| Becoming debt free is one of the best things you | | | | bend over backwards wanting to lend you money. |
| can do to improve your life. Like most good | | | | Don't fall for their advertising that is usually some |
| things, achieving a debt free lifestyle isn't easy, | | | | variation of 'you deserve it.' The problem is that |
| but is well worth the effort. Becoming debt free | | | | the 'it' is really forking over your hard-earned cash |
| will bring greater peace to your life, will increase | | | | to line their pockets with money that should be |
| your prosperity and will grow your personal | | | | working for you in your investment portfolio. Put |
| freedom. | | | | the power of compound interest to work for you. |
| Living debt free will bring greater peace to your | | | | Start by getting rid of your debt, then focus on |
| life in many ways. Most domestic troubles can be | | | | building wealth by setting aside at least 10% of |
| traced back to stress over finances. Money is | | | | your income into pre-tax retirement accounts. By |
| consistently listed as the number one source of | | | | becoming debt free, all that money that you |
| complaint among troubled marriages. But don't | | | | would have been giving to the banks will stay in |
| blame money if you struggle in this area - the real | | | | your pocket and can grow exponentially through |
| culprit isn't money - the real problem is your | | | | the power of compound interest. |
| attitude about money. Getting to a debt free, | | | | For example, say you are paying out $500 a |
| controlled, budgeted lifestyle involves major | | | | month in interest to credit cards. Pay off the |
| attitude changes for most people. You can't spend | | | | credit cards and start investing that $500 a |
| more than you make. The credit cards have to | | | | month at 12.5% average annual interest. In just |
| go. Get free of your debt and the | | | | 20 years, you will have amassed over half a |
| bank-advertised attitudes that got you there and | | | | million dollars! Or, go ahead and keep carrying a |
| peace will move in where fear once resided. Your | | | | balance on those cards and keep paying an |
| spouse and your kids will notice and appreciate | | | | average of 17% annual interest to the banks and |
| the greater calm in your life and theirs. | | | | give them over a million dollars in the same 20 |
| Becoming debt free can also increase your | | | | year period! |
| prosperity exponentially. That's right. Why do you | | | | Who do you want to enjoy prosperity from your |
| think so many banks and other companies focus | | | | income - the banks or you? The choice is yours. |
| so much time and energy on getting you to use | | | | Become debt free so that it can be you that |
| their credit cards or to buy that new car | | | | enjoys prosperity - you deserve it. |
| (financing approval guaranteed) - because they're | | | | Finally, becoming debt free puts the 'free' in |
| nice and are looking out for your best interests? | | | | freedom - it allows you to focus on building your |
| Could complete strangers really be that giving? | | | | wealth rather than giving it away to money |
| Maybe - but don't count on it. The only interests | | | | lenders. Becoming wealthy and financially |
| the banks are looking out for is the interest | | | | independent will give you even greater freedom: |
| they're charging you - compound interest. Have | | | | freedom to live where you want, work where |
| you ever made a major 'on sale' purchase on a | | | | and how you want, and play whenever you want. |
| credit card, and then lollygagged around not | | | | So why not use the freedom of choice that you |
| paying it off for years? Drag it out long enough | | | | have right now and make a plan to free yourself |
| and you can easily wind up paying double the | | | | from debt? |
| original price! Banks know this. That's why they | | | | |