Well, first off let me offer my congratulations! Making the decision to get out of debt was one of the best decisions that I made in my life. But getting (and staying) out of debt is hard work! Don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t.
On the journey to rid your life of debt there are going to be ups and downs. There will be times that you want to give up and just live a “normal” debt-filled life like everyone else. During those times when you are frustrated and want to throw your budget out the window, it is imperative that you remember theSo before we jump into the nitty-gritty of personal finance, let’s explore the why.
So, the Big Question is “Why do you want to be debt-free”?
Please share your reasons and motivation below!
I’m excited to help you on this amazing journey to becoming debt-free.
I started my debt free journey so that I could reclaim my freedom and take back control of my money. I was sick of sending my hard earned dollars out of my household to debt payments. My goal is to achieve a $1.3 million dollar net worth by the time I am 43. I am motivated by my desire to leave a legacy for my 3 children.
I can sum up my reason by one word “SECURITY”, knowing that getting in control of my money will give me security. I would be able to do things that are important to me and my family without having to worry about meeting our basis necessities and not having the feeling of my debts are controlling what we can and cannot do.
Hey Uline! I completely agree. It is so hard to focus on building wealth for the future when you can’t see past the stress and worry of the day to day grind.
Getting behind on payments. Just became a homeowner and now have more Bills than ever. Want to reduce payments and pay off debt. To where we as a family can actually have vacation money, save for rainy days and for retirement.
Thanks for sharing your why Sara!
In short my why so so i can give and serve. Rite now i am only serving my self and my family.
Also,I have a calling that the Lord is preparing me for. And before i can start what He will need me to do, I must have my self amd finances in order.
Hello I remember how tough it was going through the 2008 recession. I thought that I was going to lose my home. Hours were cut at work. But I was lucky. I have always kept a part time job. So I just cut back on everything. I got through it on my own. Happy to say I am still in my home today. I will be ready for the recession.
I didn’t use the best judgment with money I received after the sell of the house in my divorce. I hadn’t previously learned about fiscal responsibility, so I am ready to grow up and become more comfortable with my finances.
I want to be debt free, because I want to enjoy my life with my family without the stress of debt on my shoulders. Most importantly, I want to invest in my son’s future as much as I can.
My sick and tired of being sick and tired started in 2015 just blowing money on stuff for me and my son, and I could have paid off debt with that money, so in 2016 I took Dave Ramsey financial Peace class and from then I bust my butt, paying off this debt. December 27th 2017 I’m now Debt free!!!! Thank you Lord!! 🙂
Congratulations Lisa!!
My husband and I have spent no time together, we spend most of time working to pay off credit cards and student loans. Due to the fact that we work so much we eat our alot, sometimes to the tune of $800 per month. This has got to change.
Hi Sheila. Thank you for sharing. Do you do any meal plan and prep? That may help with the eating out especially for lunches.
As I get older and look back on my life, it has pretty much been a struggle with debt. I finally realized I want to live a life without debt. Being able to have control over my finances and being able to keep more if what I make.
Thanks for sharing Marsha! I agree with you on that!!
I started initially saving to prepare for my retirement from the military and wishing to be uneccessary indebtness free. Also purchasing a property for investment purposes and feeling uneasy feeling of wether I was making the right choice financially
I am taking this journey to financial freedom so that I can teach my niece and nephews how to handle and manage their finances and not live with the burden and stress that we currently live with.
I am not in debt. However, I don’t own a home nor do I own a car. I am 50 and don’t think that owning a home is necessary for me anymore so I plan to continue to rent. I have significant investments but that is due to my mom who passed away 4 years ago. I want to take control of MY finances!
Hey Christel! I hear you on home ownership. It can be such a hassle and housing prices where I live on the East Coast are ridiculously priced. Rent prices are not far behind. For me homeownership is more about stability for the kids but it is a definite trade off- my dollars could be better invested in the market.
I am taking this journey to financial freedom because me and my husband are sick and tired of living paycheck to paycheck and most of our income money goes to debt. I want to create a life for my family where debt doesn’t exist.
I absolutely do not want to get married with debt so since i am single in school and still in control f my schedule i figure i would obey the word of God that says that we should be debt free. I am honestly sick and tired of debt and i want to achieve that dream of buying a house and a car all in cash. I want to accumulate money and not debts.
I want to be debt free so that I can live comfortably and not be “house poor” like most of my peers when buying my 1st home.
I am sick of being held in bondage in debt. My husband and I want to break the cycle of living pay check to pay check. We want to leave an inheritance for our children’s children and teach our sons and daughter how to manage money. How can we do that if we are living pay check to pay check with no savings. We want to be homeowners so bad and get away from renting. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender – Proverbs 22:7. I declare that we will no longer be slaves to lenders! We want to be FREE! We want to be able to freely give and help others without feeling sad about not being able to give. We want security! Most of all we want a healthy relationship with money.
I want to become debt free so I can have money for me, rather than giving it to the banks which I am giving them a paycheck. Being able to save $10,000 in my saving account as an emergency for the first time in life. I am little great to have at $3400 saved in my savings. I have only $3900 in my 401k and I have 30 years left until I retire therefore I need to get out of debt fast.
easy security for me and my daughter.
I wanna be debt free so I can enjoy my life and have freedom to control my money for what I want to do..I’m tired of being broke and living paycheck to paycheck .
Congrats on starting the journey Shantele! Thanks for sharing your ‘why’.
I want to be debt free because I no longer want to be a slave to it. Also, I want to be able to save more money to pay cash for many things such as a house rather than relying on others’ money.
Thanks for sharing your ‘Why’! I couldn’t agree more. I hate owing money to people. All the best on your journey. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions along the way.
I am starting to challenge because I want to make sure I am being a great steward of what God has blessed my family with. I want to make sure I am able to do God’s work and being pinned down with debt it is hard to do so. I want to be a blessing to others and be able to be free…
Thanks for sharing your why Joshua!
I want to be debt free so i can feel glad to wake up in the morning. I would not be a slave to lenders and be able to feel free if I lose my job.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’. All the best on your journey to financial freedom!
Hello Nicole, this for all your teaching and honesty about your life with debt and your journey to turn it around. I lost everything through a marriage and living in a foreign country I had no control, (my x-husbands ) country. Over the past 10 years I remarried and my 2nd husband died of a heart attact. Over the past three years I am paying off debt and my last struggle is my home and my car. I am encouraged to become debt free through your help! Thxs
Being debtfree is liberating and empowering. I eat, sleep and envision my life without debt. To me being debtfree gives you a total peace of mind knowing that you are not indebted to no one. The borrower is servant to the lender. Being a servant is not what God has purposed for me. I am on this journey to inspire and motivate others to become intentional about debt freedom. Who the son sets free is free indeed. Walking in freedom!
Thanks for sharing your why Paula!
Because I am who I am, I need to be financially secure because my employment is always on shaking ground. I have 4 degrees and still can’t depend on a stable financial future. I have to build that for myself. I mean to this date I have had IRA’s and glad they were there in place when the end of employment happened. However, I did live my life by traveling and taking care of myself and home. I put my daughter through college so that she would not have the student loan debt. I still have mine. But I am starting over again and information and tips and a community of like minded people to see me through. I want to payoff my condo.
I also want to leave a legacy fir my kids and Grandchildren
I decied to do this to become debt free and to live a more enjoyable life. I’m to the point where im tired of living pay check to pay check. I also want to learn how to be better with my money. I want to be able to save money in case of an emergency. So my goal for this year is to become debt free and save at least 2000 this year. I find your video so inspiring, thanks for all you do.
Hi Lynda! Thank you for your kind words of support and for sharing your ‘why’. Those are great goals! I hope that 2019 will be a great year and that you accomplish all that you set out to accomplish.
To reclaim my freedom; be comfortable in my retirement; to leave a good financial legacy to my child; to be able to give freely.
Thanks for sharing your why! I’m with you on leaving a legacy. My children are a big part of my motivation.
