How to be a Millionaire, talk to one!

by Greg

I have found that if you want to reach a goal find someone who has done that goal and do what they do. for instance if you want to take up running talk to someone who runs marathons. If you want to rock climb find someone who is an expert at rock climbing. I really want to do well with my money and to be a good steward of the funds God has entrusted me with. So that is what this video is about. It is someone who is a millionaire and that is where I want to be. It is delving into what a person does to be a millionaire and how they got there.

What is most interesting is Kenney in this video started with exactly nothing. He even worked for $2.60 for a few years to get his business off the ground. I don't know if I would have the patience to keep that up but he had a dream and he could envision what it looked like down the road. So he worked hard got out of his debts he owed started gaining traction and then started opening other locations and also franchising.  That is the power of setting goals and seeing them to fruition.

Another thing I found interesting is when the recession hit he took a 50% pay cut to help with the payroll issues they had. I love how this man is so giving. He helps build his team members and if they are deserving gives them a franchise to run. They also donate to several thousands of dollars to charities in their area. God loveth a cheerful giver and blesses them.

Have a happy Friday!

Happy Friday!! Mathew and Heidi Debt Free Scream

by Kristen

Sometimes I think Greg and I have a ton of student loans and then I hear stories like this couple. $300 thousand. Ya, I didn't stutter. 300K.

They were/ are making serious cash but the amount of debt they had? That's serious too. So many times there are people that think that a student loan debt that large should be treated like a mortgage; pay the minimum and you'll get there eventually. Not these two, Matthew and Heidi, they weren't like that. They decided to get out of debt and move on with their life! No messing around for this couple.

So yes, when I look at our income versus our debt, I can see just how far in the hole we are. When I look at these two and their income versus their debt, I realize that they were in the same hole.

But here's the good news; THEY GOT OUT! They didn't mess around. They didn't try to do it differently. They followed a proven plan and it worked.

That sounds good to me.

Debt Free Friday: Ryan and Micha

by Greg

Here is some local (if you live in Utah) flavor. This fun couple lives in Logan where she is a basketball coach at Utah State and he works in the HR department, also at Utah State. Go Aggies!!*

This couple is awesome, they started their marriage by combining their finances and quickly realized that they needed to change. They chose to work on this project together, making sacrifices and staying on focus together.

I love that Ryan said "I believe people are eating their problems". That is so true. It's really easy to go out to eat, overspend at the grocery store and just waste money on food. That's an area that is easy to cut back on and a place where you can see quick gains.

We watch these debt free screams because they inspire us. We're working so hard to get out from under this mountain, that sometimes it feels that we'll never see the end. But then we watch real people doing amazing things and being free. That gives us hope and encourages us to keep going. We're going to make it and we can't wait for the day when you can google "Greg and Kristen debt free scream"! That's going to be awesome!!

*I (Greg) graduated from USU with a masters degree in HR, Kristen will start their Family Life Studies program soon, we've convinced our 8 year old boy that he needs to study their landscape architecture program and we're working on the other kids. Basically we're trying to raise a family of Aggies!

Debt Free Friday: Tim and Katie

I think it is inspiring when young people have their finances in order. What is really impressive is they realized they were in trouble and even though they weren't making a lot of money they were able to set a goal and complete it. I like how they pulled together, got on a written plan and helped each other to stay motivated. I also liked how they thought of it as a great project to work together on. 

Kristen loves projects. I mean really loves projects. I think if she didn't have a project to work on she would be depressed. Working on this debt free project has really been fulfilling and we have drawn so much closer together as a couple because of it. 

One more thought; they are in their twenties and have no debt. Just think of what you could do with the extra money if you didn't have any debt!! Just think what they can give to people who need it. I can't wait to be in a position to give like that, it will be awesome!

Here is a bit more about their story. Definitely worth the watch. 

Ownership

My friend just got a new car. When they first picked it up, they posted the photos on social media with the caption that said something to the effect of: "This Baby is Mine!!". I am very excited for them and happy that they are happy. I would love to get a new vehicle as well.

Jeep Renegade

But somewhere along the way I have changed my thinking about ownership because of our goal to get out of debt. I started thinking about the phrase, "this baby is mine". There are two possibilities. The first is they have paid cash for the vehicle so they are free and clear of any payments so yes, it belongs to them, it's theirs and YAY! for them. The other option is that they have taken out a loan to finance the vehicle. So doesn't that mean the bank owns their vehicle? 

Am I off on that thought? 

I started to think about things that I have. Do I own them or does the bank own them? When we take out a loan for vehicles, houses, motorcycles, mattresses, etc. the bank holds the title until we pay it off. I'm thinking that the bank holds the title and the majority share until we've paid it off so they own it...

