Blog #001
I'M DEBT FREE!
8/1/2021 - The last 12 months have been a whirlwind. First, I had a divorce that was finalized August 2020, that in itself was a lot to handle but only a month later on my birthday 9/30 I was laid off from my job at Wells Fargo Arena. I loved that job and wasn’t quite sure what to do at the time. To be 100% real with you all, I was a little lost. However, staying optimistic and happy has always been my thing. Given I lost my job a month after the divorce was finalized I was still needing to refinance my house to get it in my name. So, I wasn’t sure if I was going to lose my home, I didn’t have a job and I was on unemployment. My financial life was a little up in the air to say the least. I had purchased a camera in November of 2019, I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and this was a perfect opportunity. My back was against the wall, I just lost my job, I had less than a $1,000 to my name and I had a camera.
.
Last year from October to April I was able to save $20,000 and keep the roof over my head & not go further into debt. I was able to get a job lined up and start on 4/1/21 to get my house refinanced and start paying off debt. I knew that I had student loans but never knew how much. I never wanted to know the full amount, I was making the minimum payments but thought I would just pay them off like everyone else in 8-10 years. I was very fortunate that my own photography/videography business had taken off and I had that ah ha moment on March 30, 2021. 6 months before my birthday and also the same day the student loan interest would start back up. I set a goal to pay off the student loans by my birthday 9/30, a year after I lost my job.
.
I calculated all of my student loans and my car balance that was left and it totaled, $63,359.63. I was shocked… I have always been oblivious to how much debt I had and didn’t want to live that way any longer. I know it’s a very popular thing to have debt but I didn’t want to be normal any more. I was living way below my means and paid for all my normal living expenses from my Fortress Bank job. Every other penny was thrown at my student loans and car.
.
I had heard of Dave Ramsey before but never had listen to the podcast or anything like that but when I started this journey I wanted something to follow. For me, having goals and easy steps to follow made this a lot more obtainable. I was a complete nerd these last 4 months and will continue to be moving forward with my financial literacy and financial future. I couldn’t endorse Dave Ramsey more and love what their principles stand for. I am so proud to finally say, I am DEBT FREEEE!!! A little under 4 months of sacrifice with no more debt payments, a new plan and goal for life and a breathe of fresh air moving forward. Of course there are going to be bumps along the way but nothing I can’t handle. I am so thankful for all of the business I have gotten these last 12 months, just know that I will be forever grateful for you all and you all played a huge part in my journey.