It is so stressful to be in debt. It’s like you are in chains and can’t enjoy or plan your life thinking of the debt. It’s like a label on your forehead. I just want to be free and enjoy my life. It is so binding.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Lillian. Debt can certainly block us from living the types of lives that we want to lead. Congratulations on deciding to start a financial freedom journey.
Hi Nicole i want to learn how to take care if myself n not depend on anyone ever again
Thanks for sharing Rhonda! Tackling your finances is empowering and will help you get to that place of independence.
I’m half way my 50’s and my retirement is not were I want it to be. My husband and I are in a financial crisis! Most importantly, I’m sick and tired of working hard and not reaping the benefits!
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ BJ. Congrats on getting started now, it’s not too late to implement some changes to secure your financial life moving forward.
I no longer wanted to be a slave to the lender. I desire the freedom to live in total financial peace.
Why I want to be financially free/debt free is because I am tired of struggling, not being able to give to help others who are need, tired of having things that I need taken from me due to my not being able to make monthly payments in a timely manner, not being able to save for emergencies, the list of whys can go on and on.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Chandra!
My husband died 2 years ago and I must make my own decisions with no partner in life. I am embarking on a new life and want to do the right thing for my future so I can enjoy my kids and grandkids, and not have to depend on anyone else financially.
Hi Emily, Thanks for sharing your financial ‘why’. I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. I applaud you for taking charge of your finances so that you can secure your future.
I want to reclaim my financial independence and have peace of mind while building a legacy for my children.
I’m tired of not being financially prepared. I want to have savings built up and not feel like I need to run and get a loan everytime I have money issues.
Welcome Shanice! Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ with us.
I want to be debt free because I am tired of living paycheck to paycheck. I am aging and want to prepare for my retirement. This is hard to do knowing I have large amounts of debt. Paying off the debt and remaining debt free can bring freedom, stability, and security in my retirement. I want to be able to travel and enjoy retirement without worrying about lack of money. This is my motivation to rid myself of debt and save for my retirement.
Thanks so much for sharing with us Jean!
I’m so happy I came across this very informative and passion based site and platform. I’m close to retirement but I know it’s never too late.
My why is that I’m fed up with just “getting by”. I have worked to hard and it’s time that I am beyond stable with my finances.
I’ve had a taste of what my life can be once it’s organized and I set my goals in motion. My why is that I can do way more for myself and my family.
To gain emotional freedom from the shame of allowing bad money and personal values to stop my growth. I want to build a healthy relationship with money. Also gain a willingness to self educate and network with others who are handling there money correctly. Peace in all areas of my life is my goal in 2018. NO MORE DRAMA OR IMPULSIVE PURCHASE!!!
Thanks for sharing Eisha! I love it! Education is huge. I am on a mission to read every personal finance book in my local library!
To have confidence, be calmer and know that nothing that happens in life will catch me off guard. learn to manage money and save enough to travel different places in the world, retire with dignity and be able to pass on my knowledge and leave a legacy to my children and that they do with their children.
Wonderful motivation Luis! Thanks for sharing.
Good Morning Nicole! Happy New Year! To Reclaim My Freedom, And Take Back Control Of My Money. Stop Living From Pay To Pay, Trying To Learn How To Budget My Money Without Crying Over Having No Money. I Want To Buy A House, Car, Go Back To School Just A lot I Want To Do. Thank you, Nicole For Helping Us Out Love You!
Thank you so much Tiffany!!Glad to help!
I’m sick and tired of living pay check to pay check with everything I make going to bills. This is the year I declare my financial freedom!
I started my journey when I realized I was spending more than saving I was saving. I had counted over $400 spent within a two week time frame on fast food. I knew that that money I spent could’ve been used towards a number of things.
I want to be debt free so that I have more freedom with my money. I want to be a homeowner, I want to build an emergency fund, and I want to invest. I’ve made terrible financial decisions and I want to finally educate myself on how to become money smart.
I’m starting my debts free challenge so, I can stay out of debts, and learn how to control my finances. I have a very bad shopping habits I would like to put stop to, this 2018.
I started my debt free journey last summer after taking the Dave Ramsey course at my church. I have always wanted to start a home bakery business but there was no way I could achieve that if I was swimming in debt. Also I just wanted to have some money left over after I paid bills every month. I had just enough money for bills and nothing else. I don’t know why but I SUPER excited about 2018!!
I am a Registered nurse. I have worked my way from CNA, LPN, and now RN, BSN (by the time my son was 7/first in my family).
I had to take loans to complete my degree, which, I am not proud of, BUT I am very very grateful to have completed it. I LOVE nursing!
I have always been frugal but without a written budget until last year .
Anyway, last year (May,2017) it dawn on me that I had not saved over the last 10 years (after completing my RN degree) for my son’s college. He has a 4.5 in his high school/on campus college courses. He has the potential to do something great and I had not planned for that.
I thought, I can not change he past but I can reshape my/our future. So, I picked my head up and started my journey that day!!
I want him to have a little better start than I had financially. Even if, for some reason, I can’t pay for his college, I want to show him how to correctly manage his money. It doesn’t matter what he decides to become in life, he needs to know that debt isn’t part of God’s plan for anyone.
FYI: (he has shadowed several surgeons and thinks he would love that career path) All those Loans though!
May God bless us on our journey. I pray we all have prosperous and Happy New Year!
Rita
I am able to manage my funds for the most part. However, I would like to start my own business one day and get out of the 8-5 grind. I have a child and in about 5 years I want to be able to stay home. I need to stop eating out and spending on things I don’t need for a goal save larger amounts of money!
I want to get out the land of payments ! I am also holding myself more accountable for my finances looking back I could of definitely been debt free. I really want to set and example for my family and friends that it can be done but I know it must start with me
Hi there. Happy new year to all
I’m sick of not being able to do the things i want to do e.g. following a first aid course, traveling, getting my driving licence. That feeling of being enslaved is choking me.
I also want to be able to help others the way they deserve to be helped e.g. education, courses, groceries.
I just want my feedom back.
I’m on the 4 year plan to retirement. And starting out behind. No, one on any of my past jobs told me that I could over my 401K plan. So, I cashed out all of my fund. My Ex was in the Air Force, so we moved a lot. I had nice jobs with 401K, but I did know to over them over. I’m saving and paying off some CC’s. I hope to save at least $10,000.00 in 4 years. I have already start working thing around my home.
I want to be debt free because I’m tired of working and not having anything to show for it… I love what I do and I work too hard to not be able to do things when I want to do them because I have no money or because it’s not a “pay week”
My ultimate goal is financial freedom by creating several streams of income as opposed to relying on my employer. I think the first step to this long term goal is budgeting in order to reduce expenses, maximize savings, pay off credit card and student loan debt and create an emergency fund. It would also be nice to have a travel fund and live a little along the way.
I finally woke up one day (May2017) after receiving my paycheck and realizing that it was all spent on mostly credit cards. It finally hit me.
I’m on Teacher salary, renting and barely have a dollar in my pocket!
That moment was eye opening and I vowed to change it. Today, I am currently debt FREE, on a budget and saving towards becoming a first time home owner. I want to be debt free because it gives me peace of mind. I want to do better and set a positive influence on my future children. That’s why I want to become/stay debt free
I want to stop living pay check to pay check – after each pay period I have nothing, can’t even go out with friends, and family, behind on most of my bills, and have more bank insufficient funds every week in order to pay some bills that my check did not cover, please any help will do. Thanks, Happy New
Gloria
I no longer want to live paycheck to paycheck. I’m still fairly young with no children yet keep having negative balances in my bank account. I am going to work on sticking to my budget and cutting excess spending. I also plan to raise my credit score this year.
I want to stop living paycheck to paycheck and not be up at night worrying about bills. At one point it had gotten so bad that I kept my phone ringer off so I won’t hear when debt collectors call my phone. I want to save up an emergency fund and start saving for a down payment on a house.
We started this debt free challenge because we would like to buy a house. After sitting down with a lender seeing how much we were approved for but then going through what we can actually “OFFORD” was the eye opener for us! We consolidated all of our debt and only have one payment and we would like to keep it that way and hopefully pay it off before scheduled! Our financial goal is to learn to control our financiaces so that we can pay off our debt faster and start saving and buy our 1st home!!
