Category: Debt Free Me

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: December Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk

This year didn’t end the way I expected, but honestly, I’m not surprised with the results because of the choices I made. I sacrificed my eternal riches, because of my own selfish delusions and decisions. What is the point of being debt free if you have no one to share the victory with? Looking in the mirror, I know I need to make serious and genuine changes not just in my finances, but in my life. A friend of mine has said, “What’s in the darkness, always comes to light.” I need to change my heart, change my direction, and change my life. I’m going to need serious help to live my life as a whole person. I never realized how much my life was fractured until the end of this year.

Looking at 12/31/16, I had $23,785.14 in total debt both in installment loans and credit cards. I’ve progressed to $15,879.20 in total debt, and reduced my debt by $7,905.94 or 33.2%. Honestly, I had hoped to have it paid off by the end of 2018, but after much reflection, I realize that it was an unrealistic goal. I could possibly do it, but it would mean putting my family, body and mind through such an intense stress that I decided to re-evaluate this decision. You shouldn’t allow your debt free strategy destroy your family and yourself. Finally, I believe if you’re married your spouse needs to know everything completely. Not just finances, but your dreams, nightmares and who you truly are.

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: 10 Minutes To Start Your Day Positively |START YOUR DAY RIGHT | MORNING MOTIVATION | 2018 MOTIVATION from the Be Inspired – Daily Motivation YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: November Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk

I was thankful this month to be able to travel up to Delaware to meet my wife’s grandfather. Unfortunately, he couldn’t attend our wedding, but I enjoyed getting to meet him and see how everyone interacted with each other. I did end up using the Barclay’s Mastercard, and with Christmas approaching, I feel like I’m going to end up using the cards. If you don’t have money in savings, you may end up falling back into the cycle of charging things on credit. My advice is if you must do it then, make sure you can pay off what you charge. If you can’t then be willing to sacrifice a Christmas where you can’t buy gifts. The holidays should be about spending time together, and not about spending. If you’ve used the self-lending principle, then you’ve had the opportunity to build up your savings account at an accelerated rate.

It’s important to make small and measurable steps, and celebrate the small victories.

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: The 13 Truths – Matthew McConaughey [MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH] from the MULLIGAN BROTHERS – DAILY MOTIVATION YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: October Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


Make sure you don’t try to pay off your debt on your own. This month was rather frustrating for me, and I feel like my debt reduction is too slow. Always remember that being debt free can be a slow process. When you feel overwhelmed, stop, breathe deeply, and close your eyes. Do these three steps over and over again. With your eyes closed, imagine being debt free and feel it with all your heart, mind, and strength.

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: The Power of Habit – One of the most Motivational Talks Ever from the Video Advice YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: September Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


I’m thankful that this month is coming to an end. To be honest, I hit a place toward the end of the month, where I became genuinely depressed. You’ll run into these moments where you will want to give up. In those moments, I hope you understand that there are options. When it comes to debt, you do have options. You can either contact your creditors to negotiate your debt, or file bankruptcy.  Just remember that your life is precious, and your impact lasts beyond your lifetime. It requires knowing your financial situation and your budget.  Knowing your final bottom line number, will help determine if a debt repayment plan will help you or if bankruptcy is your best option. If you go down the road of bankruptcy, then I suggest having a plan for life after bankruptcy. It’s a clean slate whether you choose a chapter 7 or a chapter 13. In the end I suggest having a way to increase your personal savings and your disposable income. If you do, consider bankruptcy then I suggest doing your research and getting all the facts from a bankruptcy attorney.

Thankfully, because of my wife’s income, and my income, we’re both able to combine our income to accelerate our debt repayment plans and at the same time save income. Next year, I’ll start focusing on the lower balance of the Barclay’s card since it has the highest interest rate, but the smallest balance. My wife’s spare time business continues to do well, and as we slowly pay down our debt, we’re looking for ways to increase passive income. The one thing we can’t get back is time. If you can build a passive income generating asset, then do it today and let it work for you. As frustrated as I am, she reminded me that it took time to build up my level of debt and so it’s going to take time to pay it off too. No matter how frustrated you may become, stay the course and I believe in your journey.

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: YOU CAN ALSO BE GREAT” – Elon Musk Motivation – Motivational Video from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: August Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


This month was productive for my wife’s business. My wife’s associate sold a total of 27 memberships, and at the end of August he already had another 5 potential prospects for September. I sincerely believe that he will become one of the most successful Legalshield associates in our state. He’s truly one of the purest sales people I’ve ever met, and his intensity is amazing. It’s because of his efforts that my wife could generate passive income without having to do any sales for the month. At his rate of promotion though, she’ll have to create production herself to ensure that she continues to generate overrides. The secret about passive income is that it does require active work before passive income can be generated. Any business that tries to tell you differently is possibly a scam.  Thankfully with our three sources of income, and her business income, we’ve been able to live and pay down debt. Personally, I’ve decreased the rate of my own personal debt reduction to help with her debt and maintain a standard of living. To be honest at times, I feel overwhelmed. It’s in those moments that I pray and turn to some of my closest friends when I feel I can’t speak to her about my fears. But even when I do, she comforts me. When you’re married to the right woman for you, then she makes you feel like your life is truly complete not just physically but in all areas of life.

She’s continuing to do well at work, and it’s truly a blessing for her to be able to be earning an income in a field of work that she is passionate about and has studied in college for. There are some college students with degrees and student debt who don’t get to fully use their education. Even though we are focused on paying down debt, we are also looking for moments to be generous within our family, and in the world around us. The purpose of being blessed is not just have material possessions, but to also make a difference in the world around you. With the coming weather events, we’re looking to give our financial resources even if we’re not in a financial position to give as much as we want. Remember that you’re blessed to be a blessing. I’m thankful that I have a budget, and income generating assets that can give me the opportunity to help others. I’ll continue to focus on reducing debt with the goal of 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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: ONE OF THE BEST MOTIVATIONAL VIDEOS EVER – BREAK YOUR HABITS from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: July Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


This month, my wife started her job. To be able to work in a job that you love, and get paid for it, it’s one of the great blessings in this life. My wife had the opportunity to study and earn a degree in something that she’s passionate about. On the other hand, I have fumbled through life. I originally studied information systems in college, and switched to business administration, because at the time information systems was too challenging for me, and I wanted to graduate college in four years. After I got out of college, I went to work at the Disney Store, and worked many extra jobs just trying to make the ends meet. It wasn’t until I took a change order to a local bank that my life changed. Now I find myself working in the banking industry for over ten years. However, it wasn’t until my mentor, and friend that I consider a brother asked me to read Rich Dad Poor Dad, that I changed how I looked at my personal finances. It’s because of his friendship, that with the Lord’s help I grew to form my framework on how I view finances, and the importance of eternity and legacy.

She received her first paycheck this month, and it was such an exciting moment being able to use those funds to pay down debt. Every penny we apply toward the debt I know will lead us to having even more money in the long run. While we’re looking to reduce our debt and expenses, we’re continuing to increase our income. My wife’s associate in her business, has been doing a phenomenal job at growing his business. Because she is over him, she is receiving the overrides from his production. She can go about her day and receive a deposit without any effort. This example is true passive income. Passive income requires active work on the front end. I’ve made myself available to him 24-7 to continue to ensure his growth, and provide guidance as needed. The most important thing about this situation is that we were friends first before I brought him into this Legalshield business. If you’re not willing to form a relationship with those you work with, then don’t be surprised if you don’t have any results. My friend’s sales approach is outside of the system’s way of thinking however it’s working. I only want the best for him and want to see a day where he earns the six-figure ring. This next month begins 21 days of prayer, and in this time, I will seek the Lord with the hopes of hearing from Him. In your life, take a moment to stop, breathe, rest and reflect.

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: CHANGE YOUR HABITS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE – Amazing Compilation (So Inspiring!) from the Be Inspired – Daily Motivation YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: June Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


This month, I’m so thankful for what God is doing in our lives. My wife had her first job interview since graduating college and she got the job she wanted. She passed the NCLEX on the first try and had a successful interview to get her first job in many years on the first try. God has blessed our new family in so many small and dramatic ways that I can’t help but give Him thanks. This month, I personally decided to stay away from actively selling my Legalshield business and decided to personally focus on growing my wife’s Legalshield business through mentoring and motivating. I still lead conference calls, available I’m to answer questions, and I assist in sharing the product, however I no longer actively sell memberships. I choose to instead be a Legalshield member, and mentor. I’m still active in my other businesses and I’m excited about a new business venture that I’m starting with my friend Blake.

The balance on my Capital One card increased due to a balance transfer to help pay my wife’s debt and take care of necessary expenses. With the extra $500 per month, the additional income from my business ventures, and proper budget management, I’m going to begin to focus on paying on the Barclay’s cards because they have an interest rate of 23.24% vs. the Capital One’s interest rate of 23.15%. The best way to pay down debt is to focus on the debt you want to pay down and find ways to increase income while decreasing expenses. Also, if you can build passive income generating assets you can work toward building wealth. You must act and believe that there is an end you can reach.

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: STOP WASTING TIME – The Most Motivational Video Ever 2017 from the Video Advice YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: May Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


Thankfully this month, I paid off the Prosper loan, and now I’m focusing solely on the credit card balances. Remember that paying off your debts will give you a raise. Without debt, you will be able to experience your true take home pay (gross profit). Having a budget, will help you know how much your disposable income will be, and your disposable income is how you will build wealth. Mind your own personal investment portfolio. As you pay down debt, look for ways to increase income. I’ll plan on taking advantage of the loan balance transfer offers to reduce my personal line of credit to pay for emergency expenses and look for income producing opportunities. My wife is preparing to interview and will start working in the field that she loves starting next month. I believe you should do what you love and do it with excellence. If it’s possible to do what you love and generate income from it, then leverage the internet to reach as many people as possible. If it’s not possible to generate income from what you love, then let it be your motivator to do your profession with excellence. Our time is finite, but our impact can be eternal.

Over the next few months, my goal will be to reduce either credit card balance by $1000. By year end, my goal is to position myself to be able to make $1000 debt payments toward my debt via my job, and businesses. Some of the new habits I’ve adopted is listening to motivational videos, and relaxation videos through YouTube. However, for me, my core foundation remains the same, prayer, the Word, and worship. What’s your 1st response when things go right or wrong?

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: THROUGH HARD TIMES – Powerful Motivational Video 2017 | PART I from the Motversity YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: April Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


Honestly this month has been a month of miracles. I honestly believe because my wife and I honored God at the beginning of the year that He has put favor on our year so far. My wife did get approved for her personal line of credit, so she was able to consolidate down some of her debt. I could do a balance transfer, which is why you see my balances go up for the month of April. Fortunately, I could pay off the Wells Fargo term loan, and my goal is to pay off the Prosper loan by the end of May. If everything goes as intended, then I will have an additional $650 per month in income. This additional income I can use to focus on reducing my debt at a faster rate, meeting any living expense needs, saving to invest, or saving in case of emergency. When you’re creating an emergency savings, save at least one month’s worth of income no more than three months’ worth of income.

Paying off your debts will give you a raise. You’ll begin to be able to realize how blessed you are as you break off the bondage of debt. You also won’t know how much you are losing to compound interest until you really look at the numbers. We didn’t make any sales in our organization; however, I sincerely believe in my team. I believe that once they slowly build momentum, it will change their lives for the better both financially and emotionally. Ask yourself. Are you trading dollars for time? I’m continuing to look for ways to be generous not with my finances but with my time, energy, efforts, and connections. I encourage you to look at the win-win scenario and looking at life through the lens of eternity and legacy. A win-win scenario is helping a friend of mine who was looking to sell a car, and another friend who was desperately needing a car. They were able to strike an agreement that worked for the both of them. Finally, my wife passed her test and is now licensed. This journey was four long years of blood, sweat, and tears. Honestly it was a miracle that she passed. There is a powerful momentum building this 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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: THE TRUE GRIND – 30 Minute Motivational Speech Compilation from the Motivation Archive YouTube channel.

Posted in Debt Free Me

Month End: March Snapshot

Posted on by jamesmachawk


This month I began creating and implementing a system in my new role. I’m enjoying this role, because it’s taking the existing skills that I have, improving on those skills, and learning new skills all for fulfilling the vision of my workplace in 2017. This new role is also enjoyable because I must be creative. I honestly don’t know if I could be able to handle this pace of life if it wasn’t for the help of the Lord and my darling wife. I’m very thankful that when I come home at night, I have a meal ready to eat. I’m going to work early and leaving late at night. I remember a time when it was a struggle for me to get to work on time, whereas now I really have no choice due to where I live and the commute I must take to get to work. It’s a longer commute time, which some would think of as uncomfortable, but I look at it as an opportunity to improve on a work habit. The extra time I have early in the morning allows me to prepare my mind mentally for the day, and staying late, allows me to finish what I need to finish or just relax my mind to close the day.

It’s important to take every storm as an opportunity to look for and seek the end of the storm. The truth is every storm has an end, and that there is a plan and a purpose in every storm. Next month, I’m going to use a balance transfer to assist in covering living expenses. My wife has decided to take her licensing test next month vs. this month, and I completely encouraged her to do it. I’d rather she be comfortable and pass the test the first time, rather than run the risk of failing it. We’re also pursuing in applying for a personal line of credit for her to assist in consolidating her debt. It’s important to get credit when you don’t need it, because if you try to get it when you do need it, then it may be too late. Use the lower interest rate payments to save money and payoff consumer debt faster. One of my associates in my organization sold one of his first combined policies, and I’m very excited at his level of enthusiasm, and look forward to helping him achieve his goals. My goal for the year is to become a better communicator and so far, I’ve been face with numerous opportunities to develop this skill.

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.

“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

Here’s this month’s video: Be Powerful –motivational speech video – T.D. Jakes from the Motiversity YouTube channel.