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How to Plan a Virtual Baby Shower

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<p>The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things for people. Mainly, it has changed the ways many of us interact with one another. Now, more than ever, there are virtual events taking place and people are “Zooming” in to join parties. If you’re expecting a new addition to your family like we are, you may be wondering how to go about planning a virtual baby shower.</p>::Pexels

The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things for people. Mainly, it has changed the ways many of us interact with one another. Now, more than ever, there are virtual events taking place and people are “Zooming” in to join parties. If you’re expecting a new addition to your family like we are, you may be wondering how to go about planning a virtual baby shower.

Virtual vs. In-Person

There are plenty of pros and cons to having a virtual baby shower versus an in-person get-together. When you are considering which will be best for you, you should weigh each of the points below and think about what you’ll be comfortable with.

Pros and Cons of a Virtual Baby Shower

The main pros where hosting a virtual shower is concerned are reducing your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Although more and more people are getting vaccinated, it is hard to tell what is/is not safe. Additionally, if you have a number of family and friends out of town, it makes it easier for them to feel involved.

Cons of hosting virtually are more personal in nature, typically. You won’t get to take photos for your memory book or play any humorous games in person. It may also impact the types of gifts you receive. Many people tend to spend more when they are attending a shower in person.

In-Person Baby Shower Benefits and Disadvantages

There are not many cons to hosting an in-person baby shower other than potential exposure to the virus. You may also be concerned about the cost of hosting a shower. However, this is generally taken care of by a third party throwing the event for you. If you are more of an introvert, an in-person event may also cause you some anxiety.

The benefits of hosting an in-person shower are plentiful. You will get to see some of your close family and friends and celebrate the arrival of your new baby. It gives you a chance to play fun games with one another and truly enjoy the day. You may also find you receive more items from your registry (and more fun non-registry items) when you host something in person as well.

How to Plan a Virtual Baby Shower

When it comes to planning a virtual baby shower, you need to be creative. Virtual showers didn’t really exist until about a year ago, so ideas for games, activities, and what to do need to be thought up. Here are a few things to help you get started.

  1. Start an online registry. We started our registry on Amazon, which makes it easy for people to search, find what we are in need of/asking for, and send directly to our home. For folks out of town, this has been great! Target, Walmart, and other retailers also have online registries. Do some searching to figure out which one you like the most.
  2. Start a diaper fund. You can do this on Amazon’s registry fairly easily. If you aren’t registered on Amazon, consider creating a fund for diapers where people can contribute. In the first year alone, new parents will spend more than $1,000 on diapers. So, this is a valuable gift for people to give.
  3. Figure out who WILL be present. Even though you are hosting virtually, have a couple of friends or family over while you host the virtual event. This makes it less awkward when you are putting activities together, opening gifts, and easier for you to take those frequent bathroom breaks.
  4. Create a virtual invite. You can either do this via email or a Facebook event page. Have a way for people to virtually RSVP and a system for keeping track. Of course, there is less stress on the RSVP than if you were providing food and drink for everyone.
  5. Search for virtual games to play. This website has quite a few good baby shower game ideas that you can play virtually. One of the popular ones is “Guessing Baby,” which entails guessing the exact delivery date, weight, measurements, etc.
  6. Have a virtual message board. Allow your virtual guests to leave well wishes for the family and new arrival. Be sure you use a message board that you can readily gain access to. Some will even allow you to download the messages (which you may want to keep for your baby book).

What I’ve Decided to Do

While a virtual baby shower does have a lot of options, I’ve personally decided to hold one in person. We have a lot of local family and friends that will be excited to celebrate (and so are we). Of course, for our out-of-town folks, we will still be extending the invite and online registry so that they can be involved in the celebration if they can’t make it in person as well. It will be a day to remember with family and friends!

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How Much Does It Cost To Have a Baby?

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<p>There are a lot of expenses that should be considered when you have a little one on the way. Prenatal care, the cost of delivery, and then the cost of taking care of your child should all be factored into your budget. So, how much does it cost to have a baby and how can you prepare?</p>::Pexels

There are a lot of expenses that should be considered when you have a little one on the way. Prenatal care, the cost of delivery, and then the cost of taking care of your child should all be factored into your budget. So, how much does it cost to have a baby and how can you prepare?