Happy New Year! I’m on this financial journey because I want to be sure I can take my parents as they age. I also want to know that I have the resources to take care of myself.
I am just turning 40 on the 15th of January. I want to be debt free so I can buy a house. We have 5 kids and I want to be able to help them through college and be able to travel when they leave. Also to build wealth so I can leave a legacy for them.
Beginning the year of 2018 and going forward: I want to stop living paycheck to paycheck, have a healthier relationship With money, build an emergency fund, and be intentional about educating myself about finances. I would also like to retire comfortably before the standard retirement age.
I want to get out of debt, so i can work less and travel the world. I am tired of being the slave.
Good Afternoon & Happy New Year. I want to be debt free because I’m tired of living pay check to pay check. My goal is to be debt free by July and I’M GOING TO DO IT. I know it’s going to take a lot of sacrifice but I’m willing to do it. DEBT SUCKS and once I’m out I plan on staying OUT.
I’m starting my debtfree journey becauseI’m tired of working just to pay someone else. I want to earn money and actually keep it… I’ve worked for it!
Being debt free is waaaay over do for me. I could have been so long ago, but better late than never.I don’t want the stress of it in my life anymore. Now that I’m a Mom I want to teach my daughter the right way to handle her finances. I wasn’t taught so I definitely don’t want that cycle to continue.Someday soon I would like to become a Home Owner.
We started this journey in June 2017 after feeling like everything we made was going to payments and I was sick and tired of handling the “budget” alone. The stress was killing me! We started budgeting together, paid off some medical debt, started saving regularly, and working together towards financial goals. We still have a long way to go, but I’m proud of and motivated by the progress we’ve made so far!
To me, this is the hardest question to answer. Your why should motivate, redirect, and inspire you to stay on track.
I have changed my why a thousands times. I have bargained with it to justify blowing the budget. Talked myself into purchases that I should have said no to. I was under the impression that one why is all you need to stop you from going on a Target run but that’s not the case for me. I need several whys. I want to be debt free so that I can be a resource for the Kingdom of God. I want to be able to have money saved for my son when he goes to college. I want to leave an inheritance to my children’s children. I want to change my family tree. I want to be millionaire. I want to be a blessing to others. Being debt free will allow me to have options.
I want to be debt free so that I can save more for my future. I want to have better control of where my money is going. I feel that if I get control of my money, I will get control of my life. I don’t want to be fearful of the unknown (losing a job, emergencies, etc) because I’m overly dependent on a credit card.
Thanks for this challenge Nicole! Well my “Why” is that I had a very bad financial year for 2017. I made horrible financial decisions. I started a home remodel on credit and I depended on a my side hustle to pay for the credit. All because I wanted it done immediately. I am a nurse, so I am able to work contract agency, which pays excellent when there is work and patients are in the hospital sick. In the summer time there are times where the hospitals have low census and they don’t need extra nurses, which is what happened this summer. So I racked up all of that credit debt and didn’t have the extra money to pay it off like i wanted to. Then Hurricane Harvey came and my air conditioner decided to go out right in the middle of the storm. That was another $2500 bill that I had to create, because no one lives in Houston without air conditioning LOL! But if I had an emergency fund I could have at least paid for that and not create another bill. I have to get it together!!
I want to be able to travel and adopt. I feel that I have lost opportunities due to lack of money.
I want to retire with pride. I am a teacher and I don’t won’t to be 100 years old teaching because I don’t have the money to retire.
I want to be debt free, so that I can be free to do what I enjoy and be free to do what really needs to be done. A lot of important things need my financial support and attention; however, my debt limits that.
Tired of working jobs that I do not love but have to stick with just because I need the xtra money. Becoming financially free would allow me to do what I love even if it does not pay a whole lot. Feeling trapped in a job is the worst feeling ever. Well I am ready to change all of that by any means necessary. 2018 will consist of more financial reading and research, creating multiple streams of income and saving for my goal of 15,000 for the year.
Well I want to be debt free so i can stop feeling like i am constantly being punished for being irresponsible financially and i want to get control of my financial life so i can make life better for my family.
I would like to ne debt free so I can spend money on the things I enjoy instead of cc bills, or a care note. I would like to have financial freedom, and to stop worrying about what credit card is due in what date, I want them all paid off, and learn to be responsible. I also want to start a business.
My “why” to becoming debt free may be a little unusual, but my desire is to grow my spiritual relationship (I am a Christian) and I would love to have more time to fellowship with God and to serve my community. Becoming debt free will give me the opportunity to achieve this ultimate goal. As well, I would have resources to help those who are less fortunate.
I’m in my 30s and my 65 year old boss talks to me about money sometimes. He has investments, two buildings in desirable locations, a business, etc. He really inspired (guilted) me to realize that I needed to get out of debt and start building wealth for the future. If I start now, I hope that I will be quite financially secure when I am in my 60s. As a teen, I worried about the way my parents spent money. I want to someday be free from constant worrying about money!
Being debt free will put me one step closer to financial freedom and enable me to retire early.
I want to be debt free because I’m sick and tired of giving my hard earned money to credit companies and the like. I would like to be able to utilize that money to invest and give. Further, I want to have peace of mind about my finances and not worry about it constantly. Essentially, be a better steward over my finances.
I want to be debt free so that I can aggressively save money. I look at the amount if money that goes out every month to pay debt and I feel sick! If only I could save that money it would give me a feeling of a safety net for life’s “problems” and surprises as well as not making me feel like I’m in a never ending cycle of working hard just to pay bills I am more focused now and have paid off 3 debts that I refused to bring I to the new year so I plan to use that same tenacity along with tips from frugalchiclife to tackle my remaining debt. I will travel this summer with no feelings of guilt or regret!
I want to become debt free so that I can experience the freedom of living life and not living to pay man for the financial rut I created. My husband and I want to build financial house of stability security and being content to enjoy our home and what really matters. We want to show or children to be educated in staying out of debt to be free to give live and enjoy life!
I want to be debt free so that I can aggressively save money .when I look at the amount of money that goes out every month to pay debt I feel sick! If only I could save that money I would have a safety net for life’s “problems “. I have gotten off to a good start. I have paid off 3 debts that I just refused to carry into 2018. I plan on using that same tenacity along with tips from frugalchiclife to tackle my remaining debt. I’m giving myself 6 months. I will travel this summer with no feelings of guilt or regret on what I should have spent the money on or what bills are waiting for me when I return!
I’m sick and tired and tired and sick of being a slave to debt. My why: I want to have the financial freedom to control my own destiny! I need to know that financially I’m okay. I hate cringing when my phone ring. I hate going to the mail box thinking what’s next. Sitting in my home hoping that no more bills comes.
Debt is stealing from the wealth of your future. So, I want a future where I am financially independent which allows me to be more of who I am: a giver, a world traveler, and one who enjoys experiencing the fullness of life through experiences and stories.
I love it Nikisha!! Thanks for sharing.
That’s beautiful! This resonated me and it’s exactly how I want to be!
Happy New Year,
My why for wanting financial freedom is my mother and son. Both are dear to my heart and I want to be able to take of my mother as she is getting older. My son just started college and is doing well, I want to help him pay for college without taking out loans. Also, I’m at the point of my life where I’m sick and tried of not having enough money to cover my bills and any left over to help people in need. I am a giving person who wants to be able to bless my community.
I want to be debt free because I want to retire when I want too. I started saving for my retirement late; just thinking about living on social security is scary.
I want to be debt free so I can one finally fulfill my dream of owning real estate and two build wealth for my son and future grandchildren. I want to be able to not only pass on my wealth but pass on my knowledge of wealth building. I want stability,security, and peace of mind.
My why’s: I want to show my kids the right way. I want my church family to know that it’s possible. I want my mom to know that any class of person can be free and living the life of their dreams. I want that cow Sallie Mae out of house. I want to enjoy vacations and do any activity I want while on them. I want to quit my well paying job that I hate and work wherever I want. I want to be able to give as easily as I breathe (cars, at least one paid for house in my lifetime, groceries, trips, pay rent, etc).
