share your thoughts about anything financially related. A few months ago I acquired a phone number for a new service called Google Voice. Google Voice ROCKS! So the first thing I did was pick a number.

I didn’t get exactly the number I was looking for but the one I ended up choosing was close enough.

The number is: 484-483-3282 OR (484-H8-DEBT-2)

I would like to use it as a way for YOU to share your thoughts with me about finance, or more specifically about debt. You can leave a voice mail comment about a recent post, you can ask a question, share a resource…it’s really up to you. If it’s about personal finance, anything is fair game! Google voice has many features and some people use it as an extra line which is transferred to their cell phone. However, I will only be using it as a voice mail system. No one will answer and your call will never be broadcast on this blog. Your voice mail will be between you and I, but I may choose to use your call as inspiration for a post, but even then, your privacy will ALWAYS be respected!

I want to give you yet another way to engage Enemy of Debt. If you want me to write about a specific topic, call me! If you want to tell me how awesome or inspiring a post was, call me! If you want to share your debt free story, by all means, CALL ME! You can even call me if you want to tell me how much you disliked something. You can’t hurt my feelings, and chances are what’s on your mind could help me improve your experience here on Enemy of Debt. I believe candor is the key to improvement, which is why I am not afraid to tell you exactly what’s on my mind, no matter how politically incorrect, or seemingly harsh it might be. I’m not afraid to hurt your feelings so don’t be afraid to hurt mine!

Let’s Get This Party Started Right!

The truth is I wish I could give every person that called $100 for proclaiming their hatred for debt, but I can’t…NOT YET!

Here’s what I want to do though. It’s teeny, tiny, but it’s something. For every person that calls and simply rants about why they hate debt, I will send you a free IH8 DEBT bumper sticker! Put it on your beater, on a magnet, in your office, in a frame, or on your fridge as a reminder. It doesn’t matter what you do with it, what matters is that you HATE DEBT! Consider it a certificate of financial achievement because that’s truly what it is! Hating debt will gain you financial freedom faster than any other thing you do with your money! I want to hear from you!!

Give me a call, share your rant, and give me a way to contact you so I can send you your free certificate of achievement! (Please know that your privacy is my top priority here, so no need to worry about me sharing your information with anyone. Your call will be completely confidential and any information obtained would strictly be used to keep my end of the bargain!)

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Help me launch this hotline with a bang, and receive the most prestigious financial certificate available on the web!!

Don’t H8 DEBT?

I wanna hear from you too! In fact, I think your message could give me plenty of inspiration to keep Enemy of Debt going for hundreds of years to come! I LOVE hearing from people who believe debt is a tool! (Don’t you worry, just because we disagree on the subject of debt, your privacy is just as important to me! I must ask that anyone who calls please be respectful and at least coherent. You don’t have to whisper or even keep your cool, get loud, but be respectful.)

If my use of the word ignorance offended you, or wasn’t politically correct enough, call me to give me your VERY BEST reason why that statement is false.

For the record, I have been ignorant too. Luckily, ignorance isn’t permanent, it’s only a temporary state of being! The choice is yours to make!

DISCLAIMER: To the very few of you who have been forced into debt by absolutely NO FAULT of your own, my heart goes out to you. BUT, what are you gonna do about it now that you have it? Start HATING IT so you can get it out of your life!

I Don’t Believe In Beating Around The Bush!

Perhaps some of these articles will inspire you to call my new hotline! Am I on the mark, or off my rocker? You be the judge!

484-H8-DEBT-2 (484-483-3282) CALL ME!

• When You’re Tired Of Being Broke, You’ll Start Saving
• People Need An Excuse To Spend Money, And They’re Eager To Find One
• The Cold Hard Truth: Debt is STUPID and You Might Be Too!!
• Bankruptcy – The Morning After Pill of Personal Finance
• Are Your Priorities Backwards?
• A Destructive Mindset: Is This What You Believe Too?
• Are You Waiting For Washington To Save The Day?
• Personal Responsibility Starts With YOU
• Saving To Buy, Instead Of Buying To Slave!

Happy Friday everyone!

This game isn’t to be confused with my recent giveaway and fundraiser of the “I’m Debt Free” game.