Cost of Prenatal Care

Prenatal care is the first set of expenses you will face when having a baby. The costs associated with prenatal care can vary wildly based on your medical history, special needs, and choices you make throughout the prenatal phase. For instance, if you decide to have genetic testing done, it can increase the overall cost of your prenatal care. Similarly, if you are tested for gestational diabetes and need insulin to maintain your blood sugar, that will impact the cost as well. If you have a difficult pregnancy and require more care than others, this will also increase expenses associated with prenatal care.

Prenatal visits cost between $100 and $150 each and there are around 14 visits throughout your pregnancy. The average total cost lands around $2,000. Without insurance, you can expect to spend between $95 and $200 per visit. However, some appointments where lab work is performed can cost as much as $800. Most insurance companies will pay between 80% and 95% of these costs. So, if you have insurance, you may pay about $15 out of pocket for each visit.

The insurance I have only cover 60% of these visits though. At the end of it, I will be paying $1,060 out-of-pocket for my own prenatal care, possibly more depending on how the pregnancy progresses. If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry! Your doctor will likely have a payment plan available for prenatal care costs. I am paying $278 per month for insurance and $260 a month out-of-pocket directly to the doctor’s office.

Delivery Costs

One of the bigger expenses, of course, is the delivery of your new child. This is not included in your prenatal care costs. For patients without insurance, the cost of a natural vaginal delivery can range from $9,000 to $17,000, depending on your location. If you need to have a C-section or there are complications with your delivery, this can increase the cost to somewhere between $14,000 and $25,000. Other services that may add money to your total will be the induction of labor with drugs and whether or not you have a private room for aftercare.

Individuals with insurance may still have to pay at least a four-figure balance after delivery. The out-of-pocket costs can range from $1,500 to $3,000, but they can very well reach your out-of-pocket maximum for the year. For my insurance plan, the maximum out-of-pocket cost for the year is $6,000. I may very well reach that, depending on the cost of delivery and any unforeseen costs throughout the process.

These delivery costs only cover the cost of caring for the mother though. Your baby will also receive a separate bill. This bill will range from $1,500 to $4,000 for a healthy baby delivered at term. If your baby is premature or has any health complications at birth, this bill can increase significantly.

Cost of the First Year of Life

Beyond delivery and prenatal costs, you will need to think about the other “unseen” expenses of having a new baby. The average middle-income family in the United States can expect to spend about $12,000 on their child during the first year of life. By age two, this increases by about $500 annually.

In the beginning, you can expect to spend about $50 per week on diapers alone. Throughout the first year, this can rack up to an astounding $3,000. So, if you are invited to someone’s baby shower, they really do appreciate receiving those diapers. Oh, and new moms, if you find you have too many of one size, you can take them back. Huggies and Pampers will be accepted at any major retailer to exchange for a different size. If you receive store-specific diapers, you will need to return them there.

On top of the cost of diapers during the first year, new parents typically wind up spending $6,000 on other baby items such as the crib, strollers, car seats, and other big-ticket items to get ready for the new baby. Talk to experienced parents and get an idea of what you really need. You may be focusing on things that aren’t going to get all that much use, to begin with.

How Much Does It Cost To Have a Baby?

All of the costs above considered, to have a baby and get them through their first year of life, you could very well end up spending $50,000. Depending on your insurance plan, the help you receive from friends and family, and other financial factors, this could be dramatically less. There are also a number of resources you can use to decrease the overall cost of prenatal care and delivery. For instance, using a midwife instead of a gynecologist for delivery could save you about 30% of the overall cost.

Additionally, you can look for secondhand clothing, take hand-me-downs from friends and family, and do some bargain hunting when it comes to providing for your child. There are a lot of coupon programs and freebies you can receive that will help you deal with the cost of a new baby.

Readers, how much did it cost you to have a baby? What were the biggest expenses?

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How to Keep Up With Your Resolutions

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<p>A lot of people spent time reflecting on last year and setting fantastic goals for 2023. While we didn’t set any hardcore New Year’s resolutions this year, many people still did. The biggest triumph of all though is being able to stick to your plans and reach those goals throughout the year. Below are a few tips on how to keep up with your resolutions (even when you lose steam).</p>::Pexels

A lot of people spent time reflecting on last year and setting fantastic goals for 2023. While we didn’t set any hardcore New Year’s resolutions this year, many people still did. The biggest triumph of all though is being able to stick to your plans and reach those goals throughout the year. Below are a few tips on how to keep up with your resolutions (even when you lose steam).