I started my debt free journey 1 year ago paying of my car. In the last year I was able to pay of 3 of my 9 student loans. I have good momentum and want to keep it up (trying not to get comfortable in any way with my debt). Ultimately, I want to be debt free, build my net worth and build generational wealth. I don’t want my future children to have to take out school debt at all!
I want to be debt free for my kids to live a life without the stress i have endured. I do not want to feel like I need a 9-5 to support my family at all times when I have bigger dreams in life. I want more time with my kids and not have to depend on anyone to help or finance me to help me in my journey. My kids deserve more!
Hey everyone! I’ve had to think about this for a while. I’m good at managing other peoples money but not my own. I work in accounting at a decent sized company and love money, but with my own, its like a black hole. I had that sort of head in the sand mentality and for some crazy reason assumed back when I was spending money on stupid stuff, I just “knew” it’d all work out. Well fast forward and I hit the bottom of that black hole. I’m now scratching my way out, and picked up a part time job, but now I want to get out of debt and stay out!
I want to be debt free for me of course but for my children. Making sure that the future is bright for them by having a college fund or money save where they can go and buy their first car. I want to be a homeowner and have control of my finances. To gain the knowledge of money and being able to not have to live paycheck to paycheck. To know how to really save and invest not just spend on my wants.
I want to be debt-free so i can begin to save more money, invest a portion of those funds to help build generational wealth for me and my family. I want to ensure that my mother is taken care of as well as my future children and grandchildren.
To gain financial freedom and stop living pay check to pay check.
I just want to be able to breath. I’m a stay-at-home, homeschooling Mom of three. Husband and I paid off the last of our consumer debt in August of 2017. We are currently renting a very small apartment and we have a rental property that was a former home that we ended up upside down in. Hoping to sell it at the end of this year. The property is in Anchorage and we are in Texas. We haven’t even seen it in 6.5 years. We’ve done a lot of stupid and we’ve worked hard to turn it around, but I can’t relax because we have such a long, long way to go. Housing is high here and our margins are tight even without the debt.
My husband and and I live paycheck to paycheck and we shouldn’t. God has blessed us with great incomes. We want financial freedom. The stress of robbing Peter to pay Paul is overwhelming! I want freedom from our debt and to not be a slave to it anymore. We also want to buy our first house and we know that have to have control of our finances before we get there.
I want to be debt free so that I can enjoy financial freedom. I do not want to be attached to a financial institution or career if my passion moves me in another direction. I need to be debt free so that I can focus my attention on saving for what is most important – family, security and fun. I am not sure if I feel enslaved by my debt, that may be a bit harsh. I see it more as I am running a marathon and the debt is weight slowing me down to a walk. I would say I was once dependent on needing to borrow and getting into debt, I do not regret that. Now I just need to get this burden I am carrying off. When I am better able to save for what is more important in my life I believe it will feel like a stage in this financial race has ended, I can move faster. All new possibilities are yet to be discovered or even considered.
I’m committed to being debt free in order to live a life that is just that, free. I want to be able to be the person that my family members can depend on when there’s a need. I want to be able to break the habit of bad financial management that runs rampant in my family and to help them to replace them with knowledge so that we can all build wealth. I want each of us to have the peace of mind and stability that God has already designed for us to have by just being good stewards over the blessings that he’s given to us.
I want financial freedom, be able to take family vacations, and leave a debt free legacy for my children. I will also like to help others in need. Thanks!
I want to be debt free because I’m tired of financial bondage, stress and living pay check to pay check! I wanted to be able to save, invest and help my family in time of need. I want to learn more abs travel! I want to chart a different path for my son! My motivation for getting out of debt is my thoughts and dreams and the feeling of financial freedom..
As a single mother I realized I was drowning in debt. I work full time and have a good job but I was heavily relying on credit cards. Everytime I got paid I was putting at least 800$ on 9 different debts not including my car and it wasn’t even making a dent. I thought to myself I’m tired of 800$ going right out the door every time I get paid. I could use this money for something else. Having that much debt (around 12,000) in just credit cards/ personal loans not including my 2 car loans in my name 🙁 I knew JT was time to make a change. That’s when I discovered Dave Ramsey and the YouTube Finance people I loved watching and started this journey.
Today I am living pay check to pay check not happy at all I have never had credit cards. but have a couple of loans and a mountain of medical bills. NOW at this point of my life, i always wanted financial security. Which sees to be always slipping out the door for one reason
or other.
Hi Nicole! Yes, I want to be debt-free. I want to be debt-free because I want to have a feeling of security as I get older. I just turned 30 and I have a decent career in healthcare, but I have nothing to show for it, except for debt. And due to a few of those debts I was unable to further my education last year. I am at a standstill, so I am here to be proactive in changing that. Thank you for all that you’re doing. May God bless you and your family this year and in the years to come!
Hi, Nicole! My reason for wanting to be debt free is that I’m very tired of living check to check and not having anything to show for all the hard earned money! Ready to get things together for once in my life! To be able do things that my heart desires like travel! Just to have peace of mind!
My Why is my son. Since becoming a mother my whole perspective has changed and I would really like to set a positive example and leave a legacy behind for him and my future children. Also having peace of mind knowing I don’t have to worry about debt would be awesome
I want to be debt free because we’ve been in debt so long, it’s become a norm; not a precedent I want to set for my teenage children. Being afraid to open mail and answer the phone is tiring. Watching opportunities pass by because I’m in debt is tiring. I want to be among those in control of their spending and diciplined with their finances. I’m wasteful and throw away thousands in food, clothing and misc. each year and I feel so wasteful!
I have dreams of being a business owner and want to cash flow the whole thing, debt prevents me from doing that and I want to get rid of it. Also I do love my job but it’s no longer rewarding and frankly I am bored and ready to go into another direction. I want my money to go to fulfilling my dreams not someone elses.
There’s one word that sums up why I want to take control of my money: SECURITY!! I spent the first seven years of my professional (post-college) life caring for ill parents so I was at their mercy. Caring for my mom was a blessing because we grew so close and she taught me a lot valuable lessons about life. She understood that I was giving up my life to care for her. My, dad, however was the polar opposite. He had an expectation that I would care for him and put up anything and everything he said and did. Long story short, he was so irresponsible with his money that we had to live in a house condemned by the city of Philadelphia! As soon as I slept in that house I became determined to be financially independent so NO ONE could EVER put me in a horrible situation like that again.
To achieve that I have a corporate job that I use to pay my bills. My side hustle is building my health coaching business. My mission is to show women how to use food to HEAL their bodies with nutrient dense foods. Rather than giving up foods you love to eat, you can add 1 ingredient to exponentially increase the nutritional value of the meal.
I’m so excited to be on the journey to financial freedom!!
For me, I am 50 years old as of this past December 17th. And I had started my debt free journey and got caught up again in some financial mess. I am determined and have Faith, that with this New Journey to being Debt Free and Financial Peace I Can and I Will get there….
Hello, as many people on here are telling their reason why they are wanting to become ‘Debt free’, I will tell you mine. Being only 19 years old and already having a huge debt over my head, yes by huge I mean $60,000, of course, this is between my Fiance and I but it is still a huge burden on my shoulders. We are getting married this year and we are looking to buy a home before then, plus save up for the actual wedding. I’ve always looked at our finances and to be honest, it stresses me out to no end. We are only 19 and 20 so we still want to “play” with all this money once the bills are paid, even though we know better. During this summer we bought me a 2012 Sonic and a 2016 Mustang that we did not really need but we thought at that time we did. Now because of those decisions, we cannot afford to buy a house unless he gets a new job or I fix our finances. I am more than excited to start this journey and see what the new year brings us!
