Surviving Debt...

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As a part of survival training (day to day suburban survival) I have been trying to pay off all my debt. I have been following the Dave Ramsey plan for the last two or three years and finally have paid off all of the debt that we have (except the house - I can always sell that for what I owe on it).

I have been trying to figure out what we paid off - but we have been doing it so long, all of the figured I could come up with were very coarse.

Something like, 33,000 in two years. Most of that time was on a single income (mine) with two kids. We had some hiccups in the mean time (my wife had a surgery, Hurricane Ike blew our roof off, a sewer main broke in our back yard...) but we plodded along.

Anyway, I sent the final check to the Student Loan company (positive debt, but still needing to be paid off) to the tune of 5,000 dollars today - and kicked Sallie Mae's ass to the curb once and for all.

The next step is to amass about 4 months of income in case one of us looses our jobs.

Anyone else on a plan to pay off debt - or is anyone else debt free?

TF
 
Made it a point to live that way most of my life. Owe no one, be tied to no one. It gives you a great freedome. As a general rule, we live so beyond our means. I have a small business, and while not getting rich, we have no debt, and can survive some pretty serious hard times. No business is a guarantee, but dang people put themselves so far out there that a fractured leg that puts them out of work for 2 weeks just ruins them.

GOOD JOB
DOc
 
I've just started my crusade. My wife and I split up and she was the spender in the family so I have a good chance of paying off about 1/2 of my debt by the end of the year. I have always hated being in debt but it didn't seem to effect her at all.
 
I am a big fan of Dave Ramsey!!

Totally debt free, including the house, and only have 1 credit card that hasn't been used in about 4-5 months (it was always paid off even then), and will probably cancel it soon.

What scares me, is my nieces and nephews in their early 20's, young, married with small kids and don't think a thing about being 50,000-80,000 in debt.
 
still owe for house and car; bad hiccup, I was injured in July and still on crutches- but we are managing. We both think Dave is the MAN!
 
You know what thing I like the most about Dave Ramsey. He is a Christian. He believes that living debt free is biblical. Yet, he never hammers you over the head with it, you can choose to listen to his last CD where he talks about his testimony, he never mixes his beliefs and his show.

I do not believe as Dave does - I follow the Epicurean Philosophies far more than Christian - but I find his ways more influencing than 99% of the overt proselytizing that I see around me. He just lives his life and lives by example. I like that.

TF
 
Great job.

Much the same here, I owe less on the house than it is worth and have a lease deal on one of the cars, the other fully paid off. No other debts. Enough in the bank to cover one months payments and an insurance to pay the mortgage for a year if I get laid off.

I had planned to emmigrate and that was part of the reason to get debt free. Not going to happen at the moment but I like this way of living.
 
We have very little debt. This thanks to my wife who works hard and spends very little. She grew up with seven sisters and three brothers, they never had any money and she learned to save at every corner. ME? Not so much. I spend way more than I need to for knives and such. However I don't have many other bad habits, quit drinking and smoking and going out on the town. I drive old cars and do most everything that needs done myself.
 
Big dept for me due to school, but ill get rid of that once I get a real job. I plan on living dept free soon enough:)
 
I'm reading his first book now. We are dedicated to paying off our debt, which is less than the value of the house. Having to shut down my business in 2009 didn't help!
 
Anyway, I sent the final check to the Student Loan company (positive debt, but still needing to be paid off) to the tune of 5,000 dollars today - and kicked Sallie Mae's ass to the curb once and for all. TF

Congratulations, TF. Must be a great feeling.

Doc
 
Debt is the American way, however, we are working toward being debt free. Between the two of us we make enough now that credit cards are a convenience- one that we rarely use. Holiday travel is pretty much the only exception. We've made pretty substantial dents in our debt, but there is still a way to go. Pay one creditor off, then double up on the next, then the next... AmEx should be off the payroll soon, and CapOne won't be in my wallet (taking my money) much longer after that. I've got one son starting elementary school this coming fall and that will free up substantial funds for debt service.
 
Way cool TF:thumbup:

Sure wish I was in the same boat:o It's gotten rough enough that the bill collectors stopped trying to get more money out of me, now they're just prank calling:thumbdn::p (Though it is funny, it's also true!)

However, I do have a plan in the works, thanks to you, TF:cool: I've finally started tracking my 4 via "Your money or your life", which helps ton with keeping a good attitude about it, and shows me how close I am to getting back above water and then getting ahead again:thumbup:
 
I'm in wicked good debt from college.
I mean it's so much, that it got upgraded from good debt to awesome debt.

It's that good.
 
Real close to being debt free. Three years left on the house, cars paid for. I only use credit cards to buy supplies, when the bill comes it`s paid in full, never carry anything over, so no ridiculous interest.
 
Cool Walt - I am glad you are on the path bro.

It hasn't really sunk in yet - that I owe no man. But I am sure it will - then I will buy a bunch of stuff on my credit card to celebrate! ;)

TF
 
House paid off.

Still paying on one of the 3 vehicles.

What is interesting to me is how easy it is for young people to get in debt now.

When I was coming up even though I had a job and no payments I was refused a credit card.

Now I know kids with no job in college and huge credit card debt.
 
Debt Killer letter

CEO (WHATEVER) BANK
Full Address of their Head Office
Date:
Sent Recorded Post
NOTICE REGARDING ACCOUNT # (whatever the number is)
Dear Sir or Madam:
I would be happy to settle any financial obligation I might lawfully owe as soon as I have received the following documents from you.
1. Validation of the actual debt (the actual accounting).
2. Verification of your claim against me (a sworn affidavit or a hand signed invoice)
3. A copy of the contract signed by both parties and therefore binding both parties.
I hereby give you fourteen (14) days to reply to this notice with a notice sent using recorded post, and signed by the CEO under their full commercial liability and penalties of perjury, assuring and promising me that all of the replies and details given to the above requests are true and without deception, fraud or mischief.
Yours truly,
By: ____________________(agent)_Date: ____________


^ send via REGISTERED MAIL

info on this:

In the world of commerce get used to autographing and using (agent) in brackets after your autograph. This is because you are an agent for NAME in ALL CAPITALS, and the NAME is NOT you!
Now the banks cannot validate/prove the debt because they never sustained a loss and a debt never existed. They cannot verify any claim against you because you are not the NAME they are billing. They cannot produce a copy of the contract because one doesn’t exist; all that exists is an unenforceable unilateral contract, or what the banks refer to as ‘your contract with us’ and this is not a valid bilateral agreement, since the four requirements of a lawful, binding contract were not met on the credit card application. These are as follows:
1. Full disclosure (we are not told that we are creating the credit with our signature).
2. Equal consideration (they bring nothing to the table, hence they have nothing to lose).
3. Lawful terms and conditions (they are based upon fraud).
4. Signatures of the Parties/Meeting of the Minds (corporations cannot sign because they have no right, or mind, to contract as they are legal fictions).
Oh, and always be polite and loving. Remember that the vast majority are not aware of this and so resist becoming righteous. Help others by allowing them, not restricting or trying to control them. You will soon see how much easier that is when you realise the corrupt law makers haven't ever had any true power over you.
This also helps you stay in honour, which you will start to discover is a massive thing in Admiralty/Commercial redemption.
Credit cards are based upon fraud and are win/win for the banks and lose/lose for everyone else. It is one of the slickest cons on the planet!
And an interesting spiritual slant:
So don’t worry and stay calm; after a little bit of watching and reading you will have some of the bigger dots joined up and be able to see straight through the massive deception, and your power will come flooding back…the very equal power that the Creator had always intended us to have, and the power His Son assured for us if all we would do is open our eyes, believe and accept. The Bible talks of sin and commerce talks of debt. Debt and sin are both one of the same, and all natural born human beings had their debts/sins prepaid when the Son of the Creator died on the cross to take care of all past, present and future sins/debts.
And once you see through the deception you will also come to believe the concept, and once you believe and accept the concept and the symbolism of the crucifixion/for-give/prepay/bonds/insurance/debt/sin, you will soon see how symbolic the books in the Bible truly are! This is not about any specific religion, yet remember the Bible is the root of Law in the UK, USA, CANADA, NZ, AUSTRALIA and on and on, and the concepts of both Common Law and Admiralty/Merchant/Commercial Law, herald from the Bible.
For many, many years the UK, USA, CANADA and most other countries have been bankrupt, and operating in commerce using Law of Merchant Law/Admiralty Law. This is done by the use of insurance policies/bonds. Your NAME already has unlimited liability insurance in the shape of your Birth Certificate (Bond/insurance policy), and your National Insurance policy. You are the sole beneficiary of your NAME/Corporation’s Bond, yet you just didn’t know it. It can be reclaimed but first arm yourself with the knowledge, as a little information can be a dangerous thing!
Admiralty law is adversarial, which means the opposition doesn’t have to tell you what they are doing, yet it is unlawful to use fraud and mischief in contracts. Once you start to discover what has happened here, you will never see the world in the same way again!
Some incredible areas of research and information can be found below. Do not be put off if the researchers and presentations are based in the UNITED STATES (oh look, a corporation), CANADA (and another one), or anywhere else; the principles are almost identical everywhere where Common Law and Admiralty Law exist, and that means the UNITED KINGDOM (just another corporation).
Remember that the FEDERAL RESERVE BANK, BANK OF CANADA are privately owned corporations that are based on the model formed in 1694 by THE BANK OF ENGLAND (The Rothschild family - Red-Shield). Oh and guess what the INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND is? How about THE WORLD BANK?
You are free, you just don’t realise it yet!

