A Debt Free Manifesto – 10 Common Sense Reasons To Live Debt Free
This is a guest post by Brad at Enemy of Debt.
Do You Like Pie As Much As I Like Pie?
Over at Enemy of Debt, I am constantly going on and on about how debt freedom is this and debt freedom is that, but I thought it was about time I created an official manifesto to reveal the true source of my passion.
As soon as we paid off our very first debt we felt a sense of what becoming debt free was going to be like. It was just a small bite, but isn’t it true—even if you have just a small piece of any pie, you know exactly how the rest of the pie will taste?
When we paid off each debt, each bite that was taken reminded us of the next. You get to a point where you crave the next bite, so you do all you can to get to the table again. Just knowing that it will be heavenly, your mouth starts to water and before long—you have eaten the whole pie! Mmm, mmm, mmm! So delicious there’s no need for another.
Becoming debt free is like eating the pie of all pies.
Now go have some pie, and when you’re debt free—have some ice cream too!!
THE DEBT FREE MANIFESTO
- You can spend more quality time with your family, instead of on the job trying to pay off things you enjoyed yesterday.
- Your marriage is less likely to be marred by the destructive nature of stress and money fights, directly related to spending more than you make, month after month.
- Through your wonderful example, your ability to teach your children a more responsible and sustainable way to manage money.
- It frees up your paychecks to do other more important things like: saving, building wealth, and my personal favorite—GIVING!
- It’s never cool when someone else owns the fruit of your labor before you even labor.
- You can enjoy the additional freedom of not having to worship at the altar of the “supposedly” all powerful FICO.
- It feels WAY BETTER to sleep in a paid for home, walk on paid for grass, drive a paid for car, and eat already paid for food.
- Being debt free gives you more options in life, and opens up doors that society has told you couldn’t be opened. (Psst…don’t listen to them)
- The act of becoming debt free neutralizes your natural attraction and desire to “need” more STUFF, or at least provides some restraint—until you actually have the money to buy something.
- A survey done by Forbes magazine states, 75% of the Forbes 400 (the richest 400 people in America) said the best way to build wealth is to become and stay debt-free.
Since becoming debt free (except for the house—FOR NOW!), my family and I have already experienced why becoming debt free was one of the smartest things we have ever done. You should find out for yourself!
What are you waiting for? ACT NOW, and taste debt freedom for yourself! 
Brad Chaffee is the author of Enemy of Debt, and a regular contributor at the Self Reliance Exchange. Brad has become debt free by paying off $26,076.75 in just 20 months!! Learn more about Brad and his mission to rid the world of debt, one post at a time, by subscribing here.
Photo by Kirti Poddar
Brad,
Thanks for al the motivation you are always giving us.
I’ve been thinking of writing a manifesto for quit a while. Your’s embodies everything that I’m been thinking about. I think I’ll just read yours everyday instaes
Jeff
Excellent summary of all the great things that come with becoming debt free! Our family became debt free last year after paying off nearly $55,000 over three and a half years. It is certainly worth the sacrifice.
As someone focused on helping other achieve awesome marriages, I also have to say your point #2 is extremely important. Debt adds undue stress to a relationship.
Dustin | EngagedMarriage.com´s last blog ..Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps: A Real Path to Family Financial Freedom
Those are 10 great reasons we should all work to become debt free. I’ve just taken on a car loan and hating it and hope to get it paid off ASAP.
Ken Kurosawa´s last blog ..8 ways to Boost Your Motivation | Motivation Series Part 3
Number 9 really resonates with me. It’s amazing on our journey to debt freedom we found something unexpected. Contentment. Well done Brad!
Paul @ Fiscalgeek´s last blog ..The A-Team talks about the Roth 401k vs. Traditional 401k’s
Jeff @deliverawaydebt – No problem man, I am glad you like it!! I was excited about sharing it with all of you.
Dustin – Something told me you would appreciate #2, it’s very important. Glad you enjoyed it!
Ken – Sorry to hear about your car situation Ken, but at least you realize why it’s better to own a car free and clear. Pay that sucker off fast man. Good luck!
Paul – I hear ya Paul! Loud and clear! I used to consume video games and electronic devices as if I were running a large electronics and game store. LOL Cannot believe all of the money we have saved since we changed our thinking when it comes to money.
Jeff @superchargedlife – Thank you so much Jeff for allowing me to share this with your readers!
Brad (enemyofdebt)´s last blog ..Are You Under The Influence Of Debt?
[...] This post was derived from an original guest post written by Brad on My Super-Charged Life titled: A Debt Free Manifesto – 10 Common Sense Reasons To Live Debt Free. [...]
You have summed it up nicely. My wife and I were determined to become debt free before the birth of our daughter 3 years ago. We created a budget, lived on less than we made, and attacked our debt with a vengeance. We paid off about $30,000 in just a couple of years. By the time my daughter was born, we were debt free except for the house. The reduction in stress alone would have been worth it, but throw in all the other things you listed, and it’s a no brainer.
Eric´s last blog ..The Open Mind Test – Part 1: An Open Minded 2nd Grader
Eric – That is a wonderful story you have! As you said—it really is simply common sense, nothing more. Spend less than you make is not new to personal finance. Thanks for sharing!
Brad (enemyofdebt)´s last blog ..Enjoy Frugal Entertainment Without Breaking The Bank
[...] A Debt Free Manifesto – 10 Common Sense Reasons To Live Debt Free – posted over at My Super-Charged Life. Thanks Jeff! [...]
[...] My Super-Charged Life I read A Debt Free Manifesto – 10 Common Sense Reasons To Live Debt Free. Just when I think I’ve heard every spin on why one should avoid debt, another post comes [...]
[...] A Debt Free Manifesto – 10 Common Sense Reasons To Live Debt Free was my guest post at My Super-Charged Life. [...]
Bravo – this should be required reading before anyone agrees to borrow money. My favorite point… #2: “Your marriage is less likely to be marred by the destructive nature of stress and money fights, directly related to spending more than you make, month after month.” Money has long been the pink elephant in the bedroom in so many marriages and debt makes it Pepto-Bismol pink!
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