I had my a-ha moment and why happen at the same time. My King and I were away with his family during the 4th of July weekend. We were visiting his brother in Richmond, VA, it was late and he asked me to rent us a room for the night. I pulled out my American Express which we were using to travel. In the process of trying to find a room, the Hilton (that didn’t have any rooms available) put a hold on the card causing over limit. I was so embarrassed and mad at the same time. At that time, I talked to my King and said I don’t want us to go through this again. He said cut the card up and deal with our money, no one else’s money. That was profound to me because I had been listening to Dave Ramey on and off. It was now time for a money makeover especially know that we are planning to marry and starting multiple business ventures.
I have two large debts that I want to pay off. As a single 54 year old woman, I need to know that I have financial stability…it’s become a “peace of mind” thing!
I want to be debt free so I can claim control over my money and my money not have control over me. I want to be able to give and make a difference.
There are multiple reasons why I need to be debt free…forget “want”, it has become a necessity! They won’t even consider you for employment if you have bad credit! I learned bad spending and saving habits from my mother. You are a product of your environment, but I say no more! I have to become debt free so that I can stop screening my phone calls. Too scared to pick up the phone because someone else is asking me for money that I don’t have. I need to be debt free to have peace of mind. The feeling of complete freedom. The bliss of not worrying about someone trying to repossess your belongings because you fell behind on payments. They make you feel like a criminal! NO MORE I SAY!!! THE TIME IS NOW, I WILL BE DEBT FREE!!
My why is simply because i have too.im 43 years old and am tired of going around the same mountains of debt year after year.
Why do I want to be financially independent? To prepare for my future, to be able to retire early, to not have to live paycheck to paycheck, to be able to travel/vacation whenever I want to. I want my children to be able to live their best life financially and set an example for them. All of these things are my whys, but I think my most important why is, so that will not have to finance anything. I don’t like owing people and I hate making monthly bill payments. I think I’ve been like this since I made my first car purchase at 18.
My “why” is to gain control of my finances as I’m spending more than what’s coming in. My “motivation” is financial wisdom from the scriptures to put physical things in its proper perspective and be content with what I have, don’t confuse wants with needs, manage my resources wisely and to learn from my mistakes.
My why is my family. Not my own family, but for my mum and siblings. As a mother of 7 you can imagine just how much she gave up to support us through everything. (not just financially, but also emotionally, physically, and spiritually)
Now as I’m entering my final term of my library and info tech diploma, with a sizable (though nothing compared to some (~$23000)) amount of debt, I feel it’s my turn to help her. The goal is to attack this debt as hard as I can, build wealth, and help others!
I just hate that feeling of being out of control of my spending- buying things I don’t really need without really knowing what’s in my bank account.
I want to travel more and be able to get a house of my own one day. Also I don’t want to meet my significant other until I’m free of debt.
I never cared about being debit free until i ran across one of your video’s by accident. I started to question myself, were is all my money going and what do i have to show for it….
I hate working check to check
Hi Everyone! I want to have freedom. I don’t want to have to work to pay for things I think I should have due to my age, lifestyle or status that society have pigeon holed for me. Instead having no debt would give me more freedom to make the choices that are right for me. Plus I will be able to stop robbing my future self by making better choices with my money.
I want to be debt free so that I can travel more and not worry on what I have to cut back on or, how long I have to save up to go on a trip! It also hurts me to see the amount of money I’m paying each month on loans and I dream of the day that money can stay in my bank account!
The reason that I want to be debt free is to free up my resources for investments. I have student loans, a mortgage and a car note, it would be fantastic to allocate those resources to something that can and will grow over time. My parents were old school and during that time, kids were not taught about the finances, but I am ready to do something new and that is to rid myself of debt.
I want to be emotionally free of debt so I can stop living paycheck to paycheck. Achieving this means I can save and invest to increase my net other and leave a legacy for my children. I also want to save up to purchase a home.
I want to become debt free because I hate monthly payments and the idea that I drive a car that I technically do not own. Debt feels like a crutch for me and the monthly payment can get out of hand. The interest charges are crazy and it keeps me working for my money and not my money working for me. This is why I want to be debt free and I can’t wait!
I want to be debt free because I want to be able to move about freely without having to worry about bill collectors and trying to live paycheck to paycheck. I want to experience financial freedom and believe I can do this and this is my main motivation for wiping out my debt.
I want to be debt free because I’m tired of the anxiety and dependency on others that comes along with not having enough money to cover emergencies. I am a single mom of 3 teens, and I also have a mortgage, car note, student loans (A LOT of student loans). I grew up not having a clue about money, and as an adult I see that I’ve passed down the same level of unawareness to my kids. I’d like to break the cycle before they repeat my mistakes.
I want to be debt free because I want a life different than my mother’s and grandmother’s. They are always complaining about never having enough money and I don’t want to have that stress later on in life. I have student loans that are still building due to me still being in school, but I know the pay off for them and the job I will have once I’m finished will almost double what I can make with just my masters alone. I really want to be able to not have to stress and worry about how I’m going to pay my bills and not being able to go out with friends because I simply cannot afford the luxury.
Debt freedom for me means no more anxiety every single morning due to working in a career field that I’m not passionate. It also means that I’ll be able to pursue what really speaks to me and spend more time when my family.
Hello Nicole and Frugal Chic Life Family, I will become Debt Free because it is time to control my finances and educate my son on good financial habits.
I want to be able to save, provide, and leave something to my children
I’m going through a divorce and i’m trying to get him to sit and budget but i realize i will have to divorce and create my own budget seeing as we share joint account now and I cannot switch anything until its final. I am learning now so i wont be completely clueless when i am on my own.
I want to become debt free to start my marriage off on a healthy note. I want us to feel stable with our finances after spending money on both a wedding and a honeymoon.
I started my journey this year, although I have no debt, but due to my lack of savings and not knowing how to manage or control my money I also have no life! I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck and odd job to odd job, stuck in a shared rental home with a shared car that isn’t mine. I need to fix this mess of a “life” that I never wanted for myself.
I am just tired of living paycheck to paycheck and always feeling like I’m playing catch-up.
I am just tired of living paycheck to paycheck and always feeling like I’m playing catch-up.
I’ve been rather careless with my finances over the years. In the last few of years, I had a couple of credit cards that I just couldn’t seem to totally payoff. Was saving, but not really keeping it. I had been using a spending tracker for a little over a year, which I was quite diligently updating, and it has a feature that allows you to see your incoming/outgoings over a year; what a shock to see just how much money I was wasting! Went to Youtube to look for some videos about budgeting (as you do lol), came across a bunch of people talking about Dave Ramsey, purchased the book and got really motivated to make some serious changes. Also found lots of channels with good tips, advice, motivation. I can’t wait to pay off my student loan and in the near future purchase my own home.
I want to be debt free for my retirement. I don’t want to be working all my life. I want to enjoy my retirement and work because I want to not because I have to. I want to be debt-free to ensure that my husband and I can just live worry-free without worrying about how our bills are going to be paid.
Thanks for sharing Zelda!!
Two years ago I was pregnant for the third time. In the 3rd trimester I was sick a lot & my husband had to call off work to help care for our other 2 children. We literally could not afford for him to do that, but I was so sick that he had too. On several occasions we had to use a 0% apr credit card to pay for basic needs. Long story short, we lost the baby and I spent a week in the hospital. That meant two weeks of no income & it was a miracle we actually had cash to pay our bills when I got home.
My sick & tired moment was when I realized if I didn’t have to make minimum payments, we would have had enough money to get through that difficult time. I’m determined to never allow debt to cripple me again!
Hi Ummi. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. I can only imagine how difficult that must be. I applaud you for taking control of your finances and determining to rid your life of debt. Thank you for sharing your motivation with us!
Hi Nicole! Thank you so much for this opportunity and space! I am only just starting to fully participate as I have been sick up till now…I am not in debt but I am being helped by my parents since the recession, in different ways, and as much as I am grateful it makes me feel a burden, it weighs me down. Also I have become more fearful of making it on my own, even if I have been taking steps to have less and less financial help, I aim to not need it at all asap. I feel a deep rooted fear around money issues, autonomy, taking full charge of the fact that I do not want to, and have chosen not to take the same more mainstream life/work choices my parents and siblings have taken. But I feel that in order to own these choices totally I need to be in full control of them. And I know that things will paradoxically really start working when I do so and let go of the fear. I want to feel free of guilt and shame, lighter and free to explore a more creative way of living more and more. Blessings to all.