Setting Reasonable Goals

First and foremost, it is key to set reasonable goals for yourself. If your aspirations are too lofty, you may wind up running out of enthusiasm early on. Instead, focus on more obtainable, smaller goals that will help you reach the longer-term aspirations that you may have.

When setting personal goals, it is important to have a “big picture” in mind. For instance, if you are setting a debt payoff goal for the year, think about all of your financial goals, not just your debt freedom. If you want to invest, save money, and buy a home, be sure to include those things in your planning too. Be sure you are setting reasonable goals for yourself within the grand scheme of things.

Another thing many people suggest is setting SMART Goals for yourself. We discussed SMART Goals on the blog a while back, you can read more about them here. SMART Goals can help you hone in on the specifics of what you’d like to accomplish, when, and how.

Tips to Keep Up With Your Resolutions

If you find you have trouble trying to keep up with your resolutions, you’re not alone. A lot of people abandon those dreams by the end of January (seriously). However, there are a few tips you can consider to help better set you up for success.

  1. Keep your goals specific. As mentioned above, the more specific you are in your goal-setting, the more likely you will be to reach them.
  2. Make exact plans as to how you will accomplish it. You won’t reach your goals if you don’t have a plan of action.
  3. Plan for how you will cope and learn triggers. Much of the time, resolutions are about resolving bad behaviors. You should learn your triggers (i.e. spending triggers) and figure out how to cope without giving up focus.
  4. Replace bad habits with good ones. If you are an over-spender, become an over-saver.

Last but not least, pick a change you actually want to make. Many people spend time trying to reach goals they don’t truly desire. For example, people strive to live healthier lives and at the beginning of each year commit to exercising every day. That isn’t something most people want to do. Instead, you can find ways to live a healthier lifestyle (i.e. make time for outdoor activities and eat better).

No matter what, it is important not to lose faith in your goals and aspirations. Everything takes time, especially when it comes to lifelong goals. Be patient with yourself.

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Do People Still Cut Credit Cards?

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<p>I remember growing up and seeing my mom cut a credit card over the trash. That was it – no more credit cards. It seemed to be something I saw regularly in personal finance advice forums and tips sections. “Cut up your credit cards.” But do people still cut credit cards these days?</p>::Pexels

I remember growing up and seeing my mom cut a credit card over the trash. That was it – no more credit cards. It seemed to be something I saw regularly in personal finance advice forums and tips sections. “Cut up your credit cards.” But do people still cut credit cards these days?

An Old-Fashioned Idea

Cutting your cards is a fairly old-fashioned idea. As I said, I saw my mom do it about 20 years ago. In fact, they used to cut your card in the store if it was declined at one time (what a concept, eh?). Physically cutting up the credit cards is more symbolic than anything though.

When my mom chopped hers into little pieces over the kitchen trash can, she undoubtedly still held debt on that card. Cutting it up was to get rid of the temptation to use the line of credit. Cutting it up got rid of the ability to dig herself (and the family) further into debt.

Thinking back, I wonder what personal finance guru told mom to do this (or maybe it was my Paw-paw). Either way, it was one of the key things I remember about money in my home growing up. I may get around to eventually sharing some of the others, but this one came up more recently on Reddit.

Do People Still Cut Credit Cards?

So, do people still really cut their cards? Of course, you should cut it up before you throw away an expired or canceled card, but what about an open account?

When I was scrolling on Reddit, I found people are actually still doing this. It came as a surprise to me (just like it does when someone uses cash envelopes still), but I kind of liked it. This is grassroots personal finance to me. It is relatable and, more importantly, it works for some people.

Credit cards for me, personally, were never a huge thing to triumph. The majority of our debt is medical debt, student loans, and car notes. Credit cards never came into the picture much. I hold about a $500 balance on one card. So, whether or not I should cut credit cards never entered my mind, but it could be beneficial for some individuals.

Should You Cut Your Cards?

If you do not trust yourself not to swipe the card, by all means, cut it. However, you should not cancel or close credit accounts if you can help it. That can damage your credit and keep you from doing things like buying a home or starting a business.

In short, if you think cutting your cards will make it easier for you to control your spending and wrangle your debt, do it. There is nothing to ever be lost from seeking debt freedom.