I have done this with Citibank, TD Bank, and Vancity credit.

----------------------

more letters one can use:

Dealing with Bankers….

The following 5 letters have been successfully used by a great many people over the past few years to effectively deal with creditor difficulties.

Letter Number 1:

For use with just about any type of financial obligation issued by a licensed financial institution mortgage, credit card, bank loan etc. (Does not work
if the loan is from a “private” source.)


From: ____________________
Date: ____________________
To: ____________________
Re: ___(Credit Card, bank loan, mortgage,
etc.)
Account Number:___________

To Whom it may concern:

I would like to make arrangements to settle the above referenced matter.
Please provide me with your statement of the amount owing as of ___(pick date 2 weeks out for example)___, together with your assurance that you will accept payment in direct and immediate exchange for the original instrument of indebtedness in its original form.

Thank you very much.

___________________________
by: authorized party


Letter Number 2A:
For use with adjustments in most cases when
you receive the initial response from Letter 1 above,
where they confirm an amount owing and provide
some comment that the “statements” or some other
lame documentation they provide are evidence of the
obligation.



From: ____________________
Date: ____________________
To: ____________________
Re: ___(Credit Card, bank loan, mortgage,
etc.)
Account Number:___________

To Whom it may concern:

Thank you for your letter of __date______, wherein you confirm my outstanding balance as requested.
Also, you have confirmed that the
“statements that _____(name of institution here)____
sends are your evidence of your indebtedness to the
Bank”. (This is a quote from actual bank letter and
wording may vary slightly, but should where possible
be quoted from their letter.)

Accordingly, would you please confirm that the Agreement that exists between us which ratifies this specific application of these “statements” and confirms me as the party obligated to the Bank will be delivered to me as the original instrument of
indebtedness in its original form, in exchange for payment in full of my obligation as may be referenced by these “statements”.

Sincerely,

__________________________________________________
by: authorized party



Letter Number 2B:

For use with adjustments in other cases when
you receive the initial response from Letter 1 above,
where they confirm an amount owing and simply
ignore the second part of the request.



From: ____________________
Date: ____________________
To: ____________________
Re: ___(Credit Card, bank loan, mortgage,
etc.)
Account Number:__________

To Whom it may concern:

Thank you for your letter of ________, wherein you confirm my outstanding balance as
requested.
It is apparent that you have overlooked or ignored my request to confirm that you would accept full payment of the alleged obligation from me in consideration of your delivery to me of the original instrument of indebtedness in its original form.
Accordingly, unless I receive your written confirmation that you will accept payment from me in consideration of your delivery to me of the original
instrument of indebtedness in its original form on or before ____(pick a date like 15 days from sending the letter)____, I will conclude that you are either unable or unwilling to comply, and I will thereafter consider the matter between us to have been legally and
financially settled.