A lot of great comments on here and I can relate to most of them. I’ll be 55 soon and I have never had a savings…when I was raising my children I was just trying to keep my head above water knew nothing about a budget other than the word….my sister passed away and she didn’t expect it but she had enough money for her son to go to college and she had just paid off her BMW so he has a car paid off….but what I’ve learned from that is if I pass I have nothing for my children and grands….i first of all want to be able to take care of myself in case my husband of 10 yrs can no longer work. I also want to buy a house yes I want that responsibility. To leave an inheritance for my children and my children’s children. Death is hard at least they should have something to show for it
Hi Andrea. Thanks for sharing your ‘why’. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister. A part of my motivation also is to have an inheritance to leave my children. All the best on your journey to financial freedom. Please keep in touch and let me know if you have questions.
Financial freedom!!!!!!! I’m tired of feeling like I only work to try and catch up on bills etc. I want to be able to work and have my bills paid and still be able to save so that I can one day but a house.
Hi Marlea! Thank you for sharing your ‘why’! Continue to make progress each day. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.
I am to be debt free so I can work less, right now I have to work long hour so that I earn enough to service my debt, its stressful and demoralising. I want to stop having money worries, knowing I can pay for things when they due. Debt is burden, I was to off load it.
Hi Gilbert! Thanks for sharing your ‘why’. It will be such a relief to get to the point where you are no longer losing sleep over your money. All the best on your journey.
Hello Nicole,
Why do I want to become debt free? Simply because I want a personal relationship with my money and to gain my financial freedom back. My why involves so much because I want the ability to get rid of credit cards, invest so that I can be able to expand my business, gain much knowledge so that I can share with my children and grandchildren and so on. Looking forward to this adventure Nicole and thanks in advance.
Hi Lisa. Thanks for sharing you why. I love the fact that legacy is at the forefront- what we do with our money has the ability to impact future generations positively or negatively. Congrats on starting the journey. I hope the 21 day challenge inspires you to make great, positive changes.
Hi Nicole!
So glad I found your YT channel!
Why? I want to spend my hard earned cash on traveling the world, instead of giving it to Capital One, Amazon, Lane Bryant, etc., all with interest of course. I’m a registered nurse, so I make decent money. I’m just terrible with it. No savings and investments. My credit sucks. The only type of savings I have is a 403b through my job. Ive been a financial wreck since the age of 20. I’m 37. I want to be able to retire and live comfortably in my old age. Social security is not guaranteed to us.
Thanks Sherry! I agree with you about Social Security. If it’s there then great but I’m not betting my future on it. Congrats on starting your journey. Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
I want to save and be careful with money so I can have a decent retirement. I am disabled and always worried about illness and redundancy. I live in England so the medical costs are negligible thank goodness but I would like a decent pension even though I work part time.
Hi Kit! Thanks for sharing your why with us!
I desire to be debt-free so that I no longer have to worry about money, work less hours and never ever, ever, ever, ever owe anyone again in my my life.
Thanks for sharing your why! I feel the same way!!
Hi Nicole,
I owe 68K in student loan debt and I know if I am not careful- and only make minimum payments- this could leave me with double or triple the amount to pay off due to interest. I do not want to be stuck in the mud with more student loan debt than I can afford! So I made the decision a few months ago to pay off ALL of my federal student loan debt by 2020. My baby step so far has been saving $1,000 a month- which I intend on growing incrementally with my side hustle. I know I can do it and plugging into people like you will only continue to motivate me and keep me on track.
Awesome goals Dorenda! Keep making strides everyday.
My why is my children. One day, I was reading a bible scripture about inheritance. I was God telling us to leave an inheritance for our children first, then our children’s children. At that point, it dawned on me that I would probably never be able to retire at the rate I was going. I could never handle debt, so why was I trying again to land in the same boat? I decided at that point to remove my debt not only for my children’s sake but for my own.
Thanks for sharing your why Tammy! I feel the same way about my children- they are a major motivation for me to live a financially free life.
I have just graduated from college at the age of 32 and am now starting a real “grown up” lifestyle. I have reliable, steady income and my boyfriend and I plan on getting engaged soon. Since I am starting later in life I know I have to be smarter with my finances. I want to build a future that my boyfriend and I can be happy in.
Hi Jill. Congrats on graduating with your college degree! It’s a great time to get your finances in order as you build your career and start off in your marriage.
My “why” is wanting to have a better life for my daughter and myself. I am 32 years old with two college degrees and I struggle with my finances. I live paycheck to paycheck. All of my money goes to bills. I don’t have anything even left for my debt payments. I need to get a handle on my finances because I would like to purchase a home, enjoy experiences and vacations with my child, and retire responsibly. I am just tired of being cash strapped. I have to change now.
Hi Rachael! Thanks for sharing your ‘why’. Taking theses steps to get started will be so worth it for you and your daughter! Wishing you the best on your journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions.
My why is because I am 50 (not getting younger :)) and tired of being in debt month after month. Debt is debt no matter how you look at it, or how much or how little it is. We are in debt minus house 20,000.00, with house 210,000.00. We are hoping to have the 20,000 paid off by spring of next year and hoping to have the house paid off in 12-15 years. We want to make sure we have money for retirement when that day comes. I wish my parents talked to me about money and debt, but their 70 an have debt as well.
Hi Sherri! Thanks for sharing your why! I wish I had learned this stuff growing up as well. I have small kids and I talk with them frequently about money. I’m hoping to change the family financial tree!
I woke up this morning and took a loot at our bank account, I started crying because my husband makes okay money and I just realized it all goes to credit card debt and bills. We cant even afford to buy our daughter a bike. Its truly sad. This is the reason why I want to take control of our finances.
Hi Mariel. That feeling of being out of control with your money is horrible. With time and intentionality you can regain the control over your money. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions as you go through the challenge.
I am starting this journey because I would like to get a headstart on my financial journey since I am currently in college. I plan on going to grad school and I would like to purchase a new car and begin paying off my student loans before I graduate from undergrad. I would like to begin my life after college with a plan.
That is awesome! I applaud you for getting started so early and for being proactive about creating a plan. I hope that the journey helps you develop your strategy.
I am starting this journey because I’m 31 years old, no kids, no husband and I’d really like to own my own home in the expensive state of California, Los Angeles County! I’ve been renting for years and it’d be nice to have something of my own. I also desire to begin building financial wealth to have the freedom to come and go as I please and not be confined to my desk until retirement, I want to retire early! My only debt right now is my car and after starting Dave Ramsey’s baby steps, I will never finance another car again! My car should be paid off by next summer, 3 years early! Thanks for all your help on this journey Nicole!
Thanks for sharing your why Leslie! I feel the same way about cars. My current car previous had an almost $500 car payment but it has long since been paid off and I’m driving it until the wheels fall off!
Hi Nicole, I am starting this journey to become:
1. Debt free – I have credit card debts, student account overdraft, professional loan and student loan
2. I want to have a healthy savings and investment portfolio to prepare me for retirement and to pass something on to my children
3. I want to be in a position to own my property
4. I want to learn so I can equip my children with that knowledge
5. I want to stop living from paycheck to paycheck.
I am a single mother of four and of course their future is my main focus. Right now because of my credit I am unable to buy a house, rent a new home and get a nwe car. I feel stuck! I am frustrated and at my max. I want to be able to save and provide certain things for my kids.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Nelijia. Wishing you all the best as you seek to create a better future for you and your children.
Hi Nicole , I wrote a bit about my situation but it’s somewhere above I didn’t scroll down to the end to write I am looking forward to becoming debt free. I have a mortgage and a car payment. I love to budget and am somewhat of a money hoarder. I lost a lot in my first marriage After a divorce and years later my second husband died of a heart attact. I have 5 adult children and have been teaching them money management, they are all doing well. My goal is to be debt free and help others in need.