Readers, have you cut credit cards?

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Amazing tips for the new price action traders

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This article is about the perception of different price action trading. It also includes various trading strategies and the way of reading the charts. It can assist in reading commodities, futures, and chart movements and creating personal process and its action. Some strategies are depended on the technical analysis and individual opinions. It is such a type of trading that incorporates both fundamental and technical analysis. It is needed to make the right decision at the right time. [Read more…]

The Steps of Getting Success in the Forex Market

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People improving their performance cam make them triumphant traders. To improve their performance, investors are required to do hard work and follow some strategies. The millionaire traders have not got to their current position by depending on luck. They have gained adequate knowledge about the market and have always tried to separate psychological complexities from crucial trading decisions. There are some guidelines for managing the buying and selling process to do well in the Forex market. Let’s dive into the details. [Read more…]

What Are The Biggest Things People Struggle With Paying Off Debt?

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<p>Upon entering the debt-free (or rather the debt freedom-seeking) community, I realized there are a lot more people who struggle with paying off debt than you may realize. There are thousands of personal finance influencers online and Instagram profiles documenting financial success. Seeing all of this success made me start thinking, do people really have a hard time paying the debt off, or are we each struggling to find the right path for our own family?</p>::Pexels

Upon entering the debt-free (or rather the debt freedom-seeking) community, I realized there are a lot more people who struggle with paying off debt than you may realize. There are thousands of personal finance influencers online and Instagram profiles documenting financial success. Seeing all of this success made me start thinking, do people really have a hard time paying the debt off, or are we each struggling to find the right path for our own family?

Do You Really Struggle With Paying Off Debt?

First and foremost, there is no doubt paying off debt is a struggle. There are so many things that stand in your way of being debt-free in this consumer-driven society. However, if you are paying off your credit card in full each month, but still holding on to auto loan debt, your focus may be misinformed. What most people are struggling with isn’t making the payments themselves but lacking a plan.

So, the thing to ask yourself is do you struggle with paying off debt or do you struggle with one of the following?

  • Organization and/or planning: You struggle with putting together an attack plan for truly changing your finances.
  • Resolve: You struggle with setting your mind to the idea of being debt-free. You have to set yourself up for success by making up your mind.
  • Impulse: You struggle with controlling impulses that impact your finances (i.e. shopping, addiction).

It seems that oftentimes before people face their debt they need to face the above issues. Really, people don’t struggle to pay off their debt. They struggle with rehabilitating the behavior that got them there in the first place.

Things to Do

So, that is really where you start if you want to get off on the right foot on your debt freedom journey. You take a look at your actions, bad habits, and a sincere look at your finances. Consider some of the following tips to help you get started.

  • Redefine your relationship with finance. Make sure you know what your goals are and remember money isn’t everything. Talk to your friends and family about your financial situation and what you are doing to improve.
  • Get help. There are debt counseling services available. If you struggle with impulse-control or shopping addiction, therapy is also something to consider to rehabilitate your relationship with money.
  • Continue doing things that make you happy. If there is one thing I have learned throughout my own journey it’s that if you are not happy day to day you will not meet your goals. You need to budget some money for fun things and things you enjoy to stay on track.

When it comes down to it, there are families with a single income paying off six-figure amounts of debt on Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, and just about any other social site out there. How? They have made the decision to really do it. They made a plan, resolved to stick to it and work through any issues along the way.

So, readers, do you really struggle with paying off debt, or are you struggling with something else?

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The Quest for Cheaper Housing

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<p>As I’ve been talking about for a few weeks, we are looking at moving… again. If you have been following the blog for a while, you know we started our financial journey while living in a motel (that is just a step above being homeless). We got moved into our apartment after that, then shortly after got the offer to move down to Atlanta. Since being in Atlanta, we’ve moved twice, and now we are just ready to move away from Georgia altogether. So, we started looking for cheaper housing to start saving more but questioned if it was the right decision.</p>::Pexels

As I’ve been talking about for a few weeks, we are looking at moving… again. If you have been following the blog for a while, you know we started our financial journey while living in a motel (that is just a step above being homeless). We got moved into our apartment after that, then shortly after got the offer to move down to Atlanta. Since being in Atlanta, we’ve moved twice, and now we are just ready to move away from Georgia altogether. So, we started looking for cheaper housing to start saving more but questioned if it was the right decision.

