debt confession update | one year debt update | dave ramsey inspired | debt snowball method

[@kniehaus22]

Awesome Vada and Mr Simple! My husband and I started with $177k of debt (not including our house)🤯!! We started the Dave Ramsey snowball November 2022 and have paid 76k already and have 101k to go. We didn’t even realize our total until I totaled everything up to put in order for our snowball strategy. Started watching your channel several months ago and cash stuffing and feel like we are making such good progress!! Y’all are so inspiring, keep up the momentum, y’all will be debt free in no time!

[@EvesBookNook]

What kind of debt does this include if not mortgage? Is it like credit card, student loan, car loan? Just trying to figure out what I should include in my own calculations.

[@kniehaus22]

@@EvesBookNook I included everything aside from our mortgage. Such as medical, credit cards, auto loan, personal loan, our HVAC, and our tractor. We don’t have student loans but those would be included if they’re there. Basically anything that requires a payment plan, even those pesky cell phones that add extra money to the monthly bill until they’re paid off.

[@christi3411]

Currently at 35k in debt. 30k in student loans, which started at 70 and 5k in car loan which started at 25. I am determined to get this done in 2024. It will take serious effort but we are going to get it done, all of us!

[@marthap9698]

We started this journey 2 months ago. I already have the passion that you have. I love hearing it in your voice. I get excited to pay on a bill so I can mark the progress on my tracker. My husband is finally getting it. He came home the other day and said "I saved .35/gallon on gas." I am 57 so I wish I started sooner but glad to be starting now. I think we have about 2+ years ahead of us but we ARE going to get there! Thank you for your videos.

[@CynthiaIvers]

You've done a tremendous job at paying down your debt. You're really a "debt" inspiration. As you know, taking a 401K loan rarely is a financially smart decision as you miss out on the compounding nature of your investments, etc. Really impressed, though, with your overall debt strategy!

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you! the 401k loan was an old mistake…we would never have done it if we’d known about the snowball method!

[@ajcsjames7337]

Congrats on your journey! Doesn’t it feel great to have your car paid off free and clear?! I had bought a new car in 2020 and paid it off in 2021 (had Dave’s voice in my head because I felt he knew I wasn’t supposed to by new while in debt 🤣 so paid it aggressively) As of today it sits with less the 30k miles. The dealership sent an email and a letter to trade in my car for a new one and I just laughed. Completely not worth it to go back into debt with a car less than 30k in miles! We’re doing Dave-ish but with the Avalanche Method and putting our home in our Avalanche payoff. I know it’s not what everyone does but I can’t stand being in debt - so our debt + the house has to go! With this method we’ll start our 40s debt free 🥳 Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@raeonaturner4268]

I am currently working on paying off my debt. You and your family are such an inspiration on my journey. Thanks for your time to make the debt confession videos, such a great inspiration.

[@nicoleewing1318]

So inspiring. Seriously, you should be incredibly proud of what you've accomplished this year. We paid off our debt about 8 years ago and it was life changing. We think about money, expenses, and investments in a completely different light now. However, the biggest challenge after you pay off your debt, is to stay out of debt. It's so easy and tempting to say "we deserve the fancy vacation or new car with the payment because we're debt free now." Don't do it. Don't fall into that rabbit hole. This isn't a temporary thing, it's a lifestyle change. Once you sit down and have the conversation "what is important to us? what are our long term goals?" It becomes easier to stick with it long term. We now both have two credit cards each and they are only used for traveling and emergencies and they are paid off at the end of each month. I have complete faith in your ability to be debt free at the end of 2024, look how far you've come already! 🙂

[@ashleyterry6424]

After realizing we were paying 1300$ every month to debt payments, my husband and I decided we needed to get out butts in gear to get this paid off so we could afford to buy a house. Our rent is less than the amount we pay to debt and that was eye opening.

[@thesimplebudget]

that’ll do it!!! sometimes a good kick in the pants is all you need!

[@ninawhite1021]

YOUR RANT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED. THANKS FOR THAT. I WAS TRYING TO FIND A WAY. TO EXPLAIN TO MY ADULT CHILDREN, THAT I GO HARD ON THEM BECAUSE IVE LEARNED FORM MY OWN FAILURES.

