Race to Freedom Challenge #2 – No Eating Out

Written by on · 33 Comments

Hello everyone. There will be two parts to this article. First, anyone who participated, “officially” or not, in March’s Yard Sale Challenge, will need to email me some information regarding that challenge. And secondly, I’ll introduce you to April’s No Eating Out Challenge. Are ya ready? We only had 4 ladies, officially known as the Fab Four, who participated in last month’s challenge. I would love to have more people become involved as we progress through the year. My Race to Freedom reality series as it was originally envisioned has been scaled down to a much less formal competition. Honestly, […] Read more »

If You Want to Fix Your Money, Fix Your Marriage

Written by on · 3 Comments

Are you constantly trying to figure out why you suck with money? For those that are single, part of the problem is accountability, but for those that aren't, the problem(s) can go much deeper than that. Sometimes the solution is right in front of you, or in this case, in your marriage. Money and Marriage are two words that sometimes seem like distant relatives, but the fact is, the connection between the two are actually hand in hand. If you look at some of the number one reasons people give for getting a divorce, money is usually at the top. I say, if you want to fix your money, fix your marriage...and vice-versa! If you fix your money, your marriage will get better, and if you fix your marriage, how you handle money (as a couple) will follow. It's a positive cycle that involves super communication and a lifetime of commitment! That's right, that commitment doesn't stop at the alter. Read more »

Got Kids? Start Teaching Them Solid Financial Principles

Written by on · 10 Comments

Got kids? If so, you should really consider teaching them solid financial principles as early as age  4. (we started at around three and a half) Why? Well, because if you’re anything like most parents, you desperately want to help your children avoid what you have had to learn the hard way. DEBT SUCKS! Give them a rockin’ head start by helping them understand the money principles that will keep them from making avoidable financial mistakes. Help them: learn how money works learn about debt and why it should be avoided about what expenses are learn about savings and why […] Read more »

March Love Drop – Katie in Dallas

Written by on · 2 Comments

This is how far behind I have become. Love Drop, an effort to give back to the community, really amazed me with last month’s DROP! Last month the Love Drop Team raised over $13,000 (and 3 iPads!) to help two little boys with autism receive a service dog. They were beyond touched, and we did this in only 1 month – that’s it. Everyone came together and gave a few bucks each to impact one family’s life. If you were a part of it, THANK YOU!  You can check out the final video of us showing up to their house […] Read more »

I Have No Budget, am Buried in Debt, but I’m Going on Vacation

Written by on · 12 Comments

Photo Credit: Elsie Esq. Who Are You Following Over the Cliff? If there was only one example NOT TO FOLLOW when it came to finance, it would definitely be that of the United States Government. It seems as though it’s getting easier and easier to use our government as the prime example of what not to do. Here we are without a budget, with no savings, in debt like never before AND they just found a 2.3 trillion dollar mistake in the budget projections for, I think, the next 10 years. (2.3 TRILLION?…WOW!) Employment SUCKS, and people are losing their […] Read more »

Race to Freedom Yard Sale Challenge Submissions

Written by on · 23 Comments

Meet Crystal! She’s not that attached to stuff, except for her tv, and I am super excited that she plans to pay off her car — one of her motivations for joining this challenge. Good luck Crystal and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and answer my questions. 😀 Meet Maurine! I really liked the song she chose and she thinks I am crazy for selling my stuff! LOL Yeah it might have been a bit crazy I admit, but guess what? It got me out of debt faster. 😀 She doesn’t suffer from Stuff Attachment Disorder, […] Read more »

Enemy of Debt Behind the Scenes

Written by on · 2 Comments

Photo Credit: Alan Cleaver Hello everyone! First of all, I’d like to apologize for my delay in posting the Race to Freedom Introductions post. There are only FOUR participants, and I want to take this time to say, I love all FOUR of you!! (Diva, Crystal, Maurine, Jennifer) Seriously! You rock and I thank you for taking my challenge seriously. One very excited participant had to back out at the last minute due to her losing her job, but I know she would have made a very good contestant in this challenge! (I don’t want to blow up your spot, […] Read more »

It’s a Girl!!!

