Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

Welcome to Debt Free Stories. She and her husband paid off $147,000 in debt–including their home. After paying off the debt, she was able to quit her job to pursue her passion. She blogs at The Debt Myth. Quitting my job is one of the things being debt free has enabled us to do. How much debt did you pay off?

Debt 236

Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt Financial Goals 236

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Does the cost of a four year college or university degree scare you? We all have been taught that a college degree is the path to the good life, but is it still – when students are emerging with heavy debt and little chance of a lucrative job? But, at least I graduated without debt. Many are starting to rethink the value.

College 227

College Debt Education Student 227

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 4, 2014

Welcome to Debt Free Stories! They paid off $36,000 in debt and cash flowed graduate school. We met in college and currently both feel drawn toward higher education. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? After graduating with our bachelor’s degrees Jon and I had about $36,000 in debt between us.

Debt Free 243

Debt Free Debt Goals Student 243

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Charissa. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? We started paying it off when we got married and became debt free just shy of our second anniversary. What inspired you to become debt free? They didn’t like debt, and as I grew up, neither did I.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free College Finds 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 20, 2023

That was the year that we made the goal of paying off the last of our non-mortgage debts and we achieved it by September of that year. In 2020, our financial goals were to read, research, and understand both college and retirement planning. Our oldest is a junior in high school and college becomes reality in the fall of 2024.

Financial Goals 130

Financial Goals Goals Debt College 130

Savings Corner

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST COLLEGE STUDENT CREDIT CARDS Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website. You’ll get a card with your name on it that you can use for purchases, but your parent is legally responsible for the debt. You’ll make more progress toward eliminating your debt.

Credit Cards 52

Credit Cards Student Credit College 52

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

As I reflect back to January 2016, I started that year pretty determined to pay off the balance of our non-mortgage debts. Unfortunately, we did not hit that goal and in part, have made some major changes to our Debt Freedom Plan. Our Debt Freedom Plan Started in 2013: The year 2012 was quite exciting for me and my husband.

Debt 100

Debt 2017 Student 2016 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 4, 2015

It was nearly impossible to figure out exactly how the program would work for each query, because, as Bonnie Baker (the engaging and energetic DB2 speaker) used to put it “It depends” Likewise with understanding whether the rich use debt differently than the rest of us… it depends. It depends on how the debt is managed.

Debt 100

Debt Used Money IBM 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 19, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Anna. She is on a mission to help others become debt free. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? It was a mix of college loans, a personal loan from my parents (for college), an overdraft account, and credit card debt. Where are you from?

Credit Cards 100

Credit Cards Debt Free College Debt 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 17, 2017

If you are going on to college in the fall, don’t let summer roll by without doing some preparation work to help you avoid typical college fail points. Talk to any alumni you may know (hint parents, cousins, that kid that went off to college last year) to see what they know about it. Read up on what colleges may offer.

College 133

College Graduation Used Points 133

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 4, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Maureen. She writes at A Debt Free Stress Free Life. Besides writing on my personal finance blog, A Debt Free Stress Free Life, I’m an adjunct professor at a local college and own a residential and commercial cleaning business. How much debt did you pay off? Where are you from?

Debt 100

Debt Credit Cards Debt Free Student 100

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 21, 2020

Debts still need to be paid, cars will need new parts, homes will need to be repaired, and kids will need braces. My husband’s brain likes to see everything written down on one page, so I developed that first spreadsheet to list all of our accounts and all of our debts. How do your assets stack up against your liabilities/debts?

Family 241

Family Debt Finance Kids and Family 241

Motherhood Moments

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Through this generous program, deserving applicants are awarded an opportunity to earn their college degree debt free. KC Scholars has been delivering on their mission of scholars graduating debt free for more than six years. KC Scholars supports all its awardees throughout the process and during college.

Kansas City 130

Kansas City Kansas Student College 130

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 19, 2014

Prior to FPU, we thought we were doing well financially and never considered that we had too much debt. We didn’t have credit card debt, we paid off our car notes early, and the interest rate on the student loan was at a low 2.75%, so we thought we were doing okay. But Dave Ramsey’s view of debt is very different.

Debt 100

Debt Money Emergency Fund Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 13, 2016

So I’m thrilled to bring you today’s story, because I actually watched this couple’s debt free scream when it was live on the show. Drew & Farrah’s Debt Free Story. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it? What inspired you to get debt free? Where are you from?

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Finds Home 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Brian. He writes at Debt Discipline about about how his family of 5 deals with money, budgets and debt. I started my blog Debt Discipline to help keep us accountable while paying off our debt. How much debt did you pay off? What kind of debt was it?

Debt 100

Debt Credit Cards Debt Free Credit 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 2, 2021

I wanted to reduce our non-mortgage debt, my clutter, my distractions, my impact on the environment, and my consumption of sweets. After writing some financial goals that had a lot to do with researching topics, such as retirement and college savings strategies, I realized that maybe my word for 2020 was READ. But 2019 was different.

Debt 130

Debt 2020 2019 Financial Goals 130

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 17, 2014

We’ll talk about cash flow, budgets, debts, and all of the nitty gritty of our finances that might not be fun to talk about, but are so important to discuss. For years, my husband and I didn’t consider OUR debts to be wrong. To us, debt was a necessary evil. Today’s assignment: Create a Plan to Eliminate Your Debt.

Debt 100

Debt Finance Organic Organization 100

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 25, 2023

How do I choose a private college loan online? Instead of basing your loan offer on your credit, they look at your academic performance and earning potential to determine your ability to pay back the debt. Depending on the lender, you may be able to choose a fixed or a variable interest rate. How do I apply for a private student loan?

