Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  They announced that they were breaking up with debt in October 2007.  They have agreed to share their Debt Freedom March with everyone in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same!

Here is this month's update.

Overall, we really have control over our budget.  Still doing a GREAT job with the cash envelopes and we DO NOT live pay check to pay check at all!!    Actually, neither one of us know it is pay day until the deposit slip comes in the mail.  It is a wonderful feeling.

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

 Month By Month Progress …

Sangl Says

Couple #2 have torched over $33,000 in debt in less than two years!  They are ON IT!  They have backed off on the debt pay-off plan for a little while because they are replenishing their emergency fund and their new baby fund!  Exciting times for Couple #2!

Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  They announced that they were breaking up with debt in October 2007.  They have agreed to share their Debt Freedom March with everyone in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same!

Here is this month's update.

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

Month By Month Progress …

Sangl Says

This is the one year anniversary of Couple #2's Debt Freedom March and look at how much debt they have paid off!  They started out in the $70,000 range and are now in the $40,000 range.  They have paid off $24,410 in ONE YEAR!

I am so excited for Couple #2.  They are being blessed financially and instead of running out and blowing all of it, they are using it as an opportunity to completely change their entire financial future! 

Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been eight months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt.  They have agreed to share their Debt Freedom March with everyone in the hopes to inspire others to do the same!

Here is this month's update.

Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been eight months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt.  They have agreed to share their Debt Freedom March with everyone in the hopes to inspire others to do the same!

Here is this month's update.

What went well this month?

Everything went well.  We have really got a handle on our budget, and we don't seem to have many struggles.

Challenges and struggles this month? 

We both are in sales, so sometimes we have extra money come in that is not budgeted.  Our goal is to put that money toward debt. This month we had a little extra money, and we did not put it toward debt… we used it as play money.  We want to work on this for the future so we can shorten our Debt Freedom date.  But, we didn't beat ourselves up for it.  We work hard and enjoyed doing a little extra spending this month.  We expect a bonus or two next month, and we are going to try and put a little bit of it toward debt.  Wish us luck!

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

Month By Month Progress …

What has helped you stay on this Debt Freedom March? 

There are several reasons why we have stuck to the plan.  The Debt Freedom March has provided structure for our money.  We have enjoyed paying our bills all at one time and not having to worry about paying bills again until the next month.  We never worry about having "unexpected expenses" because we have the "known upcoming expenses" account set up.  Another bonus is we don't noticed "pay day" anymore because we are not living paycheck to paycheck.  All in all, this plan helps us feel in control of our money and our future.  We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and that keeps us going along.  We are looking forward to being debt free, and there is no way we are going to stop now.

How has this Debt Freedom March impacted your marriage relationship?

Luckily, we have always had the same view about how we spend our money and what we want for the future.  Believe it or not…  we have never fought about money.  So, I guess I would have to say the debt freedom plan has helped us work as a team and look toward our future in a different way.  We see ourselves having the life we want without the headache of worrying how we are going to pay for it.  I am sure it has impacted us in other ways that we are not aware of at this time.  But, I have no doubt that we will be able to look back in 10 years and see that sticking to the Debt Freedom March impacted our lives more that we could have ever imagined.

Sangl says …

Nine months ago, Couple #2 caught a vision of what life could be like without payments.  In this nine month period, they have been able to knock fifteen months off their Debt Freedom Date!  At this current rate, they will become debt-free in around eighteen months (January 2010) and it will have taken them only 27 months total to do it!

When they become debt-free, they will have freed up $1,775 in take-home pay every single month!  How much does one have to earn to bring home $1,775?  About $2,500 if their total tax rate is 30%!  This means that they are going to give themselves a $30,000/year raise in about eighteen months!

I love this stuff! 

Readers …

How much do you send to debt each month?  Why not pay it off and give yourself a massive pay raise? 

You can do this too!  I share my story and teach these tools in my book, I Was Broke. Now I'm Not.  

This stuff FIRES ME UP!!!! 

Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been eight months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt.  They have agreed to share their Debt Freedom March with everyone in the hopes to inspire others to do the same!

Here is this month's update.

What went well this month … 

The whole process went well.  We were able to pay more toward Vehicle 1, which is going to help us pay it off faster.  We hope to keep doubling our payments, and pay it off eight months early.  We kept to the cash envelopes and did not accumulate any new debt.  Overall, it was a terrific month!!

Challenges and struggles this month …

We are doing so well now and we really don't face any challenges any more.  We know what we need to do and we just stick with the plan.

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

Month By Month Progress …

What is your favorite tool on JosephSangl.com?

I like the blogs.  It is nice to see how other couples are doing on the Debt Freedom program, as well as hear feedback from the readers.

Sangl Says …

Couple #2 has been after their debt for just eight months, but look at how much they have gained!  They have cut their "Months Until Debt Freedom" by nearly fourteen months!  They have paid off $18,000 in debt!  They could have used that money to go on some serious vacations, buy a new vehicle, or other fun item, but they have chosen to live this way for just a little while so that they can break the cycle of debt.

Think about what life will be looking like for Couple #2 in just a short time when they achieve debt freedom!  They will free up $1,775 in monthly payments.  That is TAKE-HOME pay!  How much money does one have to earn to take home $1,775?  About $2,500!  So, Couple #2 is going to be able to give themselves the equivalent of a $30,000/year raise.  WOW!

Readers …

If you dumped all of your debt (and its associated debt payments), how much of a raise could you give yourself?

Start your own Debt Freedom March by visiting the FREE "TOOLS" page and by obtaining a copy of I Was Broke. Now I'm Not on AMAZON.COM, BORDERS.COM, or via PAYPAL.  This book tells my story AND teaches the practical tools that my family used to win with money.  You can too!

Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been seven months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt.

Here is this month's update!

What went well this month …
This was a good month.  We stuck to our cash envelopes and, of course, did not add any new debt.  We got money back from our taxes, which we used to PAY OFF OUR LAST CREDIT CARD!!!!  Yes, that's right…no more credit card debt!!!!!!  As Joe suggested, we saved a little of our tax reFUNd for ourselves, and used the rest to pay toward debt.  We had enough money to put an EXTRA $1,000 toward paying off Vehicle #1.  It was a great month!! 

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

Month By Month Progress …

What has kept you on track for seven months?  What motivates you to stick with it?
When we first started this we had meetings with Joe every month or so.  The fact that we had someone holding us accountable for our actions made a difference in the beginning.  Of course, we wanted to do what he said and be able to show him we were making progress each month.  But, as time went by we really got into it.  The fact that we could be debt free in  2 or 3 years (other than our home) was really exciting to us.  Especially since I thought I was going to pay on my student loan for the next 15 years!!  Once we got started there was no turning back.  We love paying for things in cash, we love having a plan (AKA: Known Upcoming Expenses Account) and we love paying off our debt and not adding to it.  It is freeing!!  Our focus starting in April is paying off Vehicle #1.  I think that is key…taking it one month at a time, having a focus and celebrating each feat, no matter how big or small.

One last thing that has help my husband and I stay focused is we are a team.  It takes 100% TEAM WORK!!  When one of us is weak, the other is strong.  We make decisions together and stick to the plan together!!!!

Sangl says …
It is AWESOME to see what is happening in Couple #2's lives!!!  I am BLOWN AWAY every single time I see people "get it" and catch a vision of what life will be like without payments.  In just SEVEN months, this couple has paid off $16,339 in debt AND eliminated ALL OF THEIR CREDIT CARDS!!!  In just SEVEN MONTHS, Couple #2 has reduced their Debt Freedom Date by TEN MONTHS.  They are already THREE MONTHS ahead of plan!  This is typical for folks who say "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!"  (Their IHHE Moment!)

