purpose of this book is to help you zero down your debt so that you can live a fulfilling and exciting life. That’s hard to do when you’re constantly working to pay off debt. We want to help you reclaim your power, to put you back in control of your life, and to provide you with options you didn’t even know existed.
Sound too good to be true? That’s OK. At this point, all we’re asking you to do is read the book and apply the system. The rest will take care of itself.
If you do the work, the results will come.
Action Items
When we think in terms of the big picture, things often feel overwhelming. Getting out of debt can seem the same way. But when we break things down into small, actionable items, large ideas suddenly become manageable. Big goals are always accomplished through a series of small actions, and that is exactly what we are going to do here.
At the beginning of each chapter, we’ll provide an overview of what you should learn. Once you’ve read through the chapter, you’ll notice a list of “Action Items” to accomplish. These are simple, small, actionable tasks that you can use to seize control of your finances – one small step at a time. We’ll explain exactly what’s required, but it’s up to you to take it from there and put it into practice.
Just as reading a magazine about weight lifting won’t whip you into shape, reading this book without taking action won’t get you out of debt. Use the action items like you would a workout routine. Complete the workout, and you’ll see the results. Do nothing, and you’ll be left making excuses as to why it doesn’t work.
The 10 Fundamental Truths of Destroying Debt and Building Real Wealth
Let’s start things off with a bang! Throughout this book, we’ll be referring to 10 important principles we believe are the foundations to destroying debt and building real wealth. We think these principles can fundamentally alter the way you think about – and use – the money you earn. In short, if you want to get out of debt and build real wealth, it’s absolutely necessary to understand the following 10 keys beliefs.
Truth #1:
Debt is the single biggest obstacle standing between you and the life of your dreams.
When you’re in debt, it’s hard to save for a vacation, your children’s college education, or other financial goals you might have. By and large, debt stands in the way of the things you really want in life, sucking your paycheck into its depths one dollar at a time.
Truth #2:
Your paycheck is your most powerful wealth building tool.
We spend our whole lives hoping to hit the lottery or wishing we could just get a bigger raise at work. But if you learn to harness the power of the money you already earn, you might be surprised by how far you can stretch it. Plenty of people have grown rich with modest incomes and careful planning; you can be one of them.
Truth #3:
Debt is the enemy of income.
Remember how debt sucks away your income one dollar at a time? When you have tons of debts to pay and bills to take care of every month, your income never seems like enough. But when you’re debt-free, your income belongs to you, not your debt.
Truth #4:
He who has the gold makes the rules.
Borrowing money gives away your power to others. When you owe money to someone, you’re beholden to them and must keep working in service of that debt – not your own goals.
Truth #5:
When you tell your money what to do, it listens.When you don’t, it disappears.
When you don’t track your spending or live within a budget, any extra money you earn has a way of disappearing – and quickly. But when you tell your money what to do each month, it works magic for your finances.
Truth #6:
A zero-sum budget is the most effective tool for harnessing the power of your paycheck.
Because a zero-sum budget empowers every dollar you earn to pay down debt, start saving, and get ahead with your finances, we believe it’s the most effective tool for getting your money straight. And if you aren’t zeroing down your debt, you’re not doing the best you can.
Truth #7:
Debt neither discriminates nor is cured by income. Rather, it is caused and controlled by spending.
Plenty of rich people are deeply in debt, while many with modest incomes live rich, debt-free lives. That’s because debt does not discriminate based on how much you earn. Anyone at any level can dig their way into debt, and anyone willing to rein in their spending can dig their way out.
Truth #8:
Living below your means is the most efficient way to unleash your paycheck’s potential.
Living below your means is the best and only way to destroy debt and start saving for the future. Spending every dollar you make means you’re standing still at best, unable to make progress toward your goals. Spending more than you make is a recipe for financial disaster.
Truth #9:
If you can’t pay cash, you can’t afford it.
We’re brought up to believe that we can, and should, borrow money to buy anything we want. From new furniture to a new wardrobe, using debt to “buy now and pay later” is commonplace. But, our penchant for debt has proved disastrous for our finances. To avoid a life of debt and ongoing bills, it’s essential to buy only what you can pay for with cash.
Truth #10:
Your spending decisions have consequences and are a reflection of what you value.
It’s easy to think that none of your decisions matter too much. Your monthly cable bill, the daily stop at your favorite coffee shop, and the new car you bring home every few years are no big deal, right? Wrong. Here’s the truth: Nearly everything you do with your money matters. Big and small, the decisions you make – and the decisions you don’t make – will eventually make or break your finances. It’s just a matter of time.
“Every small action matters. Complete each individual task and you WILL see results.”
What to Expect
There’s nothing too complex about what we’re suggesting here. The steps are simple and easy to understand. But make no mistake, putting them into practice (and sticking with it) can be incredibly hard. In fact, it could be the hardest “easy” thing you’ll ever do.
Some of the steps you’ll take may be emotional for you. They may test your patience and resolve. They’ll push you to make changes in your life, changes that may feel uncomfortable at first.
It’s OK. These feelings are natural. You’re human.
But, don’t quit. Keep going. Just keep chipping away, one small step at a time. These are the changes that will make a difference in your financial and personal life. This is where it happens. This is where you take control.
Hundreds