[@triciafiorelli4412]

I can’t express to you and Mr Simple how much I needed this…you are such an inspiration..I too am the spendy one, especially for that small amount of happiness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@thesimplebudget]

i get you. i really do. and if this last year has taught me anything, it’s that the small amount of happiness that is so fleeting from a purchase is nothing compared to the peace of mind of financial freedom…and being able to dream bigger than you’d thought before 🖤

[@corrieshaffer4172]

Way to go you two! I am also on my debt free journey. Had some set backs but I’m not giving up! Thank you for sharing with us it is definitely great motivation!!!

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you 🖤🖤🖤 i know you’ll be able to achieve your goals this year- a setback is nothing compared to your determination!

[@curvyechronicles]

You all have down an amazing job this year! I love seeing how everyone’s adventure to debt free goes and it’s so encouraging to cheer for others while in the process of getting there myself!!

[@katiebrose8783]

Wow! I need to write that speech down and read it every day. I am relatively young, only 21, and my biggest goal in life is to be financially free, so that I can do what I want and not have to sacrifice my financial wellness for it. I want to retire early. I want to own a house. And I want to go on adventures all around the world. I am very thankful to have found the budgeting community so young. Finances are sometimes complicated and annoying and stressful to deal with so I don't think I would have been able to manage it using the sad excuse for a system I was using before. Now I feel so much better about my finances, and I feel like I have found a lot of success in using budgeting and debt methods. I believe it should be taught to everyone either in high school or something else because it is such a valuable skill to have and not something that is talked about enough.

[@kathysnyder3881]

You are amazing! SO inspiring! I have been watching since your very first video...subscribed that very day! I love your realness and honesty about everything. For your Q & A: I would love to hear your love story with Mr. Simple. I love how cute you are together. Thanks for being you!

[@christineoreilly8912]

PAUSE is a big word! You don’t have to stop forever, just until your debt is paid. ❤❤❤

[@argonaut636]

Thank you for sharing your journey with us! I have been very inspired by your videos and love the transparency and realism you bring to your channel. You inspired us to organize our finances and we finished paying our consumer debt this past December- working on not letting the good habits go to waste in 2024. Love the channel and looking forward to a new year!

[@jamescares9003]

keep it up, I've been following Dave for 25 plus years. Bought my house in 2021 and paid it off this April. It's wonderful having no payment and can save 70% of my income and only live off 30% of my income.

[@authenticallyallison]

Awesome job! You guys went ham and that is so great! I'm glad you're a team! I started my journey September 2022 and was making decent progress. I was in survival mode when I had emergency eye surgery in July and picked up on the debt focus again this recent September. I just paid off a debt and it felt so great!

[@SaraBudgetOrganized...ish...]

This is so amazing Vada! I'm really impressed with how far you have come in this year. It's really an amazing start of 2024! We're debt free (except for mortgage) as of December 2023. We used a mixed approach, it's called the tsunami approach where you tackle the one with the most emotional impact. In our case it then switched a bit between snowball and avalanche debts, total difference on interest payment in total was 500. So not the most mathematical logical thing to do, but we felt best doing it that way.

[@elliegalantis]

My husband (31) and I (30) are debt free since July 2020. Became debt free during shutdowns and with hours cut a few months before our first son was born in November 2020. We now have 2 precious boys 3 & 1 yrs old & are in BS4, but also saving a down payment to buy land/house. Keep at it you can do it and have made great progress! Dave’s baby steps work!

[@Mash37y]

Amazing video and update. I started my journey April 2023 with $21,000 in debt. I was able to use the snowball method and saving challenges to pay it off at the end of November ❤. You have a new subscriber & I cannot wait to follow your family in this journey to being debt free.

[@thesimplebudget]

that’s WONDERFUL!!!! thank you so much for sharing- what an inspiration!

[@DebtFreeDreamingFamily]

This is super inspiring. My husband and I just started budgeting like this because we are in very similar situations. I can’t wait to look back on our videos to see how much we can pay off in a year. Thank you!

[@thesimplebudget]

the year really will fly, i promise you. and when you’re watching your money like a hawk, you can get creative with it to help move the process along faster!

[@SueS4884]

You have to be so proud of your progress. Congratulations and good luck continuing in 2024!!

