Dave Ramsey - (Financial) Perhaps one of the most influential financial gurus of our time, Dave Ramsey is a best selling author, founder of Financial Peace University, and radio personality for the syndicated and highly popular Dave Ramsey Show. He has made it his mission in life to help people get out of debt so they can enjoy what he calls financial peace. His hard-lined views challenge the current mindset of society by debunking common myths associated with debt and money. He does a very good job of helping you understand not only what you should do, but why you should do it. One of his best selling books, The Total Money Makeover, has helped many people, including myself, go against the grain to become debt free. It was this book that finally convinced my wife and I to make the changes necessary to get out of debt. If you have not read his book—you should!

Other Books By Dave Ramsey

Financial Peace University Revisited
How To Have More Than Enough
Priceless
The Money Answer Book

Kids Books

The Super Red Racer (WORK)
Careless At The Carnival (SPENDING)
The Big Birthday Surprise (GIVING)
The Fantastic Fieldtrip (SAVING)
A Special Thank You (INTEGRITY)
Battle Of The Chores (DEBT)

John G. Miller – (Personal Accountability) When it comes to personal accountability, he is the leading authority if you ask me. His book, The Question Behind The Question (QBQ), teaches the art of accountability. His goal is to help you overcome the negative questions that feed procrastination, victim thinking, and placing blame—questions that have no solutions. He instead recommends that we ask better questions so that we may take control and become more productive in the process. Some people work really hard to try and change other people. Miller reminds us that the only person we can change—no matter how hard we try—is ourselves. I highly recommend The QBQ to anyone interested in self-development. I have the audio book and I listen to it frequently.

Other Books By John G. Miller

Dan Miller – (Careers) I found out about Dan Miller through Dave Ramsey. Dan is a passionate person who coaches people in business and careers. He specializes in helping people realize that the traditional methods in which people earn income are becoming a thing of the past. The internet has changed the way we do business as well as made it easier to earn a living aside from the normal 9-5. 48 Days To The Work You Love is a terrific read and to be honest was one of the reasons I decided to start Enemy of Debt, as well as consider becoming a certified financial counselor. He convinced me that with passion comes opportunity and working in a career that you don’t like is the wrong approach. Many people sludge along looking forward to Friday and dreading Monday, but Dan believes that when you work in your passion you have a greater chance to earn more money because you enjoy your work and are more motivated to be there. Creativity reaches new heights when you are passionate about what you do. If you are like me you will be unable to put the book down once you start reading it.

Another Book By Dan Miller

No More Mondays

Brian Tracy – (goals setting, sales) I absolutely LOVE reading and listening to Brian Tracy’s books. He is one of my favorite motivational speakers and speaks on almost any topic you can think of. He covers topics such as how to become succesful bussinesman, a better salesman, how to stop procrastinating, goal setting, time management, positve thinking, public speaking, weight loss, the habits of succesful people and more. I first listened to Brian Tracy’s goal setting audio book and loved it. He gives you practical methods and approaches, to better help you take control of your life and career. He is also big on personal responsibility which is another plus if you ask me.

Books By Brian Tracy

Verbal Command: Expand Your Vocabulary & Verbal Acuity
Focal Point: A Proven System To Simplify Your Life, Double Your Productivity, And Achieve All Your Goals
Speak To Win: How to Present With Power in Any Situation
Reinvention: How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life
Psychology of Selling: The Art of Closing Sales
Flight Plan: The Real Secret of Success, How to Achieve More Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible
The Power of Charm: How to Win Anyone over in Any Situation
Maximum Achievement: Strategies and Skills That Will Unlock Your Hidden Powers to Succeed
Great Little Book on Effective Leadership
Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want-Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating And Get More Done in Less Time
The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires: How to Achieve Financial Independence Faster and Easier Than You Ever Thought Possible
…and LOTS more!

The one thing ALL of these guys have in common is they have positive attitudes! A quality that is not found in many people, including myself—at times. The truth is we all need guidance, wisdom, and constant encouragement to continue to grow and mature. You don’t have to agree with everything any of them say to learn from them. Don’t miss out on the good stuff because you disagree with them on some of their beliefs. Apply what you can to your life, and discard the rest. The point is to constantly grow and learn because no matter how much you think you know—there is always more.

What’s Happening At The Self-Reliance Exchange?

I wanted to keep you posted on articles that I have written at SRE, so I have decided to link to those articles whenever I write a new one. (I am playing catch up with the links below. Most of the time you can expect one or two links.) I am also committed to keeping my posts shorter so that they will be quick but quality reads! Comments are appreciated as I am very interested in hearing your thoughts. Enjoy!

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Changing Your Behavior Requires A Paradigm Shift

by Brad Chaffee on September 2, 2009

in Money Management

Before...

What Is A Paradigm Shift?

As defined, is ¹) a fundamental change in approach or assumptions, and ²) the acceptance by a majority of a changed belief, attitude, or way of doing things.