This is a completely different game, and one that I know you will also enjoy. One of the major differences is the fact that this game is a little more kid-friendly and interactive. It’s also much cheaper and comes with FREE shipping. Total cost: $22.00.

I have to admit, we weren’t making a very great effort to sit around the kitchen table to enjoy a family board game before. BUT since I am the Enemy of Debt, and this is a debt free game, we have had a little more game time at our house recently. I wasn’t sure how my  4 year old would respond to this game but it didn’t take long before I realized that he was really enjoying himself, and so were we. It’s a family-friendly fun time!!

One of my favorite things about this game is that when the game is over, you can allow your kids to keep their “winnings” from the game. We simply put Isaac’s “cut” in his envelopes along with the commission he earns from doing his chores. Isaac is only 4 years old, but I would be willing to bet he knows more about debt, spending, saving, and giving than most kids his age. I have been working with Isaac for a little over a year and am glad to have another tool to use to keep him interested in learning about handling his money responsibly.

It’s tough enough in this world without having to worry about financial stress. Are you doing what you can to teach your kids about money?

Children And Money: Are You Helping Your Children Learn The Basics?
Children and Money: A Basic Plan To Teach Financial Responsibility

This game is very easy to learn. Living debt free is a great way to give you and your family the financial advantage you have been looking for. Make learning about money and living debt free fun. Get this game so the whole family can learn the basics. Not only is this game just $22.00, but shipping is FREE!!! If you don’t win one be sure to pick up a copy for your family!

Learn how to: (from the website)

• Avoiding debt by paying cash
• Budgeting and setting goals to live debt free
• Starting a debt snowball and paying extra on smallest bills
• Having an emergency fund of $1500
• Having a six-month emergency fund in place
• Investing in a 401(k) and Roth IRA
• Educational savings accounts
• Building wealth and financial freedom
• Paying extra on your mortgage

The Giveaway

All you need to do in order to enter for a chance to win is be a current subscriber to Enemy of Debt and leave a comment below. In your comment answer these two questions: (worth 1 entry)

1. When is the last time you sat around the kitchen table with your family to play a board game?
2. Of all your financial mistakes, what ONE MISTAKE would you want your kids to learn the most?

Want to increase your chances of winning? These can be done at the bottom of this post. (Be sure to leave a comment letting me know about your extra entries.)

1. Tweet this post. (make sure @enemyofdebt is in your tweet.) Worth 5 extra entries!
2. Stumble this post. Worth 5 extra entries!
3. Tip this post. Worth 5 extra entries!

Giveaway Deadline

All entries must be submitted by next Wednesday August 11th at midnight! I will be selecting the winners via random.org, and will update THIS POST to let you know who the winners are on Thursday.

Good Luck!!

The Winners!

The winners of The Debt Free Game are Matt N. and Melissa! (Winners were selected via random.org)

Congratulations and I hope you and your family enjoys this really fun game! Thanks for participating and reading Enemy of Debt!

PURE AWESOMENESS!

Yesterday, Enemy of Debt was introduced to the comic strip world for the first time! Back in February, I sent the creator of the Personal Finance comics an email, suggesting an Enemy of Debt character. Every comic has a villain and since he writes for a credit card site, I thought Enemy of Debt would play the part nicely.

He liked the idea, and even took it one step further by asking me to write up a storyline. Having never written anything like that before I was a bit nervous, but I jumped right on it. I submitted my basic storyline and Fred did his magic. Francis Vallejo did an AMAZING job on the graphics, layout and ink work!

Just the other day Fred released this sneak peak. To date, this is his BIGGEST comic edition yet! It was so big that he had to publish it in two parts. You can check out the first part here.

• On the 2nd of June he will reveal what Enemy of Debt’s next move is to J.Money’s zany gambling habits!
• What has happened to Baker?
• Will Money Funk be ok?

To just be a part of this is so exciting to me! Don’t miss a thing.

Here are the characters listed in order of appearance:

Brian Scheur from My Next Buck

J. Money from Budgets are Sexy – Spreading the Financial Love

Money Funk from Money Funk – Personal Finance and Frugal Living

Enemy Of Debt from Enemy of Debt – Motivational Money Management

Baker from Man Vs Debt – Sell your crap. Payoff your Debt. Do what you love.