Cheaper Housing vs. Quality of Living

The first thing you really need to decide is how much of your quality of living you’re willing to give up for cheaper housing. Cheaper is almost always going to mean giving up something. You may find it means shared laundry space, small living quarters, or heavily used appliances.

Consider how much money you would be able to save and how that would help the progress of your financial goals. Would that be worth giving up your quality of living for a short period of time? As a family, we’ve done this. We have been in a studio apartment for going on two years now and it wasn’t worth the discomfort we saved moving here. It has sent us running away from apartment living altogether. Giving up space was not the right decision on our part.

Which brings me to my next point, what are your limits when it comes to pursuing cheaper housing? Is it space, is it amenities, is it location? For us, being able to stay the next place we land for a while is important. We want to have a yard for our dog, extra room for expanding our family, and a home office. This way, we can stay put until we are either debt-free or ready to buy a home.

Should You Relocate to Save Money?

Another thing people often think of doing to help them financially is relocating. Especially now, when many people are working from home, relocating may be a good option. For instance, if you are self-employed, you may consider moving to a state with a lower income tax or if you are starting a family you may want to move somewhere with good schools and low property tax.

You may also find some rural areas have cheaper rent prices and even cheaper real estate. Those moves seem enticing when you look at the large savings, but you should also consider how it will impact your day-to-day life. How far will you have to drive to the store? Will you have to pay more for an internet connection?

Bottom-line

There is more to making decisions about your life than how much money you’ll save making that move. You should consider your entire life, happiness, and long-term goals when you are making any big decision in your life, even if it is something as small as seeking cheaper housing.

When it comes down to it, making decisions about your everyday life should take more thought and consideration. For us, our next step will be to find reasonably priced housing that our family can grow into and stay in for a while. Somewhere we can reach debt freedom and start saving for our first home. To me, this will be the perfect find over saving (insert amount here) each month.

Readers, what things do you place more importance on when making decisions in your life? Have you ever made a similar choice about housing? 

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Barbara Friedberg Shares Her Secret to Wealth

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<p>Barbara Friedberg and I had a chance to sit down and have a chat recently. Usually, when I talk to people about their finances they are sharing some inspiring and amazing debt freedom stories. What is most inspiring about what Barbara had to say is that she never really had any debt, to begin with. For her, the idea of accruing debt never occurred to her. (Why couldn’t I have had that mindset, right?</p>::Pexels

Barbara Friedberg and I had a chance to sit down and have a chat recently. Usually, when I talk to people about their finances they are sharing some inspiring and amazing debt freedom stories. What is most inspiring about what Barbara had to say is that she never really had any debt, to begin with. For her, the idea of accruing debt never occurred to her. (Why couldn’t I have had that mindset, right?)

Here’s a look at the highlights of our discussion and the full video below.

What is the ‘Secret’ to Wealth?

According to Barbara, the secret to wealth has been hustling. There has never been a time she and her husband didn’t have multiple jobs or hustles at once, she said during our interview. Here are a few more of the highlights of the discussion…

  • Investing is a huge part of Barbara’s key financial plan. She emphasizes that everyone should invest in some fashion.
  • Emergency funds are another must, but it should be whatever amount makes you feel comfortable (i.e. three months, six months, or a year+ of expenses).
  • Be flexible with your finances, especially right now. Be ready to make changes and look for new ways to make money.

Have a listen to the full chat below.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed getting to talk to Barbara. Her mindset and ideas about money are something to be looked to for motivation. No matter where you are financially, you can hustle and make your goals happen and succeed.

As far as the secret to wealth or success in your finances, I think Barbara was right in many ways. You have to be willing to be a little uncomfortable to truly improve your situation. No good change comes from being comfortable. Paying off debt is uncomfortable. Living frugally to meet savings goals can be difficult. Hustling to get by or meet your investing goals can be nerve-wracking.

In the end, though, it is all worth it. Your financial freedom will be your reward. For every uncomfortable moment during your journey right now, infinite comfort awaits once you are free from financial worry.

