Peanut Butter No Jam??

If there is one thing I love on Fridays its the Dave Ramsey show, Debt Free Fridays. People call in every Friday to share their stories about how they got out of debt and at the end they get to scream I'M DEBT FREEEEEEE while millions of people listen In. I think the show serves as great inspiration to others going through the process. One thing I noticed In the last few years that I have listened is the number of "single" people calling In to scream, there just aren't that many.

Now don't get me wrong, Im not advocating single people run out and find someone to marry but I am saying Its got to be a different experience. I know you always here people say "its easy being single because you don't have 2 people to account for" But what about when you have NO one to hold you accountable at all?? I honestly believe "some" of my random purchases have had to do with the shear fact that no one was going to tell me "Noooooooo". I would even venture off to say I would probably be debt free already..... BUT I WON'T LOL.

My point is being a single person trying to get out of debt can be a little rough at times, so this Holiday season I am going to share a few of MY survival tips to those who are going it alone. Lets face it We need support too and the more the better!!

Tip #1 Do NOT ask people who aren't getting out of debt about debt - I know this may sound a bit harsh but really, when it comes down to it those people are always going to be on the spending money team. You need a good accountability partner who has or is experiencing paying off debt with you. They don't mean any harm but its just not a good idea to ask them to keep you on your toes.

Tip #2 Keep a blow money account no matter what - I must say this has been a downfall in my journey towards debt freedom. There are months where I am super intense and I am throwing every extra dime on debt, then there are other months where I spend more than I put on debt the month before. When you keep a blow/entertainment account you feel much less guilty about spending because its already accounted for. Don't cheat yourself in this area (I tried it). Even if there ends up being a few hundred dollars in the account, its better than dipping in to some other envelope when you get those "Im lonely so lets shop urges".

Tip #3 Use cash leave the Debit card home - This really is a universal tip and can be used single or married. I have had a major habit of spending outside my budget with my debt card in hand. I have found that when I take cash out of the atm I am more goal oriented and "focused" on what I need to purchase. I know that I better have a list because when the cash is gone, debt card at home there is nothing more you can do. I have found myself using my debt card a LOT more when I don't have a plan. It catches those cookies, cakes, and ice cream I mysteriously forgot to put on my list lol.

Tip #4 Spend more time with family and friends - The holidays can be a trying time when you are single. I have found the very best recipe for success is being around people you love. Round up some of your friends and have game night, or make a meal for them. There is a true sense of peace I find around my family and I don't often worry about "having that special someone" Because Im around lots of special someones 24-7 and most of the time thats free!!!

So these are my very best tips for singles. One thing I urge people to do is REMEMBER THIS IS ABOUT PERSONAL FINANCE meaning if you don't like it, don't try it. Not everyone will agree with my strategies and that is perfectly ok. If you have additional tips and Ideas we welcome them here at Divine and Debt Free because we want to reach as many people as possible with our message.

Happy Holidays!!

Why Become Debt Free?

As stated in the last post, I started my debt free journey 2 years ago and it been a crazy wild trip. It hasn't all been fun, matter of fact about 35% of the time I have struggled. I have moved 2 times during the process, worked 2 jobs, and fixed my car at least 4 times without resorting to throwing in the towel and buying new. Its not all that easy refraining from a habit you have kept most of your adult life.

When I share my story with people I get a variety of questions and responses like : "you could die tomorrow" or "you never get to have fun" or my very favorite one "good luck with that" Its never really bothered me much because from day one I started seeing progress. However the biggest question would always remain "why do this?" Well let me tell you my list could get rather long but since this is a new site and I want folks to come back I will just leave you with my top 5 reasons.

