My dad.
It all started to sink in when I was in college.
My dad kept telling me how he was having his house reappraised.
At first I didn’t get it.
And then it finally clicked.
The reason for his reappraisals was so that his home could be valued more and he then could borrow more against it.
The realization left me lost for words and understanding.
What I did know.
I knew my dad had struggled with debt.
He already had filed bankruptcy once, but somehow managed to get approved for more credit cards. He was always buying new gadgets for his computer and other things he didn’t really need.
You would think that filing bankruptcy you would learn your lesson, but unfortunately that was not the case.
He managed to rack up even more credit card debt after his bankruptcy.
One vivid memory is the white sheet of paper sitting on his computer desk that listed all of his credit card debts with the current interest rate and the next minimum payment amount.
He was constantly juggling trying to figure out how he could borrow money from one credit card to make the minimum payment on the next.
He tried to lead on that it didn’t stress him out, but I knew better.
I could see it in his face and hear it in his voice.
His debt was killing him.
I would like to think that my dad wanted something different.
That he didn’t want to be in debt.
For whatever reason, he could never figure a way out.
Like father like son.
In college, I started down that same path. I took out student loans when I didn’t have to since the National Guard paid for my tuition and most of my fees.
A friend of mine showed me how easy it was to apply for a student loan. It was like getting free money at a vending machine. I filled out the form, turned it in, and poof, a few weeks later I had a check for $2,700 in my mailbox.
On top of that, I opened a few different credit cards and found it super-convenient to swipe them whenever I was getting ready to make my next purchase. I had even co-signed a credit card with my girlfriend at the time, forcing some of my bad behavior on her.
After a few years of kidding myself that I wasn’t becoming what my father had become, I finally woke up. Thanks to a change in mindset and a small inheritance from my grandmother, I was able to make a full commitment to get and stay out of debt for good.
The lucky one.
Reflecting back, I feel like I was one of the lucky ones. My father passed away in debt.
So many others struggle with the exact same issue and need help.
That’s why I’m starting the Debt Movement™.
I’ve partnered with ReadyForZero and the financial blogging community to help people pay off $10,000,000 of debt in 90 days.
In case that didn’t sink in, let me repeat myself.
We are going to help people pay off $10 million of debt in 90 days.
The Debt Movement is more than just a big number. It’s about giving people the tools, the motivation and the belief that they can finally taste financial freedom.
Watch the video below to learn more:
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Another awesome movement Jeff. I am working on my article now and can;t wait to help spread the word to help others better their lives.
I love your heart and the desire you have to help people! This is going to be the best movement yet!
Great video intro Jeff, very heartfelt. Hopefully we can change lives with this Debt Movement!
Thanks for sharing your story, Jeff, and for spearheading the Debt Movement. I bet your dad is smiling down on you for your efforts to help others avoid the trap of debt.
I am ready to start knocking out some more debt this year! Thanks for starting another great movement!
This one hits close to home, my parents have struggled throughout their lives with debt as well. I’m going to ask if i can share their story, but most likely not. But it really has shaped me, and I’ve learned from their mistakes (luckily). If I didn’t get a butt whoopin’ from Dave Ramsey’s financial teaching, I’d be in a much, much worse position. Thanks for starting this movement Jeff, and here’s to $10M in just 90 days!
Glad to see you are starting this movement! Can’t wait to see the end result!
Another great movement! Thanks for sharing your story, Jeff. I’m really looking forward to seeing the end of this lofty goal.
Really nice video Jeff. It is really helpful for all of us. However, What do you mean by this ” I feel like I was one of the lucky ones. My father passed away in debt.” Do you really feel so?
@ Shawn
What I meant by that was ” I was one of the lucky ones that figured out that debt can ruin you so I changed my financial habits”. Unfortunately, my father never did.
Hope that clears it up.
@Jeff
Yes, it is clear now.
Lesson learned: We should be more careful while putting, giving or talking about relations.
Wow, I had no idea. That story makes the Debt Movement feel so much more … real. Important. Powerful.
It is never too late to start tackling that debt. Robin and I didn’t get started until we were 55 years old and because we kept our jobs and health were able to become debt free at 61.. You always think you are doing the best for your kids by giving them what you did not have but we were wrong in our thinking. Everyone must learn to live within their means and how to say NO when you can not afford it.. The good news is your kids don’t always follow your example and our two grown children are living within their means and investing for the future.. Praise the Lord.
Jeff, what an amazing movement. Not only will you reach your 10 Million Dollar goal, I truly believe those participating in the movement will surpass it. As a fellow US Army Soldier, I want to thank you for your service to this great nation and applaud you for what you are doing now to serve others.
A truly nobel cause, as always, thanks for championing it! I wish everyone the best of luck in their fight against debt, lets double last years achievement!!