[@xMissTanisa]

36:15 - This part really hit home for me! I’m really trying my hardest to tackle my CC debt, and it’s so frustrating to think that I’ve racked up a little amount of debt simply because I couldn’t control my shopping addiction. Now, I’m trying my hardest to pay my CC debt off because the money I’m using for that could be funding my vacations for this year. 😮

[@thesimplebudget]

I FEEL YOU!!!!! when i look at the work we put in to pay this debt down vs. what we COULD have been funding, i get mad. live, learn, and NEVER repeat.

[@xMissTanisa]

@@thesimplebudget YASSS! That’s so true. I’m so annoyed because I’m having to bust my ass even harder just to do the things I want to do. I had taken the time to save and prioritize what matters the most, I wouldn’t have to be working a second job. But I do understand that pressure makes diamonds, so here I go. 😩

[@amandapanda7229]

Thank you for such an inspiring video, and congratulations on your amazing progress. I found cash stuffing and Dave Ramsey snowball method in October 2022 and it has completely changed my life. I am working towards being debt free - hoping last payment to my personal loan will be October this year and then I have lots of plans to travel (saving for each trip as I go and not using my credit card 😁) There just seemed to be a light bulb moment that happened. I was just sick of paying all my wages to the credit card companies each month. Thank you again and good luck with your journey in 2024😊😊

[@MonicaHester-cl4ny]

Vada…. You are such an inspiration. I am the spender and those cards are my friends. I know I need to stop and I have cut up them all! You and Mr Simple give me the fire to get busy with budgeting and paying off my debt. Not even sure where I stand on debt. Congrats on an amazing 2023 and a great start to 2024

[@jonnaborosky8836]

I have no debts outside of mortgage. I was able to make one extra payment through the year. It's at about $55,000. I haven't calculated how long it'll take to pay it off. I've made an extra payment each year since the beginning of it about 12 years ago, by paying biweekly. I love listening to and watching you. You're so down to earth and genuinely yourself that it's a delight to find your videos! Congratulations and best wishes for the coming year!

[@SPCHANGES]

I am in the same boat you were in last year ( my 2nd time around). I’m happy to hear that a mind can be changed.

[@amyrvlogs]

Congrats on the debt pay down!! 2023 was my first year truly facing all my debt and focusing on paying it down. I managed to pay off about a third of my debt and it feels AMAZING to have made so much progress despite still having a long way to go.

[@TheBlessedBudgets.]

Vada!!!! What a huge chunk of money to pay off!!! you’ll be debt free in no time!!!!!

[@robbiethornton-peek7485]

I am so glad you drank the cool aid & had the total mindset shift. That’s what happened to me. Great job. You will be debt free by the end of the year.

[@OrdinaryEverydays]

Amazing progress! I started my journey back in May of last year and it has had its ups and downs- paying off debt and keeping it off is a really challenging ambition in today’s world!! I admire the teamwork you have as a couple and am looking forward to your progress through this year.

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you so much ☺️ it really does require so much discipline- and this process has taught me so much about my own habits and “why’s” behind my behavior.

[@rosamondhazell2149]

Vida, congratulations 👏👏I’m so proud of you and your husband. What a journey, you have inspired me!!!

[@cmpprince]

I am at the spot you were a year ago. I am the one who puts us in debt for the most part and I'm ready to be done with that. This is the start of our journey to be debt free and I'm excited for the changes. Thank you so much for your frank honesty.

[@thesimplebudget]

i get you, trust me. and you can do it, i promise. it’s taken me a full year to change my mentality and it happened very slowly. just keep remembering the little changes make a big difference and i promise you’ll trudge through.

[@ambernelson6124]

Perfect timing. I need a little inspiration. I'm only about two months in to my debt journey and made some progress but I have a ton to pay off in 2024

[@meghanhonohanacra]

Congratulations!! We did Dave Ramsey and are starting our investment journey now. We are debt free including our home. 🏠 it was hard hard work but totally worth it. 😊 now I just use my credit cards once in awhile and pay off right away to keep them open. One bank closed my hubs card because he was not using it and it hit his credit report. Great job guys!!!😊

[@thesimplebudget]

i love love love this story! what an inspiration you are to all of us!!! 🖤🖤🖤

[@graciecarrasco560]

Starting at over 61000 not including our house. I love your inspiration! First person I’ve found on here with determination to get it done! Can’t wait to see our debt go down.