OTHER COMICS FROM FRED & FRANCIS

Where did Brian from My Next Buck get his coin from? – The special coin

Why is J.Money from Budgets Are Sexy crazy about lottery tickets? – Mo’ Money

From Blog to Book featuring J.D. from Get Rich Slowly

Debt Buster featuring Baker from Man vs. Debt

CREDITS

Illustrator: Francis Vallejo – Graphics, Panel Layout and Inking

Story: Brad Chaffee

Editor: Fred Schebesta

On the regular…I hear average people complain about the current state of our economy. I hear average people complain about Government spending and how wasteful and inefficient it is. I hear average people complain about the rising U.S. debt, which is now over 12 trillion dollars. I hear average people complain about the U.S. budget which seems to be compiled of massive debt and lots of red numbers. In a nutshell, I hear average people complain about the basic financial decisions made daily in the U.S.

Guess what?

The average person is just as broke, just as bad, and just as irresponsible as the U.S. Government when it comes to financial matters. Yep, 7 out of 10 people are broke, so what does that tell you? Not certain what it tells you, but what it tells me is that the average person is NOT smarter than the U.S. Government.

EOD Tip: Monkey See, Monkey Don’t – Stop doing the same things with your money, that our Government does with theirs ours. Want to be financially well-off? Do what financially well-off people do.

Are you the average person?
Government answer: YES! Average is good, follow our lead.

1. Yes, and I like it that way.
2. Yes, but I am ready to be extraordinary.
3. No way, common sense is King.

Do you have an emergency fund?
Government answer: NO! Who needs an Emergency Fund when you collect taxes?

1. Yes, and it feels GREAT!
2. No, but I am ready to get one.
3. No, I have my credit cards.

Do you have and maintain a monthly “balanced” budget?
Government answer: NO! Who needs a “balanced” budget when using tax payer money?

1. Yes, and it helps me stay focused!
2. No, but I would like to give it a try.
3. Nope, who needs a budget?

Do you spend more than you make?
Government answer: Of course! Thank God for taxes!

1. Yes, why do you think I love my credit cards so much?
2. Yes, but it’s time to gain control of my behavior.
3. Nope, not anymore.

Do you have debt not including your mortgage?
Government answer: YES! Got to keep these failed programs going so we can continue to raise taxes to pay for them.

1. Yes, we have tons of debt, who doesn’t?
2. Yes, but we are working to eliminate it!
3. Nope, no debt for us please!

Do you have, or have you ever thought about funding your own retirement?
Government answer: Of course not, tax payers fund ours, but you need us to fund yours.  (Ironic eh?)

1. Yes, but I haven’t started just yet.
2. Yes, my retirement is growing slow but steady.
3. Nope, that’s what the Government is for.

What do we take away from all this? Well, if you are spending other people’s money it doesn’t really matter at all apparently, but if you are spending your own it better matter!

EOD Tip: Government Reliance Vs. Personal Responsibility- Wait Or Create? – If you want to be smarter than the U.S. Government, you should focus and try as hard as you can to become more self reliant. Taking personal responsibility for your life and your actions, is one of the most valuable attributes to becoming who you want to become.

Your money should matter to you as much as, if not more than, what the Government is doing with the money they take from you. The Government has proven time and time again that it has no real grasp on how to manage money. In our society debt is seen as good, mostly because it allows us to buy stuff we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. I am screaming at the top of my lungs here to tell you it is a lie. You can have anything you want with a little discipline, sacrifice and an actual financial plan that isn’t void of common sense.

If debt was the answer to prosperity, why is our economy suffering SO BADLY, even after the Government spent HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS of our tax dollars?

Common sense? It’s not as common as you would think.

As the Government has proven, you don’t need common sense when you are using tax payer dollars. It doesn’t take much to do it their way, but being smarter than the United States Government gives you control, security, dignity, and a much better quality of life. Be smarter than the U.S. Government and take control of your money, instead of continuing to spend on auto-pilot.

So are you Smarter Than The U.S. Government?