1. Being broke sucks!! - Yep I said it, I never realize in all my 27 years how much I DIDN'T get to do, until I started getting out of debt. Sure I ate at the occasional steakhouse or took a trip a state or two over once a year and I even shopped when I felt like it. But man once I started focusing on paying off debt I saw how much of a life I DIDN'T HAVE. My friends were always going on trips, going to parties, buying clothes every other day, driving nice cars and doing things I dreamed of when I didn't have money. I never noticed because I was too busy keeping afloat so it didn't seem like life was really happening around me. Now that I am almost debt free I have found a million and one things to do AFTER im debt free, and prayerfully I get to do them now that debt won't be holding me back.

2. I can't ever give to people in need - Have you ever said to someone "Im sorry can't help you money is tight" 20 or more times?? I know I have and its not a good feeling when you can't help those especially in your family, when they are in need. Becoming debt free has given me much financial backing enough so that I COULD do for others, not all the time but way more than I ever could before. Not only can I give money, I don't even have to (nor will I ) expect it back. Talk about a good feeling eh?

3. I hate telling folks I like to travel but never do - I went to south Africa when I was 17 and that was a couple months shy of 10 years ago. I would love to travel outside of the country again and even go to cool places in the states, but money has always been an issue, im looking to renew my passport soon and hopefully this time I can use it more than every 10 years.

4. I want to get married one day - Ok guys so be serious with me for a moment, have you ever dated someone and have one of the requirements be "you must have a credit score of 700 or more to date me" Ok me neither but I don't plan on it either lol. Seriously who wants to go into a marriage with LOADS of debt? Money fights is one of the main causes for divorce and I do not want to end up being like 50% of America.

5. I want to pay for my kids college - I don't actually have children yet and I pray the lord blesses me with 4 little ones, but I want to be prepared. I don't want to have college NOT be an option for my kids or have them be bogged down by financial problems that they can't focus on their studies. I know how difficult it has been for me in the past and I want my kids to not only have an opportunity to experience a debt free college but I want them to graduate knowing how money REALLY WORKS which apparently you can't get that in college.

So these are my top 5 reasons for wanting to be debt free. I am aware that some people might not actually agree with the path im on but its been very rewarding. I look forward to sharing more about my progress and one day you will get to hear me scream IM DEBT FREEEEEEEEEE!! So if you have reasons for wanting to be debt free let me know, or if you think its all crazy you can tell me that too lol what ever you do though give me a buzz!!

Personal Growth and Money

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)


Its been two years since I started on the path to debt freedom. In those two years I have improved my attitude about life and money. Learned how to set goals and stick to them. Increased my faith and awareness of my spirituality, and educated myself on building relationships. All in all its been a wonderful experience even in the hard times. However I would be lying if I said I have come full circle when it comes to personal growth.

People always say you continue to learn even as you get older, which I do believe. But what about those times when you "skip" certain parts of the growth process? As I stated in my "About me" section of my blog, I am NOT a financial adviser nor do I have any professional training in the matter, but why don't I?

I started college just as I graduated from high school, but I never finished. I could give you all the reasons why I didn't but its a pretty mute point so I will refrain. However since I started getting out of debt I have began to realize what I am passionate about. I can talk about money until Im am blue in the face, and even after it turns yellow (which is kinda hard lol) because I love it. I love to talk about budgets, credit, real estate, saving, and all things related to finance. So what is stopping me from pursuing an education in finance you ask? Fear that's what....

Even as a young adult I was scared of going into debt for school, even though I went in to debt for what turned out to be much larger than a college education I still did it can you see the irony in that? Turns out NOT finishing college was one the most dumbest things I could do. But this post today isn't about beating myself up, its about "Growth". If I am going to reach my "Full" potential I MUST go back to school point blank. I have to admit its a frighting choice but if I want to grow and continue to help others Its something that should be done. Besides all that why not get paid for doing something I love right?

With that said, I am going to start college soon, but this time its going to be debt free. Originally I had intended to wait until all my debt was paid off but, there is no reason to put it off considering the amount I can spend on a few classes is the same amount I used to fund some of those trips I went on this past summer.

Here at Divine & Debt Free we encourage everyone, if you are holding back from doing something out of fear.... don't. As the word of God says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline". 2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation)