Category: Debt Free Me

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: October Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


At the end of this month, I was able to pay off another one of my credit cards. Slowly and consistently throughout this year my debt has reduced at a faster rate than the last time I was getting out of debt, and even faster than when I began blogging about Debt Free Me in 2015. Why is there such a difference this year versus previous years and attempts? Honestly, I can attribute it to two factors: My wife’s willingness to let me focus on paying my debt and removing distractions from paying my debt. The extra $350 a month that I’m committing toward my debt vs using it toward our budget is a key factor. Also, I’ve cut back on letting my time and energy be pulled in different directions. I’ve said no to situations, and don’t focus on income opportunities. No is a complete sentence. Am I sacrificing opportunities by not building my asset class? Yes, and I’m completely content saying no. This year has been a year of restoration for me. I’m thankful to my wife for her love and support, finally achieving the salary I’ve wanted, and the consistency of continuing to pay down my debt.

If you notice the amount above is the amount that is being paid toward the principal and doesn’t include the accrued interest. If you’re going to work toward being debt free, then pay more than just the minimum payment or the accrued interest. If you’ve practiced the self-lending principle, you can see how much interest compounding daily can be for your benefit on an income side, but also how much it takes away from the expense side. A good personal goal as you’re paying down debt is to set aside income. Saving money will create a margin and give you the ability to handle unforeseen events. I recommend saving three months’ worth of income as a long-term goal, and one month’s worth of income as a short-term goal. Saving can be challenging at times, so find someone you trust to help you stay committed to achieving this step. If you’re using a credit card, then continue to pay it off monthly. Personally, I have one credit card that I use and pay off monthly. Why? Because debit cards can become compromised, and if a debit card gets compromised then your banking account is compromised. Yes, you could carry cash, but if you have the discipline, use a credit card and pay it off monthly. Find a credit card that offers some form of reward incentive either points or cash back. Personally, I like a cash back rewards, and my wife prefers to use points, so she can use it toward discounted store purchases. Next month is Thanksgiving and I have a lot to be thankful for.

If you want to learn more about how I’m increasing my income while reducing debt, or if you want to have someone to discuss your debt reduction strategy with, or if you need a financial check-up, contact me.

Also, learn more about how I use the self-lending principle through Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.

This month’s video is THE CURE TO LAZINESS (This could change your life) from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

“The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Deuteronomy‬ 28:12‬ NLT‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

http://bible.com/116/deu.28.12.nlt‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I believe in your journey to….

A Debt Free Me

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: September Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


I turned 38 this year…Looking back I never expected to be so far behind in my life as compared to others. A lot of the people I went to high school with are married with children, and some are very successful in their careers. I look at my parents and remember where they were at my age, and honestly it discourages me. Comparison can do more harm than good. Even when comparing yourself against others who are attempting to achieve common goals like being debt free. All you can do is stay on your path and stick to your strategy. Everyone’s life, circumstances, and finances are different. That’s why it’s important to have a budget, or some form of knowing how much is coming in, and how much is going out. What is your bottom line number?

I’m focusing through the end of the year on paying down my other credit card debt. I’m continuing to pay just the about the minimum payment to at least reduce my principal balance on the debt above. Remember to look at your credit card statements to not just see your interest rate but also, to see how long it would take you to pay off your balance if you pay just the minimum payment. Also, your interest rate could change if the Federal Reserve raises interest rates. Don’t compare yourself with others and continue step by step toward being debt free.

If you want to learn more about how I’m increasing my income while reducing debt, or if you want to have someone to discuss your debt reduction strategy with, or if you need a financial check-up, contact me.

Also, learn more about how I use the self-lending principle through Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.

This month’s video is Dana White – From $0 To $7 Billion | One Of Most Compelling Speeches! from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

“The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Deuteronomy‬ 28:12‬ NLT‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

http://bible.com/116/deu.28.12.nlt‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I believe in your journey to….

A Debt Free Me

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: August Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


Near the end of August, I was surprised to have my previous annual review completed. It’s something that I had been hoping, praying, and struggling over throughout the year. Normally it’s completed at the end of the year, so not having a review concerned me. Even though I knew I was working as hard as I could, I felt frustrated and unimportant. I had talked about my frustrations with my wife, therapist, a close co-worker, and the Lord, but I was at my wits end. I knew I contributed greatly and was valuable in my workplace, but the lack of communication, had taken me to a place where I even considered alternate options. Surprisingly, I was called in for my review and sat down for the first time with my boss for my review. In previous years, I would complete my evaluation, and it would be submitted for approval. This year, he apologized for the delay, and asked for my thoughts on my career path. It was honestly a relief to have communication, but the greatest blessing didn’t come until the end of the month. He handed me a card showing what my new salary would be. Even now I’m so thankful to God, I had been trying to reach this number since I first entered the work force after leaving college fifteen years ago. This salary amount will allow me to pay down my debt faster, and at the same time set aside money for the future. I immediately adjusted my budget to set my current monthly income as my new estimated income and have made plans to adjust my actual income, so I can set aside a portion of this income for savings and investing.

Pray, plan, and build the future you want. I can’t say that it will happen overnight, and most of the time it will require a lot of work and sacrifice, but if you have the right attitude and work ethic you will achieve the goal you set. I’m proof that if you’re in the right environment it can happen. It’s important to keep the faith. If you receive an increase in pay, make sure you have a plan for your money. A plan can be a budget, or even a discussion with someone you trust about how to handle the change in income. Don’t waste your new income. If you’re trying to get out of debt, then stay on your path, and don’t get into more debt. I’m planning on using my debt reduction plan toward other debts I have, but I’m continuing to chip away at the credit card debt above.

If you want to learn more about how I’m increasing my income while reducing debt, or if you want to have someone to discuss your debt reduction strategy with, or if you need a financial check-up, contact me.

Also, learn more about how I use the self-lending principle through Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.

This month’s video is WATCH THIS EVERY DAY| You Are More Than A Conqueror Motivational Video from the Lion of Judah YouTube channel.

“The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Deuteronomy‬ 28:12‬ NLT‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

http://bible.com/116/deu.28.12.nlt‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I believe in your journey to….

A Debt Free Me

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: July Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk

At the end of July, I’m so thankful to be able to figure what was causing my stress and the sudden onset of depression. It was a work-related situation that had caused the stress. Stress can be very detrimental to not just your physical health but your mental and emotional health too. If you’re facing any signs of those types of internal struggle, have the courage to reach out to someone. One of the greatest reliefs you can experience is to open up to someone and have them say, “You too?! I thought I was the only one.” On your journey to being debt free, always remind yourself that you are not alone. Even if you put yourself into debt, friends, family, faith, and encouragement can help you climb out. The most important step is the first step, and the commitment to each step after the first.

This month I focused on the other debt I wanted to pay down, and so the principal balance only decreased slightly. The Amount Paid doesn’t consider what I also must pay in interest. It’s important to read your credit card statements and look for two things. 1) your interest rate you are paying 2) the disclosure which shows how long it will take you to pay off the balance if you pay just the minimum payment. This minimum payment also assumes that you don’t make any additional charges on the card. Thankfully, the one card that I do use consistently I pay off its balance every month. If you must use a credit card, then have one you are committed to paying off monthly. If you can’t do that then you should stick to using a cash system or debit card only. However, this situation also depends on knowing your budget how much is coming in and how much is going and how much is left over. Take the time to take inventory of exactly how much you owe and discuss your plan with someone.

If you want to learn more about how I’m increasing my income while reducing debt, or if you want to have someone to discuss your debt reduction strategy with, or if you need a financial check-up, contact me.

Also, learn more about how I use the self-lending principle through Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.

This month’s video is BEAT THE ALARM – Motivational Video [WARNING!!! – This Will Get You Out Of Bed Early] from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

“The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Deuteronomy‬ 28:12‬ NLT‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

http://bible.com/116/deu.28.12.nlt‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I believe in your journey to….

A Debt Free Me


Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: June Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


At the end of June, I faced something I hadn’t faced in a long time. My wife and I traveled to Delaware to visit her grandfather, and the trip was meant to be relaxing for me, but instead I felt heavy, and tired. Unfortunately, there were moments in our trip that didn’t make it a vacation, but marriage is for better and for worse. Even if the worse is yourself. In the end, I was glad to be spend time with her and her grandfather, and I was glad to be able to get away from home and work. This month I focused more toward the Capital One card. After discussion with my wife, I’ve decided to focus on paying off one of my other debts. When you’re seeking to be debt free, make sure that you surround yourself with people that can give you sound and good advice.

If you want to learn more about how I’m increasing my income while reducing debt, or if you want to have someone to discuss your debt reduction strategy with, or if you need a financial check-up, contact me.

Also, learn more about how I use the self-lending principle through Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.

This month’s video is UNBROKEN – Motivational Video 2018 from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: May Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk

Thankfully at the end of May, I was able to pay off a card as I had planned. Next month my wife and I will be travelling to Delaware to visit her grandfather. I’m looking forward to getting some time away from work and being able to travel. It’s important to take some time to rest in your journey to be debt free. Paying off debit is not just physically exhausting, it’s also mentally and emotionally exhausting. Remember to take some time to rest and restore energy back to yourself. Next month, I plan to make a shift, and being to target the Capital One card, and my goal is to pay this card off by the end of the year.

If you want to learn more about how I’m increasing my income while reducing debt, or if you want to have someone to discuss your debt reduction strategy with, or if you need a financial check-up, contact me.

Also, learn more about how I use the self-lending principle through Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.

This month’s video is The Craziest Talk EVER | David Goggins – MOST Motivational Speech from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

“The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Deuteronomy‬ 28:12‬ NLT‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

http://bible.com/116/deu.28.12.nlt‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I believe in your journey to….

A Debt Free Me

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: April Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


Ending April, I’m thankful to say I’ve made a significant step toward paying off another credit card. By the middle of May, the card I’m targeting should be paid off. I’m very thankful. With each card, or loan I’m paying off I’m taking the loan payment I was paying and rolling it into the amount I’m paying toward debt. It is a snowball effect. There are at least three different ways to pay down debt. The core principles of debt reduction are targeting a balance, targeting an interest rate, and using extra income to target a balance. My wife has taught me a very important extra principle in my journey to be debt free. The extra principle is to set aside a portion to save. I’ve focused on paying down debt and building assets, but it’s important to set aside a reserve. To be honest, getting out of debt is exhausting, and so is saving. But if through your spending whether responsible or irresponsible, you’ve ended up in this position, then I think it’s your responsibility to fight to get to your original place. A place of debt free. It’s exhausting if you’re alone, but I want you to know that you’re not alone. A key component of your journey to being debt free is believing and knowing that you are not alone.

Even if you don’t have a significant other, you have an inner voice that says you can do it, keep going, and press on. Listen to the voice that gives you hope and strength. And if the voice doesn’t say those things, then know I believe you can be debt free. Plan your work and work your plan. You may have to work harder than most, but the seed you plant if it is a good seed will reap a good plant.

If you want to learn more about how I’m increasing my income while reducing debt, or if you want to have someone to discuss your debt reduction strategy with, or if you need a financial check-up, contact me.

Also, learn more about how I use the self-lending principle through Mustard Seed in the mustard seed section.

This month’s video is WHEN LIFE HITS YOU AND YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP | MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO from the Lion of Judah YouTube channel.

“The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.”
‭‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Deuteronomy‬
‭28:12‬
‭NLT‬‬
‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

http://bible.com/116/deu.28.12.nlt‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I believe in your journey to….

A Debt Free Me