I’ve just completed my ninth year of being completely debt free. On January 19, 1999 I paid off my first home. That 30-year mortgage ended up being only 6 ½ years, saving me over $80,000 in interest payments.
Six years ago, we moved. We doubled our real estate assets and increased our net worth. When we purchased our new home and property we paid cash. We’re still debt free and loving it.
Being debt free really is not about numbers, at least not numbers in dollars, but perhaps numbers as in time. I am very thankful to John Cummuta and the Debt-FREE & Prosperous Living™ and Transforming Debt Into Wealth™ systems for the opportunities that living this lifestyle have opened up for my family.
I’m a strong believer in helping your fellow man to help himself. For me it is important that I use my life to help others improve theirs. I get this opportunity almost every day. I go to work everyday happy and glad to be there. I love my job. I also love the work I am able to do for my community.
I write this not to boast, but to encourage you to reach for your dreams, to write them down, and then create your plan to achieve them. Being goal oriented will help you to attain all that you desire. Studies show that when we are goal oriented we are more productive, we are less stressed, we are happier and serene.
Working to achieve my goal of becoming and remaining debt free is what allows most of the happiness in my life. Before I started my path to financial freedom, I sat down and made a list of the things I had always wanted to do, but felt that time and money was preventing. I share some of my original list with you below.
1. Visit my family more often
2. Relax
3. Learn to golf
4. Learn to play the piano
5. Go back to College
6. Volunteer with local charities
7. Winter home
When I look at this list I’m proud to say that all but one has been accomplished. While the number 2 goal, relax is an ongoing battle. I think it’s time to reevaluate my goals and to set new dreams.
I could easily talk about my investments and my net worth, but living a Debt-FREE & Prosperous™ lifestyle is really not about numbers in dollars, but how many hours I can spend on field trips with my children’s class, how many track meets I can attend, how many students graduate from the ESL (English as a Second Language) classes I teach, how many families are helped by the Family resource center that I am on the board of, how many low income students we can buy school supplies for, how many days in a year I get to see my family, etc.
What are you dreams? What are your goals and why aren’t you achieving them? Most people fail to make a plan to reach their goals and that is what stops them from “just doing it.”
Make a list of things that you would like to do or always wanted to do, but feel that money and/or time have stopped you. From there create your plan, by committing yourself to becoming debt free. Once you have the plan, the steps are much easier to take. I hope this time next year you have items on your list marked off too.
About the Author:Sherry Ridge is a National Sales Manager with Tower Financial Services™, and is a Certified Financial Independence Consultant and Seminar leader. She conducts Debt-FREE & Prosperous Living® and Transforming Debt Into Wealth ® workshops all over Lake County, Illinois. She eliminated over $150,000 in debt in 7.3 years. She lives in the Lake County, IL Area, with her husband, and children.
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