Looking for more to read? Be sure to check me out over at the Self Reliance Exchange.

Some people have a problem with getting older, but not me. I welcome the added wisdom, knowledge, and experience of the previous year, and am ready to move on to bigger and better things. Age is nothing more than a number.

Live life, love life, and enjoy it while you can—become DEBT FREE!

In 1975:

• Gerald R. Ford was President – President Ford escaped 2 assassination attempts.
• U.S. Population was 215,973,199.
• Federal Debt was $541.9 billion.
• Unemployment was 8.5%.
• Pittsburgh defeated Minnesota in Super Bowl.
• Saturday Night Live premieres on NBC. George Carlin hosts the first show.
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest sweeps the top Oscars, winning Best Picture, Director, Actor, and Actress.
• Academy Award, Best Picture: The Godfather Part II, Francis Ford Coppola, producer; Gray Frederickson and Fred Roos, co-producers (Paramount)
• Record of the Year: “I Honestly Love You,” Olivia Newton-John
• Album of the Year: Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Stevie Wonder (Tamla/Motown)

This Time Last Year:

• I HATED DEBT!
• I had debt, and Sallie Mae wanted to move in until 2018. I said NO WAY!
• We were 14 months into our Total Money Makeover. One of the only New Years Resolutions I have ever followed through completely on.
• Barrack Obama became President.
• U.S. Population was 307,212,123 (July estimate)
• Federal Debt was 10.6 TRILLION.
• Unemployment was under 8%. Currently over 10%.
• I had under 41 subscribers.

Today:

• I STILL HATE DEBT!
• I have been married for 5.5 years.
• I have 3 kids: Caitlin 13 Isaac 3 Noah 4 mos.
• I HAVE NO DEBT except for the house.
• Federal debt is currently 12.3 TRILLION. (Don’t take notes from Washington.)
• New Orleans Saints defeat The Indianapolis Colts.
• Am more motivated than ever to teach debt freedom.
• Am one week away from my last 2 days of work. (SAHD/WAHD) Nice!
• Am looking forward to becoming a Certified Financial Counselor in April.
• Considering approaching Washington to introduce them to Financial Peace University.
• Starting my third FPU at my church.
• Write for Self reliance Exchange, and something else that is still a secret.
• I have 500+ subscribers. (AND I LOVE YOU ALL!)
• I AM MORE FREE THAN I WAS LAST YEAR!

That’s it from me today! I will be spending the day with my family! Have a great Monday!

photo credit

Hello my awesome EOD readers!

Basically, I think it would be SUPER COOL if someone in every state declared their hatred for debt the way that I have.

As some of you know, I have already done this myself.

So what I envision is for 49 of you, one from each state with the exception of Virginia, to eventually get a personalized plate that reads:

Once you have done this, be sure to email me at freedom@enemyofdebt.com, so I can list your state as complete. If you have a website or blog, I would also be happy to link to it from this list of DEBT HATING AMERICANS.

I am going to make this even more exciting, as if that were possible right? When this list is completed, I will be giving away $50 to one lucky winner from the list. Winner will be chosen via random dot org by the number next to each state.

What are you waiting for? Go make me proud!

I have learned that some states charge an arm and a leg for the pieces of aluminum that are put on their cars. I created bumper stickers that are MUCH cheaper if you still want to show your support for Enemy of Debt and share your hatred of debt.

IH8 DEBT 50 Plates In 50 States

1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Connecticut
8. Delaware
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Hawaii
12. Idaho
13. Illinois
14. Indiana
15. Iowa
16. Kansas
17. Kentucky
18. Louisiana
    
19. Maine
20. Maryland
21. Massachusetts
    
22. Michigan – Divine & Debt Free
    
23. Minnesota
24. Mississippi
25. Missouri
26. Montana
27. Nebraska
28. Nevada
29. New Hampshire
    
30. New Jersey
31. New Mexico
32. New York
33. North Carolina
34. North Dakota
35. Ohio
36. Oklahoma
37. Oregon
38. Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island
40. South Carolina
41. South Dakota
42. Tennessee
43. Texas
44. Utah
45. Vermont
    
46. Virginia – Enemy of Debt
    
47. Washington
48. West Virginia
49. Wisconsin
50. Wyoming

1.) I am thankful for the healthy birth of our new little man Noah. He has been a blessing and so much fun to be around.