[@thesimplebudget]

you can absolutely do it!!!! if you stay focused, allowing yourself to dream of what’s on the other side keeps you going!

[@jenelleglatfelter1292]

You have accomplished so much this year. Congrats. It will feel so good when you are debt free.

[@VTgirlandherbeagles]

Currently about 27K in debt and working on it. It never occurred to me to reduce my 401K contribution until I get out from under this. Thank you for that! New subscriber :)

[@nancywehrung3943]

Congratulations! I’ve been watching your channel for almost all of it and have to say - that year flew by. Thanks for sharing!

[@xoxolorae]

Insane Veda! You guys killed 2023 with your debt payoffs! So inspiring

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you 🥰

[@terryhenderson424]

The two of you have worked hard this past year and you have some super results to show for it. I hope you feel very, very good about thus accomplishment.

[@thesimplebudget]

we really do- when i think about the sheer willpower behind accomplishing this, i’m extra proud 🥹

[@themomlifeco]

Congratulations ❤❤🎉🎉that balance is amazing for 2024

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you!!!!

[@lesliecigale]

❤ we are just starting the snowball little nervous but just ordered your debt off etsy ... we are hoping to get lots done this year....

[@thesimplebudget]

you can absolutely do this!!! just remember that little bits do add up to make a big difference!!

[@rellagreen]

I love to see it! This is wonderful! I found your channel in March of this year and I have enjoyed your journey in 2023. I cannot wait to see what 2024 brings for you.

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you so much for being a part of this 🖤🖤🖤

[@Alittlebitofeverything-ld6ns]

Haven’t watched the video yet but had to tell you that I saw a mug at hobby lobby that would have been perfect for your collection. It was so big and made my hands feel so small. It must have held close to 20 ounces. Almost had to buy it and send it to you lol.

[@williamwarren9448]

Preach it girl !!!!😂so happy you can and have learned sooo much ( yes lots of us have banned target from their radar) yes 1000 dollar emergency fund … yes paid off all debt … mortgage gone ( you can do this starting 2025 !!!!!! ) taught FPU x 2 … and you know we all make our way IF we are sick and tired of being RIPPED OFF …. ❤Glenda

[@aussiebudgetqueen]

Congratulations on paying down so much in 2023! I really enjoyed your video and can relate in a way that we’ve had huge changes to our budget and have halved our income during the last half of 2023 when I was medically retired from my government job. My spending really needed to curb so we didn’t fall into the credit card trap! It’s been a massive adjustment for us but we are getting there…on the bright side, the lifestyle change is lovely. I’m a new subscriber and I look forward to hearing more of your journey 🌸

[@thesimplebudget]

that’s wonderful that you saw the need for change and did it!!! thank you for subscribing 🖤

[@arielleplans]

I can't believe we have already known each other for a year!! V this is amazing progress!!! Love this for you and hubby and totally here for it! I literally bought a $10,000 car, and only had a car payment of $150. The idea of people paying anywhere close to $500-$1,000 a month for a car payment, is BEYOND me!! My goal is just to pay down CC debt and not worry about student loans for a while besides minimum to add to Roth IRA, because of the same kind of concept. However, the average interest on Roth IRA is higher than Student Loans. A 10% interest is insane! Like jealousy insane lol. Really shows you how much interest matters berceuse at my $23,000 at over 26%, my minimum was $500!!! Looking at paying off the rest of my credit card debt this year and then starting in on a Roth IRA over here! Love ya bunches girl!!!

[@lekeshahill2477]

That’s awesome the amount that has been paid off. I paid off $5,000 of debt last month and it feels so good.

[@saralongest7021]

Congratulations on your year!! That is amazing! I appreciate your channel so much! I’ve been watching KZbin cash stuffing videos for the past 6 months and was so excited to find yours. While I love all of the other channels, you and you journey are much like mine. My husband and I are in our 40’s and seeing you and your husband tackle this journey gives me hope that we can do it as well! Keep going!