What if your way of thinking changed completely? Would your behaviors change as well? People are afraid of change, but change for the better should be nothing to fear! Change is growth and maturity, because if you are not changing you are not learning. Learn to change and you will be amazed at what you can do! Become a butterfly!

Check out these four articles from four very influential bloggers. Also be sure to check out my weight loss update and extra thoughts at the bottom. Digg it, tweet it, stumble it or whatever else you can do to spread the word. THANKS!

BEHAVIOR – The Accumulation Of Debt

This Is Why You Are In Debt written by Marc from Marc And Angel Hack Life. I recently just found this blog and I am so glad I did. This blog is LOADED with tons of helpful information to make your life easier, and more enjoyable. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“Please remember, financial debt can be avoided and erased. It just takes a little effort, education, and determination on your end to make it possible. So as I’ve said before, live a comfortable life, not a wasteful one. Do not spend to impress others. Do not live life trying to fool yourself into thinking wealth is measured in material objects. Manage your money wisely so your money does not manage you. And always live well below your means.” – Marc

He gives you 18 reasons why you are broke and in debt up to your eyeballs!! This is a must read! You will only be disappointed if you are in denial.

...and AFTER!

BEHAVIOR – The Accumulation Of Stuff

This has become one of my FAVORITE blogs! Leo is a great writer and really pushes an alternative, yet insightful lifestyle. I only say alternative because most people are on the other side of the spectrum, with lives cram packed with stuff, regret, and loads of stress. How To Live A Better Life With Less is an awesome read! Zen Habits is in the TOP 100 blogs on the net, and he is also a best selling author of the book, The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential…in Business and in Life. His posts are not only thought provoking but challenge you to think differently in order to experience life’s greater joys. Here’s an excerpt from his post:

“I’ve worked for more than 5 years now to simplify my life, and while I’ve discovered the sublime joys of living a simple life, I’ve realized most people don’t get it.

‘Why would I want LESS?’ they ask themselves. ‘Less is less fun, harder, monk-like, boring.’

The simple answer: because life can be so much better with less.

That’s hard to believe if you haven’t tried it, but today I am happier than ever. I’m better off financially than ever, now that I’m out of debt and living blissfully debt-free. I am unencumbered by a crapload of stuff, and I have room in my life for what’s truly important: my family, my writing, and my twin loves of reading and running.” – Leo

BEHAVIOR – Ignoring Your Potential

Jeff over at My Super-Charged Life is launching a new series about 12 Smart Living Rules to help you find success in life. In Smart Living: Announcing a Deep Look Into Living Life to the Fullest, he provides an overview of what you can expect. I am very impressed and look forward to checking out this series. Here are just a few of the 13 rules to simple living he intends on covering:

Smart Living Rule 1 – Take Full Responsibility For Your Life
Smart Living Rule 5 – Make Your Life Count for Something
Smart Living Rule 8 – Never Stop Learning and Growing

Most people go with the flow never realizing everything they are missing. Most people would rather point fingers, rather than take full responsibility for their actions and their lives. Most people never even imagine how their lives could be different if they had purpose to experience a deeper meaning in life. Most people are too busy trying to find out who has been voted off of American Idol to even discover that the knowledge they carry is nothing compared to what there is too learn. Most people are too busy to realize LIFE is passing them by. Don’t be MOST PEOPLE! Life has more to offer and you have more to offer life!

BEHAVIOR – Looking For Happiness In The Wrong Places

In a world filled with materialism and the constant struggle to impress others, Frugal Dad delves into what happiness really is. What is happiness? How do we define success? Is it fancy cars, 2 week vacations, and keeping up with the Joneses? Of course happiness and success to some is about those things, but I happen to think differently myself. Money and possessions can provide hours of entertainment and fun, but my happiness comes from a much different place. Time with my family is very valuable, and helping others is right there at the top. I have learned that if I manage my money instead of allowing my money to manage me, I don’t really need as much as I thought I did.

Ultimately, as I experience financial peace for myself, I will be able to build wealth without working myself into a grave, and love what I do enough to feel like I am not missing out. Contentment is something very few people ever experience fully. They are always in search of the next big thing they think will make them happy. Go read Happiness For Others Comes From Contentment With Yourself, and maybe it will inspire you to think about what makes you happy. Here’s an excerpt:

“It was at this point that I went through sort of an early mid-life crisis. Up to that point I had been fast-tracking the career ladder, having started literally on the bottom rung and made my way to middle management. Of course, the promotions often meant more headaches, more travel and not much more money. I came to a point in my life where I would gladly give up the late nights, Saturday mornings and two week cross-country trips for more time with my wife and kids.” – Frugal Dad

A Little Something Extra

I hope you have enjoyed this compilation of great reads. Maybe these things do not apply to you directly, but if they do I hope you can use this as a constructive guide to reflect on how you can change your current behaviors for the better. Our behaviors, if bad, can unravel the best of intentions. What’s important to you and how can you achieve your goals by addressing the behaviors that keep you from reaching them? Self reflection is the best teacher!

