Introduction
This couple is THROUGH with debt! It has now been eight months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt. They have agreed to share their Debt Freedom March with everyone in the hopes to inspire others to do the same!
Here is this month's update.
What went well this month?
Everything went well. We have really got a handle on our budget, and we don't seem to have many struggles.
Challenges and struggles this month?
We both are in sales, so sometimes we have extra money come in that is not budgeted. Our goal is to put that money toward debt. This month we had a little extra money, and we did not put it toward debt… we used it as play money. We want to work on this for the future so we can shorten our Debt Freedom date. But, we didn't beat ourselves up for it. We work hard and enjoyed doing a little extra spending this month. We expect a bonus or two next month, and we are going to try and put a little bit of it toward debt. Wish us luck!
Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …
Month By Month Progress …
What has helped you stay on this Debt Freedom March?
There are several reasons why we have stuck to the plan. The Debt Freedom March has provided structure for our money. We have enjoyed paying our bills all at one time and not having to worry about paying bills again until the next month. We never worry about having "unexpected expenses" because we have the "known upcoming expenses" account set up. Another bonus is we don't noticed "pay day" anymore because we are not living paycheck to paycheck. All in all, this plan helps us feel in control of our money and our future. We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that keeps us going along. We are looking forward to being debt free, and there is no way we are going to stop now.
How has this Debt Freedom March impacted your marriage relationship?
Luckily, we have always had the same view about how we spend our money and what we want for the future. Believe it or not… we have never fought about money. So, I guess I would have to say the debt freedom plan has helped us work as a team and look toward our future in a different way. We see ourselves having the life we want without the headache of worrying how we are going to pay for it. I am sure it has impacted us in other ways that we are not aware of at this time. But, I have no doubt that we will be able to look back in 10 years and see that sticking to the Debt Freedom March impacted our lives more that we could have ever imagined.
Sangl says …
Nine months ago, Couple #2 caught a vision of what life could be like without payments. In this nine month period, they have been able to knock fifteen months off their Debt Freedom Date! At this current rate, they will become debt-free in around eighteen months (January 2010) and it will have taken them only 27 months total to do it!
When they become debt-free, they will have freed up $1,775 in take-home pay every single month! How much does one have to earn to bring home $1,775? About $2,500 if their total tax rate is 30%! This means that they are going to give themselves a $30,000/year raise in about eighteen months!
I love this stuff!
Readers …
How much do you send to debt each month? Why not pay it off and give yourself a massive pay raise?
You can do this too! I share my story and teach these tools in my book,
This stuff FIRES ME UP!!!!