I would not be surprised to see Couple #2 achieve Debt Freedom twenty months from now.  That would make Christmas 2009 and AWESOME Christmas!  Think about it …  Imagine saying to each other at Christmas, "Honey, I bought you Debt Freedom for Christmas!  We now have over $1,600 a month that we can spend on other cool things like investments, vacations, and giving!"

Start your own Debt Freedom March by visiting the FREE "TOOLS" page or by obtaining a copy of I Was Broke. Now I'm Not on AMAZON.COM, BORDERS.COM, or via PAYPAL.

Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been five months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt.

Here is this month's update!

What went well this month …

Things are going great, and we are sticking to the plan.

Challenges and struggles this month …

I really don't have anything different to say as far as the challenges and struggles for this month.

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

Month By Month Progress …

What are the biggest changes you have seen as a result of the first six months of this march …

Introduction

This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been five months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt.

Here is this month's update!

What went well this month …

This is month five, and as you can see (from our Debt Freedom Date calculation) we are on the way to debt freedom.  Joe's system gets much easier with time!  We've really changed our financial lifestyle.

Challenges and struggles this month … 

This month was fairly easy.  We'd like to pay more than $325 on the Discover, but some other things came up and we had to plan for them.  However, we didn't accumulate any new debt!  We'll use our tax refund to pay off the Discover balance, and begin working to pay vehicle #1 off about ten months early!

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

Month By Month Progress …

Anything else you want to share?

We get paid on the 15th and 30th every month. A few months ago I couldn’t wait for those checks to come in because we were dependent on them.

About three months in to this, the “pay days” became regular days.

Any challenges you want to issue to others who are reading the web site?

My wife basically dragged me to our first meeting with Joe. Our finances weren’t horrendous, but weren’t great either. We had a few thousand dollars in savings, but were living pay check to pay check with some debt.  I was embarrassed for an outsider to look into our personal business.  My first question to Joe was, “What qualifies you to tell me how to handle my money?” Joe briefly told his story and I began to listen and realized I wasn’t going to be judged on my past financial decisions.  This put me at ease.

We’ve been doing this for 4-5 months now, and it has changed our lives. I still buy what I want, eat what I want and go where I want, it’s just budgeted. We are paying off debt quickly, and working towards financial freedom.

My point …  I know someone out there is skeptical or embarrassed about their situation, its okay.  Call Joe! 

Sangl says …

I am so fired up by Couple #2's progress!  I am ready to CRY!

Couple #2 is ON FIRE!  They have been on this journey for just FIVE months, and they have already paid off $11,693!  They are experiencing a time of blessing, and they are taking full advantage of this time to knock out their debt!  While they did not totally eliminate a debt this month, they did reduce their debt by $1,720.  Simply amazing.

Readers – What you are seeing unfold before you with Couples #1 and #2 is what I am seeing literally HUNDREDS of people do!  There are HUNDREDS of people who have taken control of their finances, developed a written spending plan, and are absolutely changing their entire financial future!

Couple #2 – You guys are inspiring others to take their finances to the next level!  Thank you so much for sharing!

Readers …

Have you had enough?  Have you had your "I Have Had Enough" Moment?  It's time to put together a plan that helps you win with your finances.  You can start by putting together a written plan using one of the budget forms available on the "TOOLS" page.  Just click on the word "TOOLS" at the top right-hand corner of the page.

Want to read my story and learn how to take your finances to a new level?  Purchase a copy of I Was Broke. Now I'm Not.  I can promise you that it is written at a level you can understand and immediately apply to your finances!

Read Previous Updates For Couple #2

You can receive each post from www.JosephSangl.com FREE via E-MAIL by clicking HERE!

Introduction
This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been four months since they announced that they were breaking up with debt.

Here is the update.

What went well this month …
We had a great December!!  We finished all of our Christmas shopping and paid for every dime of it in cash!!  We had extra money come in during December and paid extra on the Discover card, which brought the balance down a lot.  We finally got a handle on the cash envelopes and made them last during this month.  We are very excited about how far we have come in only FOUR months.  For anyone who is on the fence about trying Joe's program…GO FOR IT NOW!!!!  We are so happy with our progress, but can't help but to think how far ahead we would be if we had only started sooner.  But…  we are very proud of our success and are looking forward to being debt free.