I have currently become VERY SERIOUS about changing the behaviors that caused me to not only become unhealthy and overweight, but the behaviors that will cause me to miss out on so much if left unchecked. No one knows when their time is up, but we can work as hard as we want to lengthen that time in order to enjoy life to the fullest. What if you were a butterfly instead of a caterpillar?

Weight loss update: I have been doing Weight Watchers for almost three and a half weeks and I have lost 12 pounds, NOT COUNTING this Saturdays hopeful weight loss. I am becoming very comfortable with the lifestyle changes that have taken place in the last few weeks. I hope to continue making progress and plan to stick to it no matter what. When I fail, it will only be temporary because I refuse to stay down!

I will become debt free! I will become healthy and fit! I will work in my strengths and passions! I will run a marathon! I will give lots of money away! I will make a difference! I WILL!

Remember: What you believe is what you achieve! Change your thinking!

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This Is What Debt Free Looks And Feels Like!

by Brad Chaffee on August 14, 2009

in Money Management

get-debt-free

Surprise Double Post!! On Fridays I LOVE To Motivate!!

I thought I would give you something to think about this weekend. When you are out this weekend and pull out your plastic companion to pay for something I want you to think about this post. I want you to think about Enemy of Debt. I want you to think about debt freedom. Most importantly I want you to THINK! You deserve the best and debt is not the best! Where there is no debt there is freedom, and it is greener on the other side. Think Green!

The video clip below represents so much of everything around us. Everyday we experience life, and everyday we have to make decisions because of it. Decide NOT to borrow money this weekend! Imagine yourself without bondage! Imagine if you were debt free. How good would it feel to be free of minimum payments and purchases that haunt your paychecks each and every month?

Getting out of debt feels like what happens in this video. At first you don’t believe it can be done, but as you keep on pushing, and keep on digging, you will get further than you even dreamed. It’s gonna burn! It’s gonna hurt, and at times, you will feel like giving up. Don’t give up! Give your very best! Keep on going, you can do it! When you reach the 100 yard line and look back to see just how hard you fought, and how far you’ve come, the only thing that will be at the top of your thoughts is that YOU DID IT! (We are almost there and I will be able to confirm this soon!)

Think about Brock and his attitude in the beginning. It is much like that of someone who is in debt up to their eyeballs. Void of hope. As Brock is traveling down the field, to fight the impossible, imagine that is you getting out of debt. It hurts and you want to stop, but the coach (EOD) is in your face, rooting for you. Telling you that you must continue! You must keep going! You continue to hear, “GIVE ME YOUR BEST, GIVE ME YOUR VERY BEST!” As you pay that last dollar of debt off (100 yard line), and Jeremy (your debt) jumps off of your back, how great do you feel?? I bet when you look back you will not be upset that it hurt, you will be happy you made it. The accomplishment outweighs the pain!

Now you have to watch this video! 10 minutes of your time on today can save you years of bondage. If you are not inspired, debt has got you whipped but don’t you worry though, the seed of hope has been planted. Sometimes it just takes a while to sprout.

This clip is from the movie Facing The Giants. Watch the video below OR click here if the video doesn’t play.

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Your Comfort Zone – Is It Really Your Friend Or Actually Your Foe?

Does Fear Keep You In Your Comfort Zone?
“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” ~ Brian Tracy
About five years ago I had a conversation with my father-in-law that changed how I started making decisions. It really didn’t [...]

14 comments Get Motivated!

15 Books Everyone Should Read At Least Twice

Reading Rocks!
Recently, Newsweek published an article with what they called, 50 Must Reads Now, And Why. Now I am certain some of the books they picked are great reads, but I am also sure that they left better ones out. So I came up with a list of financial books I think everyone should read. [...]

19 comments Get Motivated!

Motivation 101 – YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Are You Motivated?
Chances are, you often feel overwhelmed with your financial situation, and like most, you want to do something about it. There are many things that keep us from doing what we know we should do. Time constraints, lack of energy, procrastination, depression, and even addictions to name a few. One that people rarely [...]

6 comments Get Motivated!

7 Tips To Make Your Budget Work

1. Maintain An Emergency Fund Of $1,000
This is very important! If you do not have an adequate emergency fund when life happens to you, you will feel defeated. It has a very negative impact on your desire to budget when you have to reorganize EVERYTHING to pay for emergencies. If you have an emergency fund [...]

10 comments Get Motivated!

Murphy’s Fall

Murphy’s Fall?
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to something that you have or will possibly go through. I have coined the term “Murphy’s Fall”. Murphy’s Fall isn’t the fall of Murphy. Instead it is something you yourself go through because of Murphy. That’s right. It’s what can happen when Murphy has moved [...]

10 comments Get Motivated!

Taxes, Incentives, and Less Government

Hijacking Incentive Since 1913
I was reminded today of how much I hate taxes so I thought I would come here to cry about it. My wife had to meet with Human Resources this morning for her new job and they informed her that the $2,000 bonus she is to receive will get [...]

0 comments Get Motivated!

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