Hi Lisa. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. You must be a strong woman to get back up and keep going. Blessings to you and your family as you begin your journey to become debt feee.
Well at my age I feel it’s time. I have been putting it off long enough. I had a goal to retire and travel the world by 55 years of age. That’s not going to happen. I’m not complaining about where I am because I’m still living. I’m in remission…13 years. So after I begin to live again I realize starting from where I am is the best start for me. Completing my first step into nursing has given me a feeling of accomplishment and helps me put my goal in perspective. I’m ready to become debt free and stress free. I have watched your YouTube channel (subscribed) and I love your information and guidance. Thank you for sharing your journey with me!
Hey y’all! New person here! I want to be debt free because I want to have control over my life. I think being debt free will feel like freedom, opportunity, the ability to be of service, and being a pillar of strength. I want to be debt free because I’ve got things to do, places to travel, people to help, nieces to provide for, and ADVENTURES to be had! 🙂
Welcome Amy!! Thanks for sharing your why with us.
Security and stability is a big thing for me and I want to be able to start making smart choices as well as be able to start my own business and get out of the 9-5 rat race.
Thanks for sharing your why Camille!
My reason “Why” is pretty simple. I want to better the quality of Life for my family. Between my husband and myself we make pretty good money but we seem to be broke more often than not. We’re sick and tired of living pay check to pay check. I read a quote one time and it really does motivate me. It read…Become so financially secure that you forget that’s its PAYDAY!
Amen to that!
I want to experience financial freedom. Dept has caused much stress and anxiety in my life. Mostly student loan dept, but I do have credit card dept as well. I have started this journey before and lost the motivation at some point to continue. I’m ready in 2019!! I make pretty good money as a nurse. I just need to put my money in the right places. I need to stay motivated! I see my future free of dept and stress and full of more vacations, savings, and spending time with family. I want to retire sooner than later, Dept Free!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your ‘why’. Wishing you a prosperous new year!!
I have not changed my previous “Why” which is to save and get control of my money because I now feel as if I am in debt to myself. I still need to save more and learn the budget method and actually put my money in places that wil increase my net worth not diminish it. This year I have already learned more in 2018 thanks to you Nicole, that I now feel more prepared and ready to make it work in 2019 and from now on.
You’re so welcome!! I’m glad to help. Wishing you a prosperous 2019!
I have started this financial journey to free myself from the slave mentally of this “keeping up with the joneses” society. I am sick and tired of the propaganda of the “American Dream” being sold to me when it really is a nightmare. I want to leave my children a financial legacy as well as financial literacy. It’s time for me to wake up and take the red pill (from matrix movie).
I see now that, Becoming debt free means stress free. and I need NO STRESS IN MY LIFE OVER MONEY!! I will now tell my money what to do. (And I am teaching my kids to do the same, So once they get older they won’t have to be stressing over financial situations.)
I want to inspire and build the community around me to also be debt free.
I want to retire young and be debt free.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Linda!
Hi, I’m back. I wrote to you in 2018. I was a single mom (divorced long ago) my 5 kids are all grownup and on their own. I have retired early to help care for my mom who has stage 4 colon cancer. I am now debt free, paid off my house and my car and my motorcycle. I have myTSP tied up for the next 3 years to earn high interest. My biggest challenge is to try to save money on the little that I receive …$1,400.00 each month. I save 48 dollars a month after paying all my living costs. I am not going to start work again I want to enjoy retirement so my best bet is to adopt a very frugal life style. I am having fun figuring out the many ways I can save money.
I just want a different life for my future. I grew up in a debt filled house hold. Parents both had bad credit , so they were not able to teach me financial literacy. I am not blaming them for my mistakes , but I do believe once you know better you do better. I have been researching personal finance for years, and have yet to do anything with the knowledge. I am now married and we are expecting our 1st child 🙂 and I feel we owe our child a better life and view of finances than what we had been use to. Accountability will be my biggest challenge, but now I think I have a big enough WHY to see it through. Thank you for all you information and your servitude.
Lee
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Allesha! Congratulations on the baby!
I had breast cancer in 2005 & thought I was going to die so I made plans for my children to be cared for & came to grips with my death sentence. My family moved me back to California in 2007, after I “survived”. I didn’t know what to do…plan for the future or live in the moment. I lived in the moment. No retirement plan, no savings, only the fear of cancer robbing me of a future. In 2009 I bought a house, but still couldn’t figure out how to live for the future. I bought it so my son would have a piece of the pie…Yet…No retirement, no savings. No credit cards, but a student loan looking over me. A decade later, I’m still alive, the future is still coming & my house is still a house, not my home. I got so caught up in helping other family that I forgot to help myself. It’s my turn to make my house into my home & pay it off so I can have the freedom to “survive” differently than I have in the past. It’s my turn & I’m ready to live like no one else so I can live like no one else!
Hi Vikki! Wow! Congratulations on being a survivor!! I’m excited for you and can’t wait to hear about how your journey unfolds.
My Husband and I earn over 100,000.00 a year with no dependents, so why are we always broke? We must reclaim control over our finances. I refused to struggle in this tax bracket. Not another day of living this way.
Hi Jackie! Amen to that. You can do it. One piece of advice I would give is to prioritize saving and make sure you take that off of the top before spending.
Hello Nicole
My Why i want to become debt free is to live my life happy and to be able to leave something for my son and his family. (not leaving them with my debt to worrie about). Hopefully with your help and the help of others i will be able to accomplish that this year. Thank you
Thanks for sharing your why Lynda!
My ‘Why’, is that i want to be debt free and i am tired of struggling, and i should have done this years ago. life give you lemons and so i had to make do with the lemonade i could make. Raised 4 children so it is just me but i do have 2 grandchildren that i would like to see successful in life. So if i could help in the process i certainly want to try…. my money is limited and i owe a student loan which i need to figure out repayment plans for.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Zelta!
My ‘why’ is to be debt free. I’m tired of getting to the end of the month with no money. I want to travel and be comfortable, not worrying about ‘if’ I have money to do something. I want to teach my granddaughters (who live with us) how to manage their money and live a good life.
Thanks for sharing your why Suzette!
My why… Is that I want to know that the place I live will always provide a home for mg family and our farm animals. I don’t want to fear that we may have to move because we rent and the home owners ask us to leave. I want to own my own place.
Hey Nichole! That’s a great why- thanks for sharing with us!
I am a single mom, with a PhD and 6 digits of school loan debt. I’m also a spender. I want to be able to take care of my daughter without having to worry about money every day.
Hi Sarah! Welcome and thanks for sharing your why! I can totally relate to the debt. We had nearly 6-figures of student loan debt, the bulk of which came from me earning a doctorate.
I want to relax and enjoy life and be able to help others.
That’s an awesome why Debbie!
I’m tired of my hard earned money being “taken” by the government to pay off student loan debts when I’d rather use that money to grow my business. So, I want to get out of debt (all I have is student loans) so I can build my life instead of feeling like it’s being siphoned away because of student loans.
That’s a great why Grace! Thanks for sharing. What type of business are you growing?
At 43 and 40 AND with three kids under 3, my wife and I need to do better for our kids, and to be able to have money to give back into our community, especially since we’re getting started on a path to financial security kind of late!
Thanks for sharing your why JR!
I want to have the freedom to do as i please with my money, travel, spend quality time with family, have a well invested retirement account and be able to assist my parents more as they go into retirement.
I would like to be debt free in order to start a scholarship fund in my parents name. Also to not have the stress that comes with debt.
That’s an awesome ‘why’ Ramona! That will be a wonderful legacy.
I’m a recently single mom, after 18 years, and money is so tight. I want to come out top and show “him” I don’t need him! I’m not looking to get rich, but I’m so tired of struggling.
Welcome, Deedee! Thanks for sharing your ‘why’. I’m wishing you and your family all the best as you find your financial footing.
