Not sure if interviewing yourself really counts as an interview. I thought it would be helpful to some to see what we struggled with and how we handled the task of becoming debt free. Furthermore, if you have any other questions for me feel free to ask them in the comment section. Happy Debt Free Friday! The Enemy of Debt Questionnaire – EOD Question 1: First of all how much debt have you paid off, and when did this journey begin? Are you completely 100% debt free, including the mortgage? We have paid off 26,076.75 and our journey began on […] Read more »
From Car Payment To Clunker To Upgrade
A Little History When we started our Total Money Makeover in January of 2008 with just over $25,000 in debt, not including our house, we made some extreme decisions. I only say extreme because most people looked at me like I was insane. The truth is that I was. I was insane to keep driving a car with a payment. We had a very nice 2004 Pontiac Vibe that we absolutely loved. It was a great car! The problem was that the car had a monthly price tag of $300 a month plus additional costs such as higher insurance and […] Read more »
My Mission Is To Be Debt Free And Fat Free
I Have Been Busy Hello everyone! Sorry about the slow week, but I hope to make up for it this week. I have been busy with other projects and was even able to take a trip down south to visit my sister and her beautiful children. (I even had a little trampoline fun while I was there.) I have some updates for you. Here’s what you can expect from Enemy Of Debt this week: Monday – I upgraded my car, and I am pretty excited to tell you about it. Yep, the blue rocket has been retired, but for good […] Read more »
Investing For Retirement – Do It Your Way!
Funding Your Retirement Should Be Exciting You have climbed the mountain and are at the top! You have eliminated your debt and now have your fully funded emergency fund in place. When life happens to you, you will be ready! I am proud of your persistence and determination because most people either cut corners, or decide to do nothing at all. Not you though! You are on a roll, and since momentum is on your side, there are some things you need to start doing to be ready for retirement. As some of you know, Dave Ramsey suggests that you […] Read more »
Debt Free Friday Presents: A Total Money Makeover Success Story
This is a very special guest post from Michael Sitarzewski, who in September of 2007, became debt free using Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. I found his post in a tweet on Twitter, and after reading it, asked if I could share his story with all of you. You can connect with him by visiting msitarzewski.com. I hope his story motivates and inspires all of you to think BIG! If he can do it, why can’t you? 50K in less than a year!! WOW! How We Got Out Of Debt: From $50k To $0 In Less Than A Year Posted […] Read more »
Have You Ever Had A DEBT FREE Christmas, And Will You Accept My Challenge?
An ‘Official’ Enemy Of Debt Challenge – Can You Have A Debt Free Christmas In 2009? You might think that a debt free Christmas is not possible, but it is! Very possible! You just have to think and behave differently with your money. With Christmas a little less than five months away, it’s time to start planning. Actually, the best time to start is around February in order to decrease “wallet shock”. (When you fund Christmas all in one month) We’ve all experienced it. It’s when we realize in the 11th hour Christmas is upon us. Usually it happens after […] Read more »
Million Dollar Club
I decided to join J. Money’s Million Dollar Club. Setting goals is the way to put your plans into motion. Brian Tracy says that a goal not written down typed out, is just a dream because it has no energy. You are definitely more likely to accomplish your goals if you put them down on paper. It gives you something to follow and each time you scratch an accomplishment off of the list, you gain motivation. Hmmm, that sounds familiar right? Your Total Money Makeover is the same kind of plan. You do each baby step, one step at a […] Read more »
The Dream Budget: Your Debt Free Potential! What’s Yours?
What is the “Dream” Budget? I have referred to this before in earlier posts, but I have never actually written a post about it. Basically a dream budget is the budget you would have IF you were completely debt free. That’s right, no car payment! No mortgage payment! No credit card payments! No debt at all! I always ask my Financial Peace University classes to do a dream budget. I believe that when you see how much you could do without debt in your life, it will inspire and motivate you to set that goal. This exercise should not […] Read more »
“Financial Independence” Ceremonial Speech
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 […] Read more »
Are You A Genuine, Or Conditional Giver?
This post is not only about becoming debt free, it’s also about charity and giving. This story triggered some questions for me, and I wanted to ask you what you thought about it. If you have ever watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition then you have seen many communities come together for families who needed some help. In 2006, “a Cincinnati home builder, a handful of Cynthiana contractors and everyone of that town’s subcontractors, churches, painters, drywallers, carpenters, restaurateurs and good-hearted others, to donate tons of materials, labor and time to help build a house for the Hassall family.“ Why Did […] Read more »
12 Steps To Debt Freedom
I am addicted to becoming and staying debt free! Are you addicted to becoming and staying debt free? If so, these are the principles and ideas that you would follow to achieve such a thing. You have probably heard about the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and how they really help these folks cope from day to day. I just created 12 principles very loosely based on those of AA, with a debt free spin. I really just got the idea of where and how to list them, and then I just started thinking of all the things one […] Read more »
Our Debt Is In Danger!
Watch us become debt free right here! DEBT EVERYWHERE is on the run! I posted a debt free progress chart about 3 months ago. Here is the current updated chart. When the green fills up the word “DEBT FREE“, not only will we be free, but so will our green. FREE to save, give, and invest without restraint. Last week we were able to pay down our remaining student loan debt by $3500. That was a huge win for us, and motivated us even more to knock the last little bit out. $4649 is in the sights, and has […] Read more »
Financial Peace University Comes To Charlottesville
It is now official! FPU is coming to Charlottesville, specifically to Trinity Presbyterian Church! The preview will be on July 20th at 6:00 p.m., and the classes will begin on August 3rd! During this time I will be using this blog to get the word out. Almost everything you see will have something to do with FPU. I have created my own video to start things off! ENJOY! UPDATE: We have obviously not reached our original goal of September of 2008. That goal was set based on everything working out perfectly. As you know that only happens in the movies. […] Read more »
The Debt Free Scream!
Hello everyone and welcome! I was reflecting on what gives me the most inspiration and encouragement to complete our Total Money Makeover, and I realized that the most emotional feeling derives from people calling in to the Dave Ramsey Show to scream they’re debt free!! Every time I hear a caller scream these 3 very powerful words it makes me imagine being there and what it feels like! Sometimes this means the eyes water up! Imagine with me for a second and think about screaming these three words. “WE’RE DEBT FREEEEEEEEEEE!” Imagine that is you! How do you feel? GREAT […] Read more »