Sincerely,

________________________________________________
by: authorized party




Letter Number 3:

For use with adjustments in other cases when
you receive NO response from Letter #1 above.



From: ____________________
Date: ____________________
To: ____________________
Re: ___(Credit Card, bank loan, mortgage,
etc.)
Account Number:__________

To Whom it may concern:

I have sent you my request as of ___(date)___ for you to confirm the balance owing
on the above referenced matter and for you to confirm that you would accept full payment of the alleged obligation from me in consideration of your delivery to me of the original instrument of indebtedness in its original form.
It is apparent that you have overlooked or ignored my request. Accordingly, unless I receive your written confirmation that you will accept payment from me in consideration of your delivery to me of the original instrument of indebtedness in its original form on or before ____(pick a date like 15 days from sending the letter)____, I will conclude that you are either unable or unwilling to comply, and I will thereafter consider the matter between us to have been legally and financially settled.

Sincerely,

______________________________________________________
by: authorized party



NOTES:
1. The concepts outlined in these documents
will also work for most Court Orders to pay. Simply
change the wording such that you are requesting
confirmation that the court will accept payment in
consideration of their delivery to you of the Original
Order, as duly executed by ___(Judge name)___ and
in its original form (which is the original instrument
of indebtedness).
2. This process will not work with private
lenders because in most cases they can and will
produce the original instrument of indebtedness.
3. If you receive any communication from a
collection agency or lawyer representing the financial
institution, you should follow the concepts outlined
in the above letters but ONLY in direct
correspondence with the financial institution.
NEVER respond to a lawyer or collection agency
with anything other than the concept outlined in
Letter 4 that follows.

Letter Number 4:

For use with when terminating
communication from financial institution’s lawyer or
collection agent.


From: ____________________
Date: ____________________
To: ____________________
Re: ___(Credit Card, bank loan, mortgage,
etc.)
Account Number:___________

To Whom it may concern:

I confirm that I have received a written communication from you dated ___(date)___
wherein you make reference to the above captioned matter.
It is apparent that you are acting on the presumption that some relationship that you may
have with ___(name of bank)___ , is in some way related to me. I am not a party to this implied relationship you have with ___(name of bank)___, either directly, indirectly or by means of any tacit consent.
Accordingly, I do not understand how to respond to you inasmuch as I am unaware of any contractual relationship between us.
As a courtesy and because you may find it helpful, I have attached recent correspondence
between myself and ___(name of bank)___, wherein I have repeatedly offered to settle the mater between myself and ___(name of bank)___.


Sincerely,
___________________________
by: authorized party

c.c file



Letter Number 5:

Alternate for use with when terminating
communication from financial institution’s lawyer or
collection agent.


From: ____________________
Date: ____________________
To: ____________________
Re: ___(Credit Card, bank loan, mortgage,
etc.)
Account Number: __________

To Whom it may concern:

I confirm that I have received a written communication from you addressed to
_____________ and dated ____________ wherein you make reference to the above captioned matter.

It is apparent that either:
i) you are acting on the presumption that some relationship that you may have with
__(name of bank)__, is in some way related to me, which if such presumption is the case, I confirm that I am not a party to this implied relationship you have with __(name of bank)__, either directly, indirectly or by means of any tacit consent, and accordingly, I do
not understand how to respond to you inasmuch as I am unaware of any contractual relationship between us; or
ii) you have entered into a contractual relationship inclusive of evidence of consideration
paid to or agreed to be paid to __(name of bank)__, which contractual relationship has caused you to become the legal holder in due course of an alleged
obligation between ____________ and __(name of
bank)__.
If indeed you have entered into such a contractual relationship with __(name of bank)__, as set forth in clause ii) above, then I hereby confirm that I accept your offer to reduce the amount of the alleged obligation from $______ to $______; and I confirm that I would like to make arrangements for settlement of the above referenced matter immediately upon you providing me with your written and legally binding assurance that you will
accept payment in full settlement of this alleged obligation in direct and immediate exchange for the original instrument of indebtedness in its original
form that you must now be holding pursuant to the aforesaid contractual arrangement between you and __(name of bank)__.

Sincerely,

_____________________________________________
by: authorized party


NOTE: underlined portion in last paragraph
may be omitted if not applicable.
 
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