Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
Here’s my little Happy New Year gift to you. Each day in January, I’ll bring you a simple, concrete and easy to put in place tip to fuel your efforts to Save Money, Pay Off Debt, and Be Awesome this year. Looking for a quick plan? Well this might not to be the right place for you. Most things down well take time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to implement systems in your life that will help you achieve your goals. I’ve said it many, many times before. Paying off debt isn’t complex. It’s just not easy. You have to punch the clock daily and do the hard work. Here’s another way to make that happen.
Day 31: CAPTIVATE YOUR FAMILY
It might take a village to raise a child, but it certainly takes a family to pay off debt. If you’re struggling to complete your debt slaying journey due to family members who are not on board, you know this to be the case. But how do we do that? When our spouse or our children are adamantly opposed to paying off debt or simply apathetic, how can we show them why it’s important and motivate their hearts toward the same big goals?
Realize You Can’t Change Anyone.
Let’s be honest. The only heart that can be changed is your own. You cannot will, force, or shove anyone into your financial goals and dreams. When frustrated with someone in my life, my typical response is “God please change this person’s heart or change mine.” The harder you press someone against their will, the more resistance you will feel back in your face times ten. Focus on your own behavior and motives first.
Lead By Example.
Since you can’t change anyone, does that mean you should give up, throw in the towel, and charge it up? Of course not. Your strongest tool of persuasion is your own example. However, be careful how you wield this weapon. It will be much more effective if you’re the strong and silent type over the flaunt it in everyone’s face until they want to upchuck variety. Make difficult sacrifices. Be the first one to take a good long look at the numbers. Read excellent books. Quit using the credit card. Whatever it is, you can lead the way.
Begin With Love.
Families are awesome. Families are a gift. We chose our spouses. We adore our children. Money is never more important than your family. You also don’t have to love your family with money. Your voice and heart for financial health will be heard more clearly if you’re hitting a home run in other areas of your relationships. Nagging is not love. Haranguing is not love. Belittling is not love.
Make The Pursuit of Freedom The Ultimate Game.
Everyone loves to be on a winning team. If you can present the pursuit of kicking debt in the teeth as a game rather than a root canal, you’ll have more success. Even you will enjoy the process more when you set goals and achieve them, come in under budget, or make small sacrifices for long term success. Whether you keep an actual scoreboard, make debt your enemy or opposing team, plan small milestone #winning celebrations, or create an actual board game out of your financial mess, you will actually have fun and find yourself in the midst of an adventure rather than a worrisome, grueling process.
It takes time and effort to explain to your child for the 14th time why we’re not going to the bouncy fun center. It takes creativity to plan a date night without spending money. Your patience will be tested and your emotions stretched thin, but captivating your family’s heart is probably the most effective way to kick debt in the teeth.
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I’m so looking forward to sharing this month of challenge and inspiration with you. Together, we can show debt who’s boss and give it a swift kick in the teeth this January and throughout the year in 2016. Away we go!
Miss the previous posts? Check out:
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: BELIEVE
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: STOP IT
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: SELL, BABY, SELL
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in The Teeth: USE CASH
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: PLAN YOUR MEALS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT BUDGETING
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: READ A BOOK
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: QUIT RESTAURANTS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: DREAM ON!
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: SET LIMITS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR SPOUSE
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: MOVE IT
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: WORK IT
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: LEARN TO COUPON
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: VISUALIZE VICTORY
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: CHOOSE GREAT FRIENDS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: CLEAN YOUR ROOM
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: EMERGENCY FUNDS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: QUIT FUNDRAISERS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: STOP FREAKING OUT
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: DUMP THE PITY PARTY
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: NO MORE EXCUSES
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: SHOP AT ALDI
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: DON’T QUIT
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: PRAY
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: KEEP EXCELLENT RECORDS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: WORDS YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: STREAMLINE YOUR BILLS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: QUIT USING PAPER GOODS
- 31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth: OPERATE FROM A MINDSET OF WEALTH
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