2.) I am obviously thankful for the fact that we have become debt free in 2009. This accomplishment alone has helped our lives become less stressful and more enjoyable. It’s been a wonderful experience to say the least.

3.) I am really thankful for the people I interact with daily throughout the blogosphere. That may seem cheesy to some, but I have learned so much from the people around me—bloggers and readers alike. (READERS – I am especially thankful for you, because without you, I would not have an audience to write to.)

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving, and if you have time read my post over at the Self Reliance Exchange about Black Friday:

Make Black Friday A Debt Free Friday – If you ask me, Black Friday is the worst day of the year. Add my least favorite thing to do—shopping—and you have yourself one turned-off Dad. Just show me some pajamas and the remote, and I’ll show you what contentment actually looks like. I’d even settle for watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” with my wife, but don’t tell her—she’ll be skipping the marketing festivities as well…continue reading.

However, I thought it would be fun to share with you a special behind the scenes look at me—the Enemy of Debt.  Learn some random facts about yours truly.  Why now?  That’s simple—we just had a baby and I am on cloud nine, so I thought I would lighten things up a bit.  Please enjoy!

In 2009 I/we:

1. got put on the map by Jim Kavanagh over at cnn.com causing Enemy of Debt to explode! (Thanks Jim!)  I went from about 41 subscribers to now 294 since May of 2009, and I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!
2. celebrated being married to my beautiful wife for 5 years!  (Thank you Alana for putting up with me!)
3. BECAME DEBT FREE BABY!!!!! (Thanks Dave Ramsey!)
   
4. had a precious and healthy baby boy!  (Thanks to God!)
5. became a regular contributor at the Self Reliance Exchange to help encourage self-sufficiency!  (Thanks to Clair and DDFD for the opportunity!)

All really wonderful and exciting experiences.

Now For 21 Random Facts About Me

(Number 20 may shock you!!)

1. Favorite sport growing up: baseball – pitcher and shortstop.  Played for 13 years.
2. I was most known for: my killer curveball and accuracy as a pitcher.
3. Have lived in: Virginia, New Mexico, & Oregon.
4. I have: three beautiful children – Caitlin, Isaac, and Noah. (All pictured below!)
5. I considered myself: an Atheist until the year 2004, which is when I became a Christian.
6. I absolutely enjoy: reading, hiking, skiing, playing golf, darts, ping pong, pool, basketball, & blogging.
7. I do not enjoy: watching sports on television.
8. Regret to say I have never: been out of the country.
9. 7 places I most want to visit: Greece, Italy, Israel, Japan, Australia, India, and Peru.
10. My 3 favorite T.V. shows: Criminal Minds, Fringe, & Lost.
11. I smoked cigarettes: for 14.5 of the last 19 years.  Quit for good 2 years ago!  Yay me!
12. My 3 favorite types of food are: Italian, Indian, & Chinese.
13. I am scared of: heights & not learning.
14. Once flew to Florida to: replace a relatives roof, in the middle of the summer—for free.  Did I say IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER?  Seriously though, we saved her lots of money.
15. Favorite hike in Virginia: Old Rag Mountain.
16. Hates when: people smack when eating. (Agggh!) Nobody wants to hear you grazing!! It’s amazing to me that the people who do it—yeah you know who you are—act like they have no idea.  That’s like finding yourself skiing at the top of a mountain, NAKED and saying you didn’t realize it.
17. Is annoyed by: parents exploiting their kids for personal gain. (bubbleboy – I feel for you dude!)
18. If I ever start a non-profit organization, it would be mainly focused on these two things: 1.) motivating and assisting struggling single-parents, and 2.) motivating and mentoring children that do not have a father figure, especially—but not limited to—orphans and foster children.
19. Any tattoos?: Yes…this one, and I want at least two more.  At least!
20. *Something you might not expect from me: at one-time—I had 5 earrings, a tongue ring, my eyebrow and my lip pierced.  Too much?  haha!
21. Embarrassing life changing event – In 2003, I went to an interview once and actually asked this question:  What is your policy on piercings? (smack! smack!) Needless to say I DID NOT get the job, in fact, the guy knew the very second that question came out of my mouth he wasn’t going to hire me.  What makes it even more embarrassing is that it was a big opportunity for me at the time, and I was referred by a friend of a friend from the company.  UPDATE: Piercing-Free since 2003. Hahaha!  I don’t hate them per say, I just grew out of them.

