Introduction

Couple #1 is THROUGH with debt!  They have been married for many years and have two children.  They are now SEVEN months into their march.  Here is this month's update.

What went well this month ...

We are working the plan.  I jacked up the emergency fund to $5,000 and payed a little more on some bills.

What were the challenges/struggles this month ...

NONE

What has kept you on the wagon for SEVEN months?

I sleep at night.  I owe this to my family.  God has blessed us with so much, and I need to take good care of it.

Updated Debt Freedom Date

Month By Month Progress

Sangl Says ...

Incredible progress again this month!  This is outstanding.  By my calculations, this family will be debt-free except for their house (1st Mortgage and Home Equity) in less than TWELVE MONTHS!  That will be INCREDIBLE!

Lowes and American Express are going to be leaving within the next few months and then the dentist is going to be VERY CONFUSED when the office receives a snowball payment of $1,170 ($500 Lowes + $500 AMEX + $170 Braces)!  It is so fun to watch the debts just leave!

Readers ...

THIS is what happens when you experience your IHHE Moment and get intensely focused!  This debt does not stand a chance.  I love it!  This stuff works!  I can't wait to receive an invitation to YOUR debt freedom party!

Read Previous Monthly Updates For Couple #1 HERE

Like what you are reading?  Receive each post automatically in your E-MAIL by clicking HERE.

I am excited to introduce Couple #3 - the newest members of the "Marching To Debt Freedom" crusade.

Introduction

This couple has been married for many years and have one child.   They have HAD IT with their debt and have been marching toward debt freedom since November 2007.  They are THROUGH with credit cards.

What went well this month ...

We transferred our Bank of America card balance to another card at a much lower interest rate.  We also got the interest rate reduced on one of the Discover cards.  We "spent" our tax refund before we actually received it, and it went much further!  Half of it funded our emergency fund which is now over $2,900!

What were the challenges/struggles this month ...

Not really any this month ...  except we want it all paid off!

Updated Debt Freedom Date ...

Sangl Says ...

I am excited about the progress of Couple #3!  One debt is already paid off, and more are getting ready to fall!  It is AMAZING how fast debt can leave when you have your IHHE Moment!

I challenge everyone to seek lower interest rates on any debt you are carrying.  Many times you can obtain a lower interest rate just by calling your credit card.  Or you can avoid the conflict altogether by rolling the balance over to a "0% for 12 months" card. 

Readers ...

Will you take a moment to leave a comment for Couple #3 and thank them for sharing their personal financial information with everyone?  It takes a lot of courage to do this, and I am PUMPED to watch this debt fly away!

Read the Debt Freedom March updates for Couple #1 and Couple #2 

Want to start your own Debt Freedom March?  Check out the free tools HERE.  My book also teaches you how to use all of the free tools.  You can purchase your copy at AMAZON.COM or via PAYPAL! 

Receive each post automatically in your E-MAIL by clicking HERE

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

Couple #1 is THROUGH with debt!  They have been married for many years and have two children.  They are now SIX months into their march.  Here is this month's update.

What went well this month ...

WOW! This is like when you can fit into your skinny jeans again.  God blessed us and sent us a bonus check and instead of blowing it, I put it to good use.  I paid off my car, and paid $3,000.00 on the other car.  I am stoked!  In about three months, I will be shed of all debt except the big stuff.  We are also getting a tax refund, and I am hurling that at debt too.  I feel like David reaching for the stones, baby!

What were the challenges/struggles this month ...

The only struggle is feeling guilty because we did not do this early on.  I would be a freaking gazillionare by now.  God rocks.  Joe rocks.  Not being broke rocks.  Yee Ha!

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

This has made us focus like a laser beam on our finances - both good and bad.  It has let us have a glimpse of what life will be like with no debt, and I like it.  I can only wish that anyone who reads this takes it to heart.  Don't let credit cards ruin your happiness.  I will always remember my IHHE Moment!

Updated Debt Freedom Date ...

Month By Month Progress ...

Sangl Says ...

ANOTHER DEBT IS GONE!  Couple #1 has definitely had enough.  Look at the progress they have made in just six months!  Their initial Debt Freedom Date calculation was 42.9 months.  They are now down to 35.1 months AND they have avoided all new debt.  They had to slow down during Christmas so that they could avoid debt that month, but it allowed them to stay on the path toward financial freedom.  In just six months, Couple #1 has made FOUR different debts leave their life!

Way to go, Couple #1!  I am FIRED UP by the progress you guys are making!

Readers ...

How are you doing on YOUR debt freedom march?  You can do this!

Read Previous Monthly Updates For Couple #1 HERE

Like what you are reading?  Receive each post automatically in your E-MAIL by clicking HERE.

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

Couple #1 is THROUGH with debt!  They have been married for many years and have two children.  They are now four months into their march.  Here is this month's update.

What went well this month ...

We paid cash for Christmas, and we didn't spend as much this year.  Our kids are older, and it is not so much about the gift as it is about showing your family how much they mean to you.

Challenges and struggles for this month …

Only minimum payments were paid this month.  That means wasted interest and delayed freedom but our day will come.  2008 will be a watershed year, or should I say a debt shedding year.  I am jacked up about it.  I plan on sleeping better because I don't have to worry who I am going to pay tomorrow. 

Updated Debt Freedom Date …

Month By Month Progress …

Sangl says …

This month Couple #1 has experienced something that every single person who attempts to pay off debt WILL EXPERIENCE - They encountered a Budget-Busting Expense.  They chose (rightly) to AVOID MORE DEBT by paying the minimum payments.  This allowed them to PAY CASH for Christmas!

