Getting out of debt is one of the greatest joys on the planet! Don’t believe me? Try it.
Those that have achieved debt freedom know it and those that want debt freedom need to be reminded of it.
Life is tough sometimes but it’s a lot nicer to be facing the many obstacles and unforeseen circumstances life throws at us without debt making it even tougher. Getting out of debt is a marathon not a sprint and it takes time to get there but it is so worth it.
If you have debt and are wanting to rid yourself of it forever you’ve come to the right place. Please enjoy this story (and the many others in this series) and see what it takes to get out of debt from real people that were once where you are today.
One thing I know to be true is that you can achieve debt freedom — if you want it that is! 
Go get it!
The Enemy of Debt Questionnaire – Congratulations to Deacon Hayes!
How much debt did you have and how long did it take you to pay it off?
We had $52,000 in debt outside of our mortgage. Once we developed a Financial Gameplan, it took us 18 months to pay it off.
How does becoming debt free actually feel? Does it feel better than you imagined it would?
It is such a liberating feeling to be debt-free!! We have more money than we ever have had before. We have been able to pay cash for trips internationally and we have been able to give more to worthy causes than we could in the past. It is such a blessing to be where we are today.
What were some of the struggles that you had to deal with along the way? Was there ever a time where you almost gave up?
It was hard, we had to cut a lot of our expenses and I even picked up a second job. It was tough but worth it.
What would you consider to be the most important key to becoming debt free? What helped you the most?
It helped that my wife was on the same passion and that we could have a common goal. We were a team and were determined to become debt-free. That was the most helpful, because without her help, it would not have happened so quickly.
It seems a lot of people have bought into the idea that debt is essential in order to prosper, what do you have to say to those people?
Debt is a product that is sold like anything else. you just have to choose to say “no” and pay cash instead. Therefore it is not essential, but a choice.
What was the biggest sacrifice you would say you made in order to become debt free? What about you changed the most?
We virtually gave up eating out and I love to going to restaurants. I realized though, that it was only for a short period of time. Once we became debt-free we had more flexibility to go out and enjoy life like never before.
Did your friends and family give you a hard time about your new mission to eliminate the debt from your life? If so how did you deal with it? Do you think you inspired others by your journey
Some people it seemed thought we were having really tough times financially because we were choosing not to do things. The reality is that we just had a priority to pay down our debt and that is why we couldn’t do as much. We did inspire a few others to become debt-free and it is humbling to be a part of their debt-free journey.
What is next for you? What financial goals do you plan to accomplish?
We plan to have our home paid off in the next 6 years and to travel abroad every other year (paying cash, of course). What a great way to live life: debt-free.
This story was submitted by Deacon Hayes from Well Kept Wallet. Deacon and his wife paid off $52,000 in debt and he says he has developed a passion to help others become debt-free and stay that way! Twitter: @deaconhayes
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Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader Series
Click here to read any of the other great debt free stories in this popular series!
More to come…but only if I get some new submissions!
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