My Beautiful Children

Caitlin Taylor (13)

Caitlin At Hospital After Birth

(will add one of Caitlin at hospital after I find one and scan it!)

Bradley Isaac (3)

Isaac At Hospital 1-3 Days After Being Born 2006

Joseph Noah (newborn)

My Beautiful Wife And I On Our Wedding Day

Our Dogs

Daisy

Gizmo

Blast From The Past – Isaac As A Chicken For Halloween 2007

Isaac was so cute!  The second picture was hilarious because he just decided to sit down in that corner and look as if he just lost his job or something.

A Young Me Before Debt

Good friends - Jr. High School

Walking my mom down the isle

My Favorite Christmas Ornament

These scissors were a gift from my first Financial Peace University class I led at my church.  They have “Enemy of Debt” engraved on them!!  ROCK ON FPU!

Notice the cut up credit card pieces that were placed in this ornament after we paid them off and closed each account for GOOD!  We haven’t borrowed a penny since January of 2008, even though we were told it couldn’t be done!

Ornament reads: Financial Freedom…Priceless!!! Ornament is a gift I buy for anyone in my FPU class that cuts up there credit cards anytime during the 13 weeks.

Did You Know I Could Draw?

I drew this from a picture of Isaac

I drew this from a picture of Caitlin

I guess I will need to get to work on Noah’s drawing now!  ;D

ANTI-CREDIT CARD ART That I Created For EOD—You Like?

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me just a little bit better! Any comments?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

I have been blogging for over a year now but I can honestly say that I really didn’t know blogging until I met J Money over at Budgets Are Sexy.  He is the first person I met blogging that I became friends with.  I admire his frugality and extreme dedication to saving and investing.  He is not even 30, yet he has more savings than the average person in their 50′s.

We communicate back and forth quite frequently and have much respect for each other.  We have even been known to duke it out, in a friendly fun kind of way, on his blog as well as on other blogs.  The most recent one was here at Money Funk.  I sent J an email after one of our friendly duels, and he decided to turn it into a post to highlight the power of visualization.  Specifically the visualization of a life without debt.  Go check it out and see why we have so much fun!

I want to thank J Money for showing me some stuff I didn’t know about blogging and helping me when I sometimes bugged him multiple times a day.  We had a brew together once but I hope we are able to share more.  Here’s to great friends and cheers to the personal finance blog world that I love oh so much!  Thanks J!

As you know I am currently taking a public speaking class.  The last speech I posted was an informative speech about The Benefits Of Saving.  I told you that I planned on doing my ceremonial speech as if I had just become debt free.  I did so, but also decided to make it about my entire class becoming debt free.  Not only that but I wrote the speech as if I was giving it to a crowd of people.  After all, this kind of celebration would be huge.  I am scheduled to give this speech tonight in class.  I am VERY happy with what is written, all I have to do now is work on the tone, delivery, and articulation.  Wish me luck!

Oh yeah if there are any public speakers out there, let me have it.  How can I do better?  Remember , I am speaking at a local college in September, and this is practice for that.  Make me better!  Chances are by the time I read your comments today, I will have already given my speech, but please leave them anyway.  In other words, hurt my feelings as much as you like, September is almost here!

My “Financial Independence” Ceremonial Speech

Ladies and gentlemen, professors, students, and honored guests, thank you for being here.  Today we will celebrate the dedication and sacrifice of fourteen students, including myself, by declaring our financial independence.  Fourteen students who have denied the bondage of debt, in order to achieve the greater good.  Fourteen students, who have chosen to go against the grain, and in doing so, have discovered financial freedom.