Think about it this way.  How demoralizing would it be for you to be attacking your debt and then have to turn back to debt because you do not have money for a budget-busting expense?  It has derailed many attempts at achieving debt freedom.  Don't let this happen to you!  Choose to do what Couple #1 did - slow down enough on the debt freedom march to have the cash on hand for your budget-busting expenses!

Way to go Couple #1!  I am FIRED UP by your progress!  You guys are inspiring THOUSANDS to take control of their finances!  I can't WAIT for your Debt Freedom Party!

Readers …

You too can PAY CASH for next Christmas!  Read the series "Save Money For Next Christmas" to avoid debt during Christmas 2008!

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 

Subscribe for FREE to www.JosephSangl.com

Introduction

Couple #1 has HAD IT with debt!  They have been married for many years and have two children.

It has now been three full months since they embarked on their Debt Freedom March!  That means that the hardest months are behind them!

On to the update for this month!

What went well this month …

I can see improvement not just in the numbers but in the actions of me and my family. The kids are starting not to hound me for things that cost so much.

Challenges and struggles for this month …

Christmas is LOOMING and I have not planned ahead.  I think what I have decided to do is to pay cash for Christmas and to pay the minimums on the debt just for this month and resume the march in Jan. This will be the last year of a Christmas not planned ahead.

Updated Debt Freedom Date ...

 Month By Month Progress ...

Sangl says ...

I am FIRED UP by the progress that Couple 1 has made!  In just three short months, they have made two debts leave and paid off over $3,000 in debt!

Even more important, the family is getting on board!  The children are realizing how huge of a lifestyle change this is and are jumping on board!  There is NOTHING like a united family attacking debt.

I am thrilled to see that Couple 1 is going to start saving for Christmas 2008 in January!  It is SO MUCH EASIER to save for known, upcoming expenses over the course of months instead of absorbing the entire budget-crushing expense in a single month.

While they are going to pay less on debt, I am PUMPED to see that they are avoiding Christmas debt by paying cash!  This is so important!  As you attack debt, you will encounter expenses that threaten your ability to avoid debt.  You have to make the decision that NOTHING is important enough to go get debt.  Way to go!

Readers ...

You can save for Christmas (and property taxes, annual insurance premiums, and other known, upcoming expenses) in advance as well with your own monthly escrow account.  THIS ARTICLE shows you exactly how to do it!

It is encouragement time for Couple 1.  Would you take a moment to share your thoughts with Couple 1?

You can receive each article FREE via E-MAIL by clicking HERE! 

Introduction

This couple has announced to their debt that they are breaking up with it.  Their friendship with debt has waned and frankly, it's time for them to cut debt out of the picture.

It has now been three months since Couple #2 began their March Toward Debt Freedom!  This PUMPS me up!  Why?  Because I know that the third monthly spending plan is when financial plans really begin to take off!

On to the update.

Here is their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation.

What went well this month ... 

Great news!!  We paid off two credit cards; Belk and Home Depot!!!  This will free up $125 to put toward paying off the Providian.  We are so excited!!  We did not accumulate any new debt this month either.  The cash envelopes have really helped us to “live within our means.”  We never thought of ourselves as “living above our means” before, but that is exactly what we were doing over the last several months.  Thank God for Joe and his plan to help us become debt free.  We have a ways to go, but I feel like a different person…like I have more control over our future.

Challenges and struggles for this month ... 

We had to practice saying NO this month.  Both of our envelopes ran out of cash pretty fast, so we had to "just say no."  In a way it was nice, but still tough.  Sometimes we think we need to do everything just because we are asked, but now we have realized if it is not budgeted, we don't do it.  Our family and friends were very understanding.  I simply explained to them what we were doing and they were very respectful of our decisions.  The cash envelopes take time to get used to, but in the long run we know if we say no today we can say yes in the future.  Next month we are going to work on making the cash envelopes last longer.

One more thing…in the beginning, we estimated on how much we owe on our Student Loans and Vehicle One.  However, we realized that we estimated a little high on Student Loan Two & Vehicle One and low on Student Loan One.  We owe about $900 less on Student Loan 2, $500 less on Vehicle 1 and $400 more on Student Loan 1.  Lesson learned…double check everything, even if you think you are correct.  Luckily, we owe less than we thought, but it would not have been encouraging to learn we had more debt.  This was irresponsible on our part, but I want to tell everyone just in case someone else out there did the same thing.

Sangl says ...

I am so PROUD of Couple #2!  They have made it through the three most difficult months of developing good spending plans.  They are well on their way to Debt Freedom!  I think it is awesome to see that the Debt Freedom Date has moved up 1.6 months from last month!

Couple #2 - Make sure that you are preparing for Christmas in your spending plan.  You want to make sure that you can pay cash for Christmas and continue your awesome progress! 

I am so appreciative that you are willing to share your journey with thousands of others!

Readers ...

How has Couple #2 inspired you to take control of your finances?  Would you leave a word of encouragement in the comments?

View past updates from Couple #2 

Read recent posts on www.JosephSangl.com 

Subscribe for FREE to www.JosephSangl.com

Introduction

Couple #1 has HAD IT with debt!  They have been married for many years and have two children.

It has now been two full months since they embarked on their Debt Freedom March!

Here's the update for this month!

What went well this month ...

The budget is in effect and being cursed daily.  The debt is being taken out 1 by 1.  Two Cards are ZERO and a 3rd will fall this month The emergency fund is funded.

Challenges and struggles for this month ...

It is hard because Christmas is coming ,and I have obviously not looked at a calendar.  I am going to do the best I can to go without in other areas and cut back on total Chistmas spending. This time next year I will have Christmas already funded.

Here is what their updated Debt Freedom Date calculation looks like.

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