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How Brian Paid Off $30,000 in Student Loan Debt His First Year Out of College

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<p>Any time someone chooses to seek debt freedom and succeeds in it is amazing to me. Dave Ramsey’s “debt-free scream” is always a heart-warming celebration to see online and speaking to people who have paid off debt always inspires me. Brian Meiggs’ story is yet another inspiration. He took the time to participate in a quick Q&A to share how he paid off $30,000 in student loan debt.</p>::Pexels

Any time someone chooses to seek debt freedom and succeeds in it is amazing to me. Dave Ramsey’s “debt-free scream” is always a heart-warming celebration to see online and speaking to people who have paid off debt always inspires me. Brian Meiggs’ story is yet another inspiration. He took the time to participate in a quick Q&A to share how he paid off $30,000 in student loan debt.

How He Paid Off $30,000 in Student Loan Debt

When it comes down to it, Brian was able to pay off his student loan debt by pure determination. When he graduated, that was his sole focus. He did not want that debt to have a hold over him for 10+ years, as it does with so many other graduates. Here is how Brian Meiggs got started on his journey and led him to debt freedom.

<p>A: My name is Brian Meiggs and I’m an entrepreneur who spends most of my time building finance-niched websites from the ground up and making them profitable. Some of my recent projects include My Millennial Guide, Saving Junkie, and SavingExpert.</p>::PexelsQ: Tell me a little about yourself. What inspired you to seek financial freedom?

A: My name is Brian Meiggs and I’m an entrepreneur who spends most of my time building finance-niched websites from the ground up and making them profitable. Some of my recent projects include My Millennial Guide, Saving Junkie, and SavingExpert.

I’ve always been a hustler. In college, I bought used iPhones and flipped them for a profit. I had a few corporate finance jobs after college, but I found myself bored and without a purpose. I knew I didn’t want to work a 9-5 until I retired so I looked for a way out. I started a blog and eventually, it took off, and now I do it full-time. I enjoy every moment of it and the freedom it brings.

Q:  How much debt have you paid off?

A: I graduated from college with around $30,000 in student loan debt. Being a 23-year-old, that is a lot of money. I spent so much time building a rock-solid budget and maximizing my income in order to tackle this debt. I paid off all of my student loans within one year of graduating college. It was so liberating.

Q: How long had it taken to get to where you are financially?

A: It definitely took me a while to start making my desired income. I thought back and reflected, “man, I’m really doing it!” What helped me reach my income goals was looking at other bloggers who were making anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 per month. I figured if they could do it, why can’t I?

It wasn’t until my 3rd year of blogging that I felt comfortable with quitting my day job. I was working as a Credit Risk Manager making around $85,000 per year. Once the income from my blog was making me more money per month than my job, I felt comfortable quitting.

I have a funny quitting story, but that’s for another time. Now, I’m making more than six figures per year with all my websites. I simply enjoy the financial independence and not the money itself.

Q: What was the key to your success?

A: My success came from looking at other bloggers who were successful and trying to make my website better. I’m at a tipping point where if I really want to grow, I’m going to have to hire a full-team to help with management. I really enjoy running everything myself but if I want to continue to grow, this needs to happen.

Q: What is the most important part of your finances?

A: The most important part of my finances is continuing to maintain the lifestyle I am currently living. I’m not opposed to splurging on things that I want or saving every penny. I recently purchased my dream exotic car (BMW i8) and I have no regrets about it.

Q: How do you stay debt-free now?

A:  Staying debt-free is done successfully by spending less, finding additional sources of revenue and scaling that up, and having a budget that I actually follow.

Q: What is something you wish you could tell your younger self about money?

A: Money is passive. It comes and goes and while it can make you temporarily happy, creating memories and experiences whether solo or with friends and family, that’s more valuable.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: “The root of joy is gratefulness”  – Brother David Stiendl-Rast

Q: Is there anything you would like to leave readers with?

A:  I just wanted to thank you for reading my story and learning a bit about me. I would say the best way to invest is in yourself. Never stop learning or teaching yourself new skills. Every day you should be better than the day before. What do you want in life? Go out and get it. Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th. 

Closing Thoughts

Looking at the success in Brian’s story and how he paid off $30,000 in student loan debt, I thought to myself, “Man, I wish I had done that!” Could you imagine starting out your adult life with absolutely no debt? Hopefully, sharing his story inspires other young people to consider doing the same or taking similar approaches to pay off debt and focus on financial freedom.

Readers, what do you think about Brian’s story? How would paying your student debt off immediately impacted your finances? Was it ever a possibility? 

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