Being Debt Free is NOT the Goal

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I recently registered for the Twin Cities marathon, which will be held in October of this year. It will be my third marathon, so I’ve been through the training before. However, as a refresher, I dusted off a marathon training book I had purchased several years ago and began reading. The first chapter is quite inspirational. It reflects upon the time and effort it takes to train for a marathon. By the time race day arrives, months of work have been put in, and hundreds of miles have been logged in preparation of the big event. The thing that stands […] Read more »

Is Blood Thicker than Inheritance Money?

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According to study by the AARP roughly 2/3 of baby boomers are expecting some sort of an inheritance and are spending it before they even have it. They dig deep holes of debt with inheritance money in the back of their mind; failing to understand using inheritance money to pay off debt is not a sound financial plan. In fact inheritances often don’t turn out the way those expecting them think they should. A Family Torn I have a friend who recently had a grandmother pass away. Her frugal lifestyle and previously deceased husband’s good business sense left her with […] Read more »

Investing — Medically Speaking

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Investing is like medicine. If you want to lose weight, any doctor can offer medically proven suggestions such as reducing calories and/or increasing exercise. If you want to grow your portfolio, over time, any professional can offer recommendations to help you by increasing your investments in the market and helping you remain invested when times are tough. But, neither doctors nor investment professionals can help everyone. Imagine a man telling his doctor he wants to lose 30 pounds without exercise and to include a dozen donuts per day in his weight loss plan. You can imagine the doctor’s response. It […] Read more »

Do Our Parents Money Decisions Define Us?

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From a young age I was given the ability to choose how I would spend my money. I was raised in a “typical” family unit with two hard working parents and a younger sibling. We weren’t rich, we weren’t poor we were considered middle class, I suppose. My dad worked long hours as a small business owner (he was a mechanic) and my mom worked part-time so she could take care of us. The family business was passed onto him by my grandfather who came to the states with nothing except the clothes on his back. Read more »

Debt Free News #20 – Jenny of Ex-Consumer

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Guess what folks! Debt Free Friday is back and today I want to congratulate Jenny from Ex-Consumer, and her husband for becoming debt free! Woo-hoo! That is awesome news for sure. For all of you debt free enthusiast out there, I hope you take the time to read this story of hope and freedom. Be inspired by Jenny and all those who came before her! You’re NEXT! Make your plan to become debt free and get down to business! We’ll all be rooting for you here at Enemy of Debt so be sure to drop by for motivation and some […] Read more »

The Resurrection of My Debt Free News From Debt Free Readers Series

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Do you miss reading stories about regular everyday people becoming debt free? I do, which is why I want to try and get that series up and running again. I haven’t had a Debt Free News submission in quite some time, but I find it hard to believe that it’s because no one else has become debt free. Are you debt free? Share your story by answering a few short questions about your debt free journey so your experience may inspire someone else to start their own. The good news is you don’t have to wait for another submission to […] Read more »

Enemy of Debt’s 2011 Race to Freedom

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Happy Monday everyone!! I apologize for taking so long to update you on the "Reality Series"! I was hoping to do so on Friday of last week but ended up battling a power outage due to high winds. The main delay, however, was in trying to work out possible sponsorship. I didn't want to move forward until I found out where I was and now I know. Unfortunately, I was only able to get one company excited about the prospects of my reality series idea. I would like to thank Perkstreet Financial for believing in my very spontaneous and highly ambitious project. (YOU GUYS ROCK!) Unfortunately, in order for it to work in the long term, I needed to have more sponsors on board. Needless to say, sponsorship was a bust this time around. Read more »

Readers and Contestants: Want to Help Me Make This the Most Awesome Reality Series Ever?

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Okay, I’ve been racking my brain about this reality series idea. The more I brainstorm the more awesome I know it will be. I need your help though, and I am giving away THREE BOOKS to the reader who helps me come up with a name for this reality series!! I NEED YOUR HELP! Here’s what I have (that I can reveal) and what I need from you — my loyal debt hating readers and soon-to-be audience members of the greatest blog reality series in blog history. 😀 What I Know (subject to change as new ideas or challenges arise.) […] Read more »

Debt Elimination Reality Series Questionnaire: How Determined Are You?

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Welcome to a new week! As you know, I am working on an idea I have regarding a reality series here on Enemy of Debt. I am completely overwhelmed by ALL OF YOU who are seriously interested and I’m super excited about the potential this idea has for a variety of reasons. Thank you for the enormous response I received from last week’s post! Here’s why I am so excited! Enemy of Debt will get some extra exposure, which will in turn lead to more people getting out of debt! 😀 The contestants will be motivated by their very real […] Read more »

The Super-Charged Guide to Financial Freedom Review

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How do you increase the likelihood of you completing your financial resolutions? Reading! That’s right! Reading a book, or books related to the goals you want to accomplish increases the chance that you will succeed. That’s not to say you’ll accomplish what you set out to accomplish by simply reading a book. The book acts as a resource to teach you new ideas, but it also helps you stay motivated with your “eye on the prize!” Depending on your goal, it may take more than one book to help you cross the finish line. I read The Total Money Makeover […] Read more »

Looking for 4-6 People Who Are DETERMINED to Pay off Debt in 2011!

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Hi everyone! I have an idea — something never done before on a blog — as far as I know. Think of it as the collision of Enemy of Debt and Reality Television (without the television). A reality show blog style? YES! I’m working out the details as we speak, but first need to find 4-6 of the most determined, focused, and motivated people that have decided to pay off debt in 2011! ONLY SERIOUS people need apply! I am wanting to officially launch this by the end of February or March at the latest. Nine or ten months of […] Read more »

Do You Suffer From (SAD) Stuff Attachment Disorder?

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Photo Credit: paalia Have you made the smart resolution to work on becoming debt free in 2011? If so, congratulations! As many of you know, making the resolution is just the beginning. Resolutions are easy to make, but unfortunately they’re even easier to break. I’ve broken resolutions myself as I’m sure you have too. In the beginning, you’re pumped up about your decision to do whatever it is that you’ve decided to do, but once life, time constraints, and a lack of discipline get in the way, that motivation wanes and we find ourselves giving up on our desire to […] Read more »

4 Personal Development Authors That Have Helped Me Grow

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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 […] Read more »

Changing Your Behavior Requires A Paradigm Shift

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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 […] Read more »