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you, sara!!!! i’m so glad you enjoy my channel, it means so much 🖤

[@mrstrinimarine4life714]

You are doing awesome! I can’t wait to see the progress for this new year. 💖

[@amyhowell4000]

Wow!!!!!! That is a huge achievement. You are both an inspiration. Credit card here I come 😂❤ Happy New Year xxx

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you!!! you can do it 🖤

[@Sophie-jn6qq]

Wow Vada! Incredible work by you both as a partnership towards your debt goals. It’ll be amazing when you can keep all that extra money for yourselves and your future plans!

[@Sophie-jn6qq]

Also I really support your message at the end. Modern life pushes us into thinking that failing at something is the absolute worst thing that can happen. But you can’t learn important lessons without failing. No successful person is successful in every single decision, they just like to talk about the good bits!

[@JANAA56357]

Okay this i have to say that mug is really awesome 🤩🤣

[@mholland8835]

Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You and Mr. Simple are an inspiration and I’m glad I found your videos @ 9/10 months ago. Congratulations on your debt payment so far. Love your passion, it’s contagious. Preach it girl, love it ❤️😍 I started last year and made good traction but kinda fell off during Black Friday. So I’m dusting myself off and restarting full force and refocused. 🎉🎉

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you so much 🖤 i’m glad you’ve dusted yourself off!!! one bad day doesn’t negate the success of the work you’ve done. you can do it :)

[@jazmelysplace2341]

Yes, Target is crazy. I went for 2 things and ended up spending 400 whyyyyyyy. I had buyers remorse after that😢. I'm working on it, and I know God will help me❤ Thank you for your video!

[@louisedillon6797]

We have been married for 55 years. The debt we had when we were first married was our mortgage. It was a 25 year mortgage which we paid off in 12 years. We still live in this same house which is nice and has been maintained over the years. We of course are retired at this time but we both worked full time jobs and was never unemployed., except 4 years for me when I had kids. We had car loans over our earning years but never credit card debt. We paid off car loans ahead of time also. We used a credit card but we always paid it off in full each month. We never paid a drop of interest. Like you said both my husband and I were on the same page which made us successful.

[@thesimplebudget]

this is a wonderful story 🥰 i think you’ve shown the ways where debt can be minimal and acceptable when you’re both determined to eliminate it.

[@Millenialmanifestingmillions]

CONGRATULATIONS. I have been watching on another account since… end of Feb early March last year. Lost track partway through the fall but EEEE I AM SO SO EXCITED FOR YOU. I am down $25k since Jan 2022 and love see other people do this!!

[@moniquechelius7460]

This is such a great video. You have done such an amazing job on your debt. How you explain everything is great. You really don’t realize how much mindset really matters when it comes to every day things in life until you hit a part of your life where it just hits you. Mindset is such a game changer for sure. My debt isn’t nearly as much as a lot of people right now but boy does it feel good to pay off a debt. This year I realize it’s all about finances for me. Last year was my health and I got myself back to normal on my A1C from being one point away from being full blown diabetic. I’m so ready for this year with doing cash stuffing and doing better with finances. I really feel like I’m going to get somewhere this year . 😊

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you so much!!!! and good for you for getting control of your health! you’re so right that the mindset is everything- it’s taken me a full year to chip away at old functions and habits- but the payoff is tremendous.

[@moniquechelius7460]

@@thesimplebudget it takes time to change habits for sure. I agree the rewards in the end are amazing. 😊 Thank you 😊

[@LivingLifeInTexas1836]

Awesome job!!! That’s a great payoff for the year. I was able to pay off my student loans and my car in 2023!!! It’s a great feeling. 2024 is my year to pay off my credit cards, both are 0% at the time, then I will be debt free!!! I also did not follow DR exactly. I paid student loans first because they were 0% so it just made sense. Then I tackled my car because it was the biggest payment monthly, the $1000 payment is crazy… I would never buy a car if that was the case!!! Now my credit cards… we got this! 🙌🏼💜

[@thesimplebudget]

this is SO inspiring!!!! i think your plan was fantastic- taking advantage of that 0% was the best move. and kudos to you for following through!!!!

[@shelleyk7462]

I’ve just found your channel, subscribed. What you achieved last year in paying off your debt was remarkable, well done 👏.

