Hello everyone! I would like to introduce you to one of the readers here at Enemy of Debt. Her name is Kelsalynn and she has recently become debt free. She currently writes for kelsalynnfitlog, and she started out with $60,952 in debt with a minimum monthly payment total of $790. Now she is DEBT FREE and can feel the tremendous burden that has been lifted first hand. Her family has more options and her financial potential is remarkable.
Kelsalynn used some of the questions from an article I wrote that was intended to be like a self interview. I asked her if I could share with you her answers to those questions and she was more than willing to do so. Congratulations Kelsalynn! You rocked it with great intensity and focus and are an inspiration to many people because of it. Way to go!
The Enemy of Debt Questionnaire – by Kelsalynn
How does becoming debt free actually feel? Does it feel better than you imagined it would?
I let out a huge sigh. I mean, a HHHHUUUUGGGGEEEE sigh. I feel like so much weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Then a sly little smile creeped up on my face…
What were some of the struggles that you had to deal with along the way? Was there ever a time where you almost gave up?
I can honestly say no, we never almost gave up. We were going to become debt free, the only question was how quickly.
What would you consider to be the most important key to becoming debt free? What helped you the most?
Communication and discipline. I used to say that Michael and I were a good team because I did the numbers stuff and he did the health stuff … now I realize we’re a good team because WE’RE GREAT TOGETHER. We’re a good team because we support each other and we communicate.
It seems a lot of people have bought into the idea that debt is essential in order to prosper, what do you have to say to those people?
Wow. I thought so too. All I can say is that my entire perspective changed when I started SAVING to buy something versus PAYING for something I just bought on financing. Debt, to me, is a crutch… not something to be “leveraged” like everyone says.
What was the biggest sacrifice you would say you made in order to become debt free? What about you changed the most?
It’s funny… I’d say the biggest sacrifice was not buying a 2nd car after the accident and starting to bike to work. But now that it’s been that way for a while, I love it and don’t see it as a sacrifice at all.
The biggest change in me is my appreciation for what I have and how little I care now what people think. I had no idea how badly I suffered from “stuffitis”… if I wanted something, I’d go buy it. There was no such thing as “delayed gratification” with me. I did not save for something before running out and buying it, so I really did not appreciate what I had. When my behavior changed, my whole perspective changed. If I wanted something, it had to be budgeted and since we budget BEFORE the month begins, if it’s the 5th, I may have to wait 25 days… might not seem like a big deal, but it really made a big difference. I stopped trying to keep up with the Jones’ and I genuinely value the possessions I have.
Did your friends and family give you a hard time about your new mission to eliminate the debt from your life? If so how did you deal with it? Did I have skeptical friends? Do I think I inspired others by my journey?
It may be weird, but I didn’t tell my family about it. They don’t get it. They never will. I was even selective about which friends I told. Money is very personal. I didn’t want to sound preachy and part of this was selfish too. I didn’t want to tell anyone who wouldn’t be supportive. I didn’t need that.
I know I’ve heard from a few really good friends who have been inspired. Maybe not to the extreme that we were this past year, but even if I encouraged someone to look deeper into their financial situation or ask some tough questions, that’s a good thing.
What is next for you? What financial goals do you plan to accomplish?
Our next step in this financial journey is to establish an emergency fund. 3 months to start, then we’ll go from there. From here on out, we pay ourselves first. I can’t wait!
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So there you have it! Kelsalynn decided that getting rid of her debt was possible and she took action. You can learn from her. Many people are becoming debt free so do not for one second think that you cannot do the same. All you have to do is make the decision to be in control of your finances once and for all. There are many ways to do it and it is important that you believe in yourself. Forget about bankruptcy! Forget about consolidating! Forget about having someone else do it for you and do it yourself!!! BECOME DEBT FREE and find out for yourself why it is so much better than living paycheck to paycheck. Lift that added weight of bondage out of your life so you can have a life!! LIVE!
photo credit
Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader Series
Debt Free News: The Kick Off – Yours Truly @enemyofdebt
Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader #1 – Kelsalynn @KelsaLynnFitLog
Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader #2 – Nick @Nickfro
Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader #3 – Paul @fiscalgeek
More to come…
Great article! Love the inspiration and the word, “stuffitis” (should be a real American symptom!).
Kelsalynn , I currently own about as much as you do…slightly higher. I am curious as to how long it took you and your family to become debt free?
BTW, congratulation on the success you and your fam created. 🙂
So rad. If there is such thing as a global debt-free snowball you guys are living proof it’s rolling faster and faster.
the Dad
Congratulations, Kelsalynn! $60,000+ debt paid off? That’s an amazing accomplishment….
Pau
Congrats Kelsalynn! I wish I could say the same. Currently I am working on the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps and I’m just about done with step one saving $1000. Then I’m on to paying off my Chevy Tahoe.
The thing I’ve realized is that having a plan is not enough you need inspiration as well and your story helps in keeping me motivated and moving forward.
I look forward to defeating debt.
Congrats! I’m still chipping away at my school loans and needed a motivation boost.
Congratulations Kelsalynn! It’s a great motivator to see that you have become debt free!
Wow! Thanks everyone for the comments and thank you, Brad, for the post! I’m glad it was motivating for some of your readers!
This month we’ll be adding $5,225 to our emergency fund— more in a month than we ever able to pay toward our debt! I can’t wait to get the emergency fund in place.
Thanks again everyone!
Kelsalynn – Congrats! $60 K is a big NUT to pay off! How much did you pay off per month average?
Hi Financial Samuari, just now realized you posted a question. If it's not too late… here's some more info! Our average snowball was $3,966, which was 66% of our monthly income. We cut EVERYTHING out and our monthly living expenses were only 34%! 'Til this day, I'm not completely sure how we did it because that's a lot of money for us, but we took it one day/week/month at a time.