Now many of you know that the charge has been levied, that this group in no way could attain such a lofty goal.  The charge has been maintained that this group could not endure.  That this group could not harness the discipline required.  But dear friends, I stand before you today to proclaim that the scoffers were wrong.  It is true that we were met with some difficulties.  The road was paved with sacrifice, frustration, and at times even despair.  Some of us even wondered if we would ever again; stand in line to purchase a $5.00 Latte.

I must confess that even I, THE Enemy Of Debt, found myself questioning my own determination.  Asking things like, “Would my sacrifice pay off?”, and “Would I be satisfied to have sacrificed the simple pleasures now, in exchange for the hopeful long term gain?”  As we all know, when one is in the midst of a struggle, it can be difficult to see the end even when it’s in plain view.  As I struggled with the changes needed to walk greener pastures, I had to constantly remind myself of what achieving such a goal would mean for me and my family.  Would I stay the course, living paycheck to paycheck plagued with financial uncertainty?  Would I selfishly enjoy my own desires at my family’s expense?  Or would I be the man, I know I should be, could be, but most importantly want to be?  I stand here today with overwhelming joy, in knowing that I chose the latter.  A decision I will never live to regret.

On my website there is a saying. I think it is simple, yet profound.  Think smart, think BIG, think debt free.  To those of you celebrating your debt freedom today, I must say, you have definitely thought smart.  You have rejected the status quo, and realized that anything worth having is worth waiting for. You have finally come to terms with the old adage, if your friends all jump off a bridge, would you jump too?  Well you did jump off a bridge, but it was a different one.  It was not a jump into the murky abyss of mounting debt and frustration.  It was a jump into the cool, calm waters of financial freedom.  It should also be evident to everyone here, that you did indeed, think big.  When you were mocked with laughter and ridiculed for attempting the impossible. You thought big!  When others told you that you had to have a car payment.  You had to have credit cards for an emergency, YEP YOU DID IT- you thought big!  So I want to extend my congratulations to every one of you, who were willing to do away with puny thoughts, and think big, in order to achieve financial freedom.  In doing those things, you have become debt free.  You have fought the battle and come out on the other end.  Congratulations!  I am going to leave you with the words of another who has fought the battle, experienced defeat, and ultimately found victory.

Theodore Roosevelt had this to say.  “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Thank You!

I came across this video and thought you might like a good laugh!

I know that for the people that actually were saving and investing their money, this must have been how they felt.  It made me start to wonder if their were some of you that stopped saving and investing when the market tanked…did you?  Why or why not? What’s the consensus?

“Market timing is a not a good idea. Investing with a steady hand and for the long-term is a good idea.  However, standing out of the way of a train wreck is not market timing.” – The Market Oracle (I love that last line!)

I am confident that based on market history, the economy will recover so I do not see the need to panic and pull the plug.  I do understand how that might not be the case for someone nearing retirement though.  Our economy took a major dive, so did anyone avoid the train wreck?  Please leave a comment to share your thoughts…

A Little Fun

I created an application on Facebook.  Are you Weird Or Broke? Find out now!  This is for fun but there is some truth to the results you get.

Even if you feel broke your new way of thinking about money from what you have learned here changes everything!

Have fun and share this link with everyone!

When Is America Going To Start Caring?

The problem is getting a debt happy culture to realize the danger.  So many take so much for granted!  How do you convince a society that has tricked itself into believing that debt is a good thing, into believing debt is actually the opposite of a good thing?  Look around you people!!  Debt is not a good thing and proof is ALL AROUND you!  Debt is swallowing up America, and no one really seems to be concerned with it.  Oh there are some that claim to be concerned during every election cycle, but it does not take long for denial to peak after that ship has sailed. Debt is DUMB and we are DUMB for allowing it to control our lives!!  If we do not realize this America is going to sink into the abyss.

I.O.U.S.A. The Movie

GO WATCH IT!! This video is the short version, but the full version will be released on DVD April 7th.  This movie will show you the scary truth about what debt is actually doing to this country.  If you consider what the accumulation of debt has done to households across the country, it is a good indication of what it is going to do to this country as a whole.  Essentially the Government is mismanaging federal dollars, just as you are mismanaging personal dollars.  It’s time to wise up before it is too late!  If you have debt, get rid of it NOW!  I do not think anyone, including myself, wants to say I told you so!