[@thesimplebudget]

welcome!!!! and thank you so very much 🖤

[@morganwentworth2041]

It's awesome seeing how far you've come! I've been working to pay off my student loans but have been having issues because I've also been doing a lot of shopping. What finally kicked my butt was looking at the money that I'm putting towards my loans and going, "imagine what I could do if I didn't have my loans to pay off." My goal is to pay off 5k by end of March

[@thesimplebudget]

that’s a fantastic goal! often times, having that threshold helps you push harder!

[@tarajack7]

Such an amazing video! I love how open and honest you are with everything especially debt. Thank you so much for making these videos. You two are doing amazing! This is my goal for the coming year, is pay off our debt so we can start saving for the things we actually want, like a house! 🤗

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you so much for watching 🖤 i’m so excited for you to save up for a house!!!! our little home oasis is really what gives us the quality of life we’re searching for :)

[@SummerSunset2207]

Once you learn better you do better.. Pass it on❤ that’s what my my mom always said😊

[@thesimplebudget]

🖤🖤🖤

[@leighannestarks5787]

I don’t know you personally, but I am so proud of what you’ve done with your finances and your channel. You are reaching so many people!!!! As of August 2024 I will pay off a personal loan I have had for the last 3 years. I still have about $60,000 left in student loans I will tackle next. I am a teacher and I will get forgiveness for the balance after I have paid 40 more payments!!! 😁 Look forward to to watching the rest of your journey through your videos!! Happy New Year!!🥳

[@themomlifeco]

You’re so right my husband and I work as a team. It wouldn’t have work if we didn’t do it together. Our relationship is stronger

[@thesimplebudget]

it really helps to be on the same track- you can’t move forward with someone holding your progress back

[@emilrhodes2761]

Congratulations Vada! Your thoughts and explanations are so true. I so wish more people would follow what you’ve said. You’re doing great. You’ll be debt free well before 2025. Dave Ramsey has the best advice. You need to consciously change your mindset and pour every penny into your debt. It amazes me how long people want to prolong their debt just to “still live my life the way I want”. Pay it off as fast as humanly possible. Who wants to pay more in interest?!

[@0wlyssa]

WOOO! I was so psyched for this video to drop! (And you know me too well - Howard caught my eye almost immediately, lol) Over $1,000 for average monthly car payments?! Jeez... I'd sooner get a hoopty off of Craigslist/FB Marketplace. 🤣 It's so gross how much interest we're paying on debts - you're totally right, that could've gone towards vacations, Christmas, fun events, and so on. Just more incentive to get those debts cleared off the ledger ASAP. Love how far you guys have gotten on your journey so far! You're such an inspiration; I appreciate you and your content and am excited for what 2024 has in store for all of us.

[@0wlyssa]

It also wouldn't be a TSB video without a cameo from Mr. Simple (and his loud socks). 😂 I've been able to pay off a number of smaller debts, convert a high-interest credit card debt to a lower-interest personal loan that is ALMOST under $10k, and I should be on track to achieve my slogan-y goal of "debt-free by 33." I'm looking forward to knocking out another two debts by June of this year - then I can really focus on tackling the larger student and personal loan debts! I'm so looking forward to the Q&A!

[@Ragt0p]

Yup, seing the size of interest payments was what made me mad enough to not have consumer debt. Now I’m lamenting savings interets not being increasing at the same rate as debt interest in my country. But think how much less you will pay in interest in 2024! Well done, you 🎉🎉🎉

[@vickiemendoza9252]

What a great year! Congratulations 🎉 I was in debt because I was unemployed & racked up 8K of debt. When I got a job I just kept paying & paying til it was gone!! I’m debt free but will be laid off again in feb. I have a interview tomorrow 🤞🤞 yes, I have a emergency fund🙌

[@kim1981D]

Hope your interview went well and you get the job😊

[@vickiemendoza9252]

@kim1981D thank you so much! It went well. Now I just need to sit tight & wait. Things I don't do well. Lol

[@lucindabutler1100]

Hi Veda, Happy New Year! You guy's are awesome, you have done an amazing job in paying down the debt! You can learn so much about yourself going through this debt free journey, how you have to make changes along the way. Thanks for sharing this, you have and continue to be, helpful to me as I'm still quite new to this. Have to say I'm really shocked at how much you can save with this method! Have a great week, love the owl mug. 💰💸☕💖

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you thank you my lovely lucinda 🖤🖤🖤🖤 i appreciate you and your kindness always.