Student 52

Student College Credit Debt 52

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

You can use this money for any purpose, including home remodeling , consolidating higher-interest debt , college tuition and other financial needs. Cash-out refinances are generally best for big-ticket costs: Think home renovations or major debt consolidation. The difference between the two is given to you in a lump-sum payment.

Refinancing 52

Refinancing Work Debt Home Improvement 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 10, 2012

I was in college for five and a half years for a four year program prior to graduating, and I paid my way through the whole thing. I learned quickly that the costs add up and that budgeting is of utmost importance if you want to graduate without thousands of dollars worth of debt. Which I did want to do.

College 188

College Library Rent Saving 188

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 8, 2020

My word was REDUCE: Non-mortgage debt to zero. There were hits and misses on this list, and many are things that I will continue to work on, but let’s recap: 1 – Reduce non-mortgage debt to zero. We’ve been working since 2013 to pay off a boat load of non-mortgage debt. clutter/stuff that we don’t need.

Financial Goals 130

Financial Goals Goals 2020 2019 130

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 6, 2022

In the grand scheme of college funding, $200 is a drop in the bucket, but I always appreciate free money. Years ago during our Debt Freedom Plan, I avoided using credit cards, not because we had credit card debt, but because I was trying to limit our overall spending. Credit Card Cash Back Redemptions in July: $196.

July 130

July Frugal Credit Cards Donation 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 5, 2014

Manisha has an MBA from Harvard and serves as a Financial Fellow at Wellesley College. How we handle our money early in life can impact us in future years- for example, young adults who rely on credit may find themselves continuing this pattern throughout life and consumed with debt.” Start an aggressive debt payoff schedule.

Personal Finance 192

Personal Finance Finance Finance Tips Graduation 192

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

I made some foolish choices shortly after graduating college, burning through my savings and running up credit card bills. I think of the period of my life right after college my “quarter life crisis,” which included a series of money mistakes. What’s the “why” behind your money-saving efforts?

California 168

California Cars Car College 168

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 11, 2020

We paid off our last non-mortgage debt in September and have since sent that loan’s monthly payment to our mortgage principal. We just finished paying off our non-mortgage debts and now we were considering taking out a car loan. Update our Debt Freedom Plan to reflect lessons learned during this crisis.

Budgeting 246

Budgeting Budget Family Debt 246

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

I’m 47, married, and living amongst the cornfields in a college town in the Midwest U.S. As our family and household income grew, my husband and I made it a goal to put more money aside for emergencies, retirement, college, home improvements, etc. I live in a fairly transient town with lots of college students. helping out 7.

Kids and Family 181

Kids and Family Home and Garden Money Frugal 181

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

I came into adulthood struggling to pay my way through college and then struggling to repay student loans on a small salary. I was always in debt, which has been a tremendous source of shame for me. As I was paying my way through college. Apply it toward debt. I learned how to repair my own car. Marrying my husband.

Daughter 130

Daughter Green And Frugal Money Grandmother 130

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Mise en place for a recipe Even in college, when I was living in a dorm, and had a dining hall meal plan that meant I could get whatever I wanted whenever I wanted it, I still cooked and baked. I was in 4th grade, and had 2 younger siblings when they began their debt-repayment journey. You can find MechEs in pretty much every industry.

Kids and Family 186

Kids and Family Parenting Cars Car 186

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

Key takeaways A home equity loan allows you to borrow a lump sum against your home’s equity, usually at a fixed interest rate that’s lower than other forms of consumer debt. While high compared to their average of six percent in 2022, that’s significantly lower than other forms of consumer debt. What is a home equity loan?

Home 52

Home Debt Credit Cards Credit 52

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 29, 2024

When my daddy passed last January, I inherited all the heavy farm labor responsibilities- I never knew I could have impressive muscles😊 It feels like I’ve been going to a homesteading college this year, it’s a love/hate relationship. We have sheep, an old goat, chickens, guineas, dogs & cats.

Arkansas 177

Arkansas Frugal College Kids and Family 177

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 30, 2015

At the time, I wasn’t sure how we were going to pay our monthly bills, so future plans like funding our retirement , our daughters’ college education, or a lavish vacation were not on my mind. But once I created our debt freedom plan and outlined the steps we would take to wade through the hardships, I was overcome with relief.

Financial Goals 100

Financial Goals Debt Goals Emergency Fund 100

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

I should have known he was special as he asked for a set of “Time-Life” home repair books when he was in college. I have to be careful not to earn to much as we need to maintain certain limits to qualify for college grants and funding. He is also thrifty and is much better at budgeting than I. My cat satisfying his thirst!

Kids and Family 184

Kids and Family Money Home and Garden Frugal 184

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 27, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Olivia. Ryan is a high school math teacher and also officiates college basketball (November thru March). We are both planners and despise wasting money on debt/interest, which is what led us to pay off our mortgage as soon as we could! How much debt did you pay off?

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt Finds 100

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 24, 2023

Key takeaways A personal loan is money you can borrow to finance large purchases, consolidate debt, invest in yourself or cover emergency expenses. Working to improve your credit score and reduce your debt-to-income ratio before applying can help get you the best loan terms. Here are some of the most common applications.

Debt 52

Debt Credit Cards Credit College Tuition 52

Penny Pinchin' Mom

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Pay Down Debt Yes, this is a good way to set yourself up financially. Getting out of debt should make the top three of your financial priorities. Besides, paying off your debt and keeping it at a healthy minimum will help your credit score rating. And if they don’t, you can use it as part of your retirement fund!

Money 52

Money Insurance Debt Bulk 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Building a college finance fund takes dedication and consistency. When your children are college age, they can always get a private student loan. But those can saddle your children with debt for 20 years or more! But those can saddle your children with debt for 20 years or more! Know Your Actual Budget.

College 100

College Budgeting Budget Friends And Family Sale 100