Written by on · 12 Comments

So here it is 11:00 pm and I am just now getting home from a long but awesome day! We drove to Virginia Beach to find out if we were having a girl or a boy and were delighted to learn the news. It’s a girl! What makes today even more special was that my grandmother was able to go with us to the appointment, along with my mother! What a day! I haven’t stopped smiling yet? Race to Freedom: I will review the videos and stuff that was submitted and post an update probably on Friday — maybe earlier! Read more »

Am I Having a Boy or a Girl? Today We Find Out!

Written by on · 4 Comments

A Proud Big Brother,Isaac with his New Little Brother Noah – Day After Noah’s Birth Hello everyone! What a weekend! Today is an exciting day! All my wife wanted for her birthday was to have an appointment to see a “special” doctor to find out if we are having a boy or a girl — earlier than normal. The first two times she wanted this I was against it, mainly because it costs $100 (it hurts just to think about it) and we were at the time still trying to become debt free. Now we’re debt free, and although I […] Read more »

Creative Ways to Pay Down Your Debt

Written by on · 3 Comments

Living under the constant shadow of debt isn’t fun for anybody. If you feel like you’re drowning under a sea of debt, you may think you have no other option other than filing for bankruptcy. This should be avoided at all costs, since it will be a mark on your financial history for many years. It’s important to understand that it doesn’t give you clean slate, but allows people to rebuild their credit, slowly, without the adversity debt. If you do decide to file, you’ll find it's nearly impossible to get good rates on various loans, if at all, or good rates for credit and a variety of other things. Before making this decision, consider a few creative ways others have used to pay off their debt, without having to file for bankruptcy. Read more »

39 People Were “Soooo Interested”, but Only 8 People Are Currently Still Determined

Written by on · 6 Comments

Photo Credit: Alex Schweigert When I first mentioned my reality series idea, so many of you were hyped up and said you were so interested in paying off as much debt in 2011 as you could. The Race to Freedom has officially started, but only 8 people signed up for the challenge. 31 of you are missing in action. I know you didn’t eliminate your debt that fast. 😀 I’m trying really hard not to be offended. haha! 😉 I know and understand how life can get hectic, and some of you may have missed a post or two along […] Read more »

Race to Freedom Challenge #1 – Sell Your Stuff

Written by on · 10 Comments

Do you want to know what motivated us the most when we decided to become debt free? Forget about the BIGGEST motivation, which was the freedom part of becoming debt free. That alone will not get you out of debt. If it did, way more people would be living the debt free life. It's because the goal is too long term for most people, and we are not motivated by what one, two, or even 10 years might be like. We need to see results and fast! Read more »

Welcoming a New Baby into Our Family

Written by on · 37 Comments

Hello everyone! I hope you’re having a great week so far! 😀 I just wanted to announce something I am very excited about. In fact, it has been hard not to spill the beans before now, although a few of my closest family and friends know. It’s TOUGH keeping a secret like this one! We’re having a baby, due on October 3rd!! We haven’t yet found out the sex of the baby but like any other time, we’ll be happy with whatever we have — boy or girl. My daughter Caitlin is 15, Isaac is almost 5, and Noah is […] Read more »

Email Me Your Race to Freedom Debt Information

Written by on · 5 Comments

This week I will be accepting debt information from all who wish to participate in Enemy of Debt's Race to Freedom. I will be doing this through the week and organizing it as more people sign up. Hopefully, I will have everything by Saturday. Next week, I would like to start this month's challenge. If you are interested in joining this friendly competition, be sure to sign up, then be sure to get me this info as soon as possible. Email me this information at freedom@enemyofdebt.com. Read more »