[@lucindabutler1100]

@@thesimplebudget 💖

[@SimplySaraReads]

Totally feel all of this!!! It’s so hard to retrain yourself. I constantly sit and wonder what I could’ve gotten with that extra hundred dollars I just paid to debt. Etc. then I get angry at myself. Then proud. It’s a ton of mental work. I think the hardest part is mental 😂

[@diannerichards6018]

I like the idea about also paying the interest on top of the minimum payment thank you I honestly didn't think of that

[@terryhenderson424]

Super congrats for buying less of a house than what you could theoretically afford. Assuming the neighborhood, the schools, the distance from work, and the condition of the house are acceptable this was one of the wisest moves you made!

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you!!!! i agree- all of those factors met our standards, so i didn’t want to buy more. plus the sticker shock really hit me, and i dug my heels in 😆

[@michellebaily-defina644]

I just found your channel today. I loved seeing your end of this last years journey very encouraging!! I am a new subscriber !

[@thesimplebudget]

thank you!!!! so excited to have you here!

[@kathymcneil8282]

congratulations 🎉..much needed video..thank you

[@HeyKayBudgets]

Amazing debt reduction Vada! 👏👏👏 can’t wait to celebrate with you and hubby on your 2024 debt payoff video! ❤❤❤

[@thesimplebudget]

🥹🥹🥹 thank you 🖤

[@robbiethornton-peek7485]

TO ADD: Because I drank the cool aid we were able to pay off $146,000 in 26 months which included our mortgage. We have been debt free for almost 4 years. My dream was never to have the biggest house that I “could afford” though I was encouraged as you were. I love Hondas so no big fancy cars. Since finding Dave Ramsey I have become a Minimalist & I, too love clothe s but realized I don’t need two closets full. My dream, our dream was to travel the world on land and sea. I love cruising. We just returned from a month long cruise from the Middle East to Cape Town, South Africa. All paid for in cash. This is because our money belongs to us, not to debt.

[@joliewood9359]

I’m really excited for you. Definitely you have to both be on the same page! 2024 will be such a success for your family. Congratulations 🎉

[@thesimplebudget]

Thank you so much!!

[@pamelawlkr2012]

Amazing pep talk and everything I needed to get this year started right 🖤

[@lucindabutler1100]

Ideas for Q&A 1. Where do you go for your holiday, do you usually stay in the US? 2. Would you consider doing another YT channel ie cooking (or what you enjoy) as this channel has become popular as your voice and personality are so lovely? 3. Is there one item or thing you just refuse to give up? 4. What part of you old budget has gone? 5. Do they teach budgeting or financial lessons at college in the US? Veda, I hope these questions are not inappropriate!! Only answer what your comfortable with. x

[@thesimplebudget]

love these questions, lucinda!!!! thank you for being so lovely, always…. i’ve added them to my list!

[@anarivera8134]

A Well deserved Congratulations 🍾🎉🎈🎊 !! I’m super excited to hear about your wins!! Your beginning debt balance and income are very close to my household’s so your videos and insights have opened my eyes to the potential!! 🎉 fingers crossed 🤞🏼 this time next year it’ll be us 😃

[@thesimplebudget]

i’m so excited for you to tackle it!!!! it really does work when you take those tiny but intentional steps along the way.

[@sarahemery8742]

I feel those who have made the mistake are the best people to get advise from because they've been there, they learnt the lesson

[@thesimplebudget]

i’m of the same mindset- if they conquered and overcame, i want to know from them how they did it!

[@renatal1972]

I started the Dave Ramsey process in 2017. I have paid off $154k in student loans, and about $40k in credit card debt. The only debt I have left is my house and my car. My car was a necessity because I commute 100 miles a day, but I got a 0.09% interest on a 3 year loan and I made an extra payment before the first payment was due and pay extra every month. It will be paid off in 2 years and I will only pay $20. In interest, and one credit card. However I use that card for auto pay on all of my monthly bills and pay it off monthly.