Challenges and struggles for this month …
Believe it or not, this month was pretty easy.  We planned for everything (trip to Florida, trip to Georgia, Christmas presents, Best Friend's birthday, etc.).  Since we try to look ahead each month there aren't as many surprises.  I can't think of anything that was a struggle or challenge for December.  It is getting easier!!

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

Month By Month Progress …

Sangl says …
Did you notice that Couple #2 paid off ANOTHER credit card?!!!  This couple is experiencing a time of blessing, and they are utilizing it as the opportunity to become debt-free!  Another $27 and this couple will have paid off over $10,000 in debt!  That is INCREDIBLE!!!  They have reduced their debt by 13.9%!!!

I am FIRED UP by the progress this couple is making!  They have been at this for FOUR months, but did you notice what is happening to their Debt Freedom Date Calculation?  It has went down SIX months!  They are two months ahead of schedule already!  This is why I regularly say that people who commit to becoming debt-free usually achieve it in 2/3 of the time calculated by the Debt Freedom Date Calculation.  Why?  Because when people are truly committed to accomplishing debt freedom, they will put off some "wants" and redirect that money toward their debt!

Readers …

Are you feeling the momentum that this couple has with them?  It is January.  Early January.  Why not make this year THE YEAR that you take control of your money and start your own Debt Freedom March?

Read Recent Posts 

Read Previous Updates For Couple #2

You can receive each post from www.JosephSangl.com FREE via E-MAIL by clicking HERE!

Introduction
This couple is THROUGH with debt!  It has now been four months since they announced to their debt that they are breaking up with it!

Here's this month's update!

What went well this month …
This month was a good month.  We planned ahead for things that were going to cost us money (2 weddings, a birthday and a baby shower).  We also worked on our Christmas shopping this month…started early…and paid in CASH!!  It was GREAT!!

Another great thing about this month is we didn't even realize it was pay day until we saw the money deposited in our bank account.  Planning ahead and scheduling all of our bills at the beginning of the month frees us from worrying about when the next check is coming in.  In other words, we are not living pay check to pay check anymore.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, we paid off another credit card…3 down, 1 to go!!

Challenges and struggles for this month …
Just like the past couple of months we have struggled with making our cash envelopes stretch until the end of the month.  But, it helps us practice saying NO!!

We overspent on our gas this month by about $60.  When we planned the trips to the two weddings we did not incorporate the cost of gas; one was in NC and the other in Tenn.  And we had Thanksgiving in Georgia.  I did not think about the extra gas we would need this month.  We have to go to Florida for Christmas and we are going to budget gas money for the trip.  I won't forget about the extra gas money from now on, that's for sure!!!

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation …

 Month By Month Progress …

Sangl says …
Couple #2 discovered that they owed less on vehicle 2 and that reduced their debt owed by nearly $3,000, but they still were able to reduce actual debt by nearly $1,800!  I am FIRED up to see that the Providian card has left!  Another CC bites the dust!

The challenge now is to pay off the Disover card.  If they pay $325/month, it will take over a year to pay off this debt!  That is a long time and it could really challenge Couple 2 to stick with their plan.  I would really like to see Discover leave sooner because regular victories are so key to sticking with this plan!

Here's to hoping that a Christmas bonus or Tax Refund is in their future!

I am also PUMPED up to hear that Couple 2 is no longer living paycheck-to-paycheck!  I remember the day that I stopped living paycheck-to-paycheck.  I still have that feeling of relief and stress reduction.

Way to go!

Readers …
Couple 2 has made great progress!  How is YOUR debt freedom plan going?

Would you share with Couple 2 your thoughts on how their willingness to "put it all out there for the world to see" is inspiring you to embark on your own Debt Freedom March?

View past updates from Couple #2 

Read recent posts on www.JosephSangl.com 

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