I want to be debt free because I am sick, tired, and beyond frustrated that we have been very fortunate with our financial income, but life has doled out circumstances that make it so we have been unable to attain our goals set out 7 years ago. Having said that, I’m also sick, tired, and frustrated with myself (and spouse) that we didn’t set out clear goals and detail out our finances. We have two young daughters and one in college, and I want my younger girls to be provided for as much as the eldest. I also want us to have the stress of big debt lifted off our shoulders.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Amy. Managing money can be very stressful, one of the amazing benefits of pursuing financial freedom is the ability to worry less as your situation improves.
Peace..
Financial security and debt deliverance, is my daily prayer! I am 51 years of age and realize that have about $700 in savings to my name. (besides what I have in my 403B account). I am exhausted from living paycheck to paycheck, this seems to be a curse for me. I watched my mother do the same. I don’t want to be that woman, once I reach my mother’s age. I am tired of being the borrower!!!
I am on a new journey to pay off my debt and save money for my retirement in the very near future.
Thank you for the tips.
Thanks so much for sharing your ‘why’ Alicia! I pray that you will be the one to break that cycle!! Wishing you all the best on your journey.
I feel like I’m working endlessly and yet I don’t have money. Constant calls from creditors, and when my kids need something, I can’t afford. I want to be free of owing anybody financially and live less stressful life.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’. Wishing you the best on your journey and I hope that some of the resources I have on the site will be helpful to you.
My why is to show my child that we as parents have self-control. I also want to be able to travel on a whim and not feel guilty when I shop.
Thanks for sharing Elizabeth! You are right, children learn by example and they are always watching!
First Hi Nicole, My “Why” is, I want to stop getting behind on things, I want to build a nest for the now and later with having security.
To build a better relationship with money for my husband and I. I want to leave a legacy to my daughter.
Now what got me to this point is that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 right after I was Married October 2013, I was in remission in 2015-2016. I have a son that not biologically mine but we have a great bond. The Doctor didn’t think I would have kids but I didn’t think about what he was saying, so I was blessed with a little girl in November 2017 but then in March I was diagnosed with spine cancer and had my 5th thoracic bone taking out of my back I then started to try and put money to the side for my daughter, but has not been easy with my husband getting garnished from his pass and my doctor bills because I’m no longer working but I get a monthly pay its just been so difficult but I’m taking it one day at a time.
Hi Catrice! Thanks so much for sharing your ‘why’. I can totally relate to what you said about the importance of legacy. Thanks for sharing some of your story with us, wow you’re a survivor. Praying for your continued healing physically and financially!!
My parents, all my life, have struggled with money. It got to the point, that my dad messed up both his and my mom’s credit scores so bad, they’re still not recovered. As a young adult, I watched their struggles, and it’s become one of my biggest fears. Thankfully, my parents have never lost a job and that brought on hardships, it was just poor planning and overspending. Being in charge of my own finances now, I want to make sure that I never get into a tight spot like they had been in years ago, and then struggle for years and years to try to get back. My goal and my reason is to keep on top of my budget, my savings, and everything else so that I can sleep easy at night without wondering if there would be anything I could do at that moment to bring in a little extra cash.
Hi Tate! Thank you so much for sharing your why! So much of how we operate with money is shaped by those early years and experiences. I applaud you for wanting to break the cycle that you saw growing up.
I want to reclaim my freedom like you and do things I want to do without worrying about money.I also want to create wealth and take children off the streets especially the girl child.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ with us Chioma!
One of the reasons why I want to be completely debt free is for the freedom to not have TO, whatever that have TO may consist of, but the power to choose to. I will have more options, and not have to settle out of fear.
That’s a wonderful ‘why’ Carleen! Thanks for sharing with us.
I’m tired…tired of living from paycheck to paycheck..tired of being denied the things I want because of bad credit..tired of seeing everyone vacation, while I try to figure out how they do it and I can’t afford to…and the list goes on and on.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ LaRona!
With the current situation we are facing with COVID-19 pandemic, SIP and currently not working, I took this time as an opportunity to “get my house in order.” Now I first had to wrap my head around this crisis because it left me unemployed/laid off and having to file for unemployment, and I didn’t even do that right away. Mainly because I didn’t fully understand what was going on especially since it was being played down in the beginning . But as my oldest sister who happens to be a nurse along with friends I have who are nurses as well expressed the reality of COVID and its effects, I begin to think about my future. I am in my mid 50’s, and realized that debt is not what I need to be dealing with as I head towards retirement which is still a ways away for me and that my portfolio is no where near what I want it to be and needs to be.So I made the decision during this time to make changes that will afford me the security, wealth and mindset to walk in my golden years worry free as much as possible.
DAY 1 OF THE CHALLENGE HERE! My big why is that I don’t want to work for someone that doesn’t pay my worth and survive cheque by cheque, I am living my life working so hard and I am not able to save money or invest in myself and my own business. It is time to be paid my worth and see the results of my hard work and be able to spend quality time with my partner:-) I am so excited to start this challenge, thanks:-)
Hi Giuliana! Thanks so much for sharing your ‘why’. I hope you enjoy the challenge!
I am very excited to be here!! Im from Puerto Rico ! My big why is that I want to diversify my income, be able to have more than one income and have more time with my family!! 🙂
Welcome Anabel! I’m glad to have you here! Thanks for sharing your why with us.
The reason I want out of debt and to have financial freedom is so that I don’t ever have to depend on anyone else. Having all my debt freed up will help me be able to save more, travel more, and just live the life I have always wanted.
Thanks for sharing your why with us Jessica!
I want to be debt free and learn somethings because my late husband was the one who took care of the finances and took care of me really. Since he has been gone i can really see how out of control things have gotten. I just hope i can fix it before its too late. I am so bad at budgeting and keeping track of finances that I have written bad checks. Not on purpose, i mean come on I wrote a check for 2.14 once and it bounced. Does that sound like someone who MEANT to write a bad check? I am just really bad at math. So i hope this course teaches me how to budget correctly and learn some things so i can live my life and not stressing out and living paycheck to paycheck
Hi Jennifer! Thanks so much for sharing with us. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I applaud you for taking the necessary steps to get your finances on track.
Being that my life has completely changed during this pandemic period I had time to really slow down and realize that I needed to pay attention to my finances. I need to be more prepared , more aware and more responsible. Not having the burden of debt would ease my stress and worries , so thats my why.
I’m a therapist, and I’ve found that money stress can create the most severe emotional distress. I want to learn practical, self empowering techniques with strategies that manage to the emotional response to money that have oftentimes plagued us generationally. Plus, I want to strengthen my base of knowledge and become more fiscally aware.
Thanks so much for sharing your ‘why’ Ronda! I completely agree with you, there are often lots of emotional baggage linked to money. The roots of which can be traced back to our home of origin.
I want debt freedom so that I can be financially stable and leave wealth behind (assets)
Thanks for sharing Ayisha! I absolutely love that!
My Why. I struggled with this. For years I have said I wanted to leave my son an inheritance and not a debt load. But I had never made any moves to change. I had done a consumer proposal which I had all paid off in Nov 2009. So I was debt free…for less than a year. Now…slightly more than a decade later I am 20,000 in debt. Does not sound like much compared to some, but there is no mortgage, car loan or student loan in there. It is all random, bad choices consumer debt.
Last year I worked 2 jobs. From Jan 2019 to Jan 2020 my debt dropped less than $5000. I thought…what did I do with the extra money. My whole purpose in having that second job was to pay my debt.
That is when I knew I had to change!
I have gone through budgeting “classes” before but you are the first person to make me question why? I have already begun to make small changes. I am so pumped about getting out of debt AND now I truly believe I can!!
Thank you so much for sharing that Laurie. I’m so glad that the question triggered a mindset shift for you. Onward and upward from here!
I want to be financially free so I can have real options and decide what my life should be like. Moreover, living with debt is very similar to living in bondage and I believe there is more to life than what we have experienced so far. We can definitely do better and so it’s our prerogative to do so.
Well said Abigail! Thanks for sharing!
I want to pay off a huge student loan so that I can save more when it is paid off. My ultimate goal is for my children to never have to worry about supporting me when I’m old, even if I have health issues. My parents did that and I am grateful.
Thanks for sharing your ‘why’ Lisa!