[@FaithBudgets]

Hi Vada! Long time member of the crew. Great job on kicking your debt to the curb! I love your budget planner. I just started my you tube channel and I will be sending viewers your way for the awesome budget planner. I am in the process of filming my budget planner overview where I will show how I use many sheets of your planner. I’m not very tech savvy , so it is kinda slow go on the editing and filming ins and outs. Happy new year!

[@CreditDelinquencies]

I am new a budgeting with a new channel too and am very inspired by your success! Keep going! I am right behind 😅 subscribed

[@thesimplebudget]

awww thank you!!! and welcome!! 🤗

[@brittanywhite3399]

I have loved watching your videos. And we are definitely struggling. Also, I have always thought you reminded me of Kathrine Heigl. I love her. And again thank you for sharing your journey.

[@thesimplebudget]

i’m sorry you’re struggling- it really is a trudge sometimes…and can feel so fruitless. just keep pushing 🖤 and thank you for watching

[@staceylee-yang9164]

Thank you for sharing. Your story is very inspiring. I was feeling depressed looking at my debts and feel so lost and hopeless. This is giving me hope. I didn’t take into consideration pausing my 401k contribution to help pay off debts. Thank you for that info. Congrats on your journey!

[@thesimplebudget]

it can feel overwhelming for sure! check out dave ramsey- he has a very reasonable plan for how to help folks learn to handle their money- it’s called the baby steps!

[@KerriWithaK]

This is so great, so happy for you all!

[@debratakagawa4764]

My husband and I are completely debt free. I watch budgeting videos to encourage others to be debt free. I found Dave Ramsey after becoming debt free and having a good chunk of money in our retirement accounts. I basically did Dave ish without knowing. All motivation was from realizing we couldn’t pay our bills when there were too many minimum payments having to go out each month. Then 4 years ago the motivation was to be able to retire and not have a $2300 house payment pulling from our hard earned savings. So how do I feel? Relived! We live on just the amount I have budgeted albeit inflation is creeping in. For information: Target, and Walmart still are still great challenges.

[@kaylasullivan3929]

Absolutely adore Howard the owl🦉

[@EmilyT112]

You are very inspiring!!! Congratulations on your achievements so far!!

[@kayvandermeer8994]

Congratulations! What an amazing progress this past year. You can now count down the months till you are debt free and start on those next steps. I am sure this will be sooner rather than later. On a side note 🤩 I kept being distracted by the new ring you are wearing. It is stunning! Was it a Christmas gift?

[@jeissonbaez9707]

Amén 🙏 New subscriber . Happy to find you channel. Your journey truly motivational ❤I am ready to be aggressive with my debt journey. ❤May God continue blessing your family

[@jennymeier3018]

Thanks for your information!! we are paying debt down through the baby steps now also!!

[@terryhenderson424]

One of the reasons Dave Ramsey advocates what he does is that statistically across the masses, it works and not everyone remains as honestly dedicated to the life style adjustments required to aggressively pay down debt.

[@thesimplebudget]

it definitely works- his system makes sense, is effective, and sets up good habits for the future

[@terryhenderson424]

@@thesimplebudget Read or listen to the message and the goals beyond Ramsey's "rules" for the meaning of "why". Also sometimes he deviates from the general rules with individuals in individual circumstances in his advice; at least from what ive interpreted them to be without Peace University instruction et. al. His goal is to get people to cut up thier cards, never use a card, and never take out a loan for ever more however. The converse is to keep folks from paying off a debt, or even all the debt, then think they are on easy street only to rack up debt again; and often on "stuff", entertainment, vehicles, travel, and eating bon-bons at some personal care salon. Use what he teaches as best as it applies to your situation.

[@mirla838]

Wow, the rate you are going and the intensity is amazing. You should be debt free in a few months 🎉😊

[@thesimplebudget]

that’s the hope 🤞🏻 thank you!

[@sdlmjones]

Word of caution on 401k loans - they become instantly due if you leave the original employer. So depending on the stability of the company, your plans for the future (new job for better pay or moving for lower cost of living), the immediacy of paying this loan may be different. In taking a 401k loan - you also authorize the ability to withdraw from the 401k balance to pay the loan - including triggering early withdrawal penalties.

[@kimmoore9870]

Way to go!!! I started my journey this week! Thank you!!! ❤

[@thesimplebudget]

YAY!!!! i’m so excited for you and the pride you’ll feel after tackling your goals!