Candelight Homes SnowMass plan

When I think about things in that sense it makes me agitated and want to own the things that I have. I want them paid off so no one else owns them but me. For example I really like our house. We are comfortable in it and we have a great time living in it. We have so many memories that we have from living here. But I can't say it is mine, THE BANK OWNS more of it than I do and that bugs me.

So we will be plugging away on our debts and then tackle the house after that. One of the goals that we have, is that in the very near future we can say the house is officially ours.

If you agree or disagree we would like to hear about it. please respond in the comments below. We appreciate your input and you. Thank you!!

PS- the pictures above are just examples of stuff, not things that we have in our possession.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Okay, yes. The title is a take on the game show from years ago but seriously, have you ever wondered what it takes to become a millionaire, or at least retire a millionaire? A few weeks ago on the Dave Ramsey show there was an entire segment dedicated to exploring the secrets of America's millionaires.

I have always wanted to talk to someone who has "made it". I have wanted to find out what they have done to be successful with money. Dan talked to Dave and explained how he and his wife were able to be successful. He wasn't any different from the other millionaires that were on the show. Here's what I think:

• Dan didn’t average over 100k, most of the time he had a normal income
• He was debt free
• They put money away consistently
• He didn’t inherit money or win the lottery
• They didn’t buy new vehicles
• They lived below their income
• Bought things with cash
• Didn't have student loans

Those that are successful follow the principles found in "The Millionaire Next Door".  They followed solid financial principles that worked for our grandparents and they were consistent. These men and women are also living pretty ordinary lives. You wouldn't pass them on the street and be able to guess their net worth. And you know, that kinda makes me wonder, how many of my friends and neighbors are secretly wealthy? Not because I think that's information we need to share (so don't tell us) but I just wonder if there are more people that are able to live comfortably and give outrageously than we know. That's something to think about.

It takes serious work and dedication to retire with over a million dollar net worth but it's possible. And you don't have to be lucky or somehow special to do it, you just have to focus. Oh and get out of debt, we're still working on that part but we'll get there. I think we can all do it.

Happy Friday!! ~Clay's Debt Free Journey

I heard this inspiring story the other day from a man named Clay. No matter how down you are in this life you can get out of it and get back on your feet. This amazing man made restitution to those that he had stolen from. I feel that if we try to forgive others and ourselves, we are well on our way to a great life. I could feel the emotional release when he screamed, it was like we were all there cheering him on. 

I hope we remember that when we get discouraged in whatever we are facing that we fill our minds with positive things. One thing he did to help him was to think of his kids. That inspired him to do the right thing and turn his life around. If we remember the good things in life it is harder to drag us down. Focus on the good and try to repay the bad.

At the end of the day the grace of God is what makes the difference. Clay is an inspiration and an example of what it means for a man's heart to be changed. Pretty amazing.

Here's another video that gives us a better look at Clay's story and some of the things that he did to completely and totally turn his life around. This is one of the good ones.

Happy Friday! George and Nicole Debt Free Scream

Today's video is amazing! First off is the crazy amount they paid off in only 20 months. $1.2 million. That's a lot of zeros.

Second is, even though they were/ are bringing in a lot of money and are "well to do", they realized they were in trouble and didn't have a handle on their money. It was only when they worked together, budgeted, downsized and sacrificed that they were able to become debt free. 

I love how happy they are during this whole process. You can tell that they are really close as a couple and as a family. Budgeting together and working on a common goal of getting out of debt has changed their feelings toward one another and made them stronger. That is what I want for my family.

Happy Friday!- Cinthya's Debt Free Scream

Every Friday we are going to share stories of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things with their lives and their finances. Most of the videos and stories will come from Dave Ramsey's youtube channel. Every time I watch these they keep me motivated and inspire me to keep going in this journey of life.

This lady is awesome!! When I first saw this it made me teary eyed because of the trials that she went through to get to where she is currently. She is definitely an inspiration to me and helps me to keep the perspective needed to keep going in our financial struggles as well as in life in general.

That is where I want to be in a few years. Watching this woman tell her story helps me have the hope that I need to keep moving forward on this rough journey. I feel that if she can do it with all of the challenges she faced then there is no reason for me to give up.

Wherever you are in your journey through life, whether you've been debt- free forever or you're just getting started, don't give up. Keep moving. When life knocks you down just keep getting back up. That's what matters, as long as you keep moving forward then you're going to be okay.

If you are interested here is more about Cinthya. Her story is incredible and I'm glad she was willing to share.