Becoming Debt-Free
by David DeFord

What keeps the most people from developing wealth? What is the greatest obstacle to retirement? If you could eliminate one thing to position yourself for financial peace and security, what would be?

The answer to each question above is debt!

Imagine the freedom and peace you would feel with no debt! Imagine the small portion of your paycheck you would need to meet your needs and obligations if the all of your earnings were available to you! Think about the savings, investments, and charitable giving you could enjoy!

The safety of your family may depend upon your attention to your debt. It has been estimated that 89% of all divorces can be traced to quarrels and accusations over money.

What will it take to convince you to finally resolve to become debt free? Will you need to be cornered by a creditor? Will you have to be publicly embarrassed? Or will you respond to a milder stimulus, like the frank advice of a friend, or an article like this one?

It's not the amount of money we earn that brings peace of mind as much as it is having control of our money. Money can be an obedient, productive servant, or a brutal taskmaster.

Success has a way of passing by those who have not the discipline to handle it. Through our healthy respect for money, we can attract wealth.

Compounding interest is your enemy. It robs you of your working funds.

Tony Robbins taught about the power of compounding by comparing it to a small , friendly wager on a golf course. Say that your golf partner suggested a small 10 cent bet per hole. You think, "Well, that means that only $1.80 is at stake." So, you agree. Then, he suggest that you double the bet on each subsequent hole.

Here's how it would go, if your partner wins each of 18 holes:

One the first hole you lose a dime. On the second, you lose twenty cents. When you add the dime from the first hole, you're down only 30 cents.

Big deal! The third hole is worth forty cents, the fourth only 80 cents. Not too bad. But now watch what happens: Hole five is worth $1.60, sixth $3.20, seventh $6.40, eighth $12.80, and the ninth $25.60. When you add up your losses on the first nine, you realize you are down $51.11.

Once you have finished your game, you will have lost what, maybe $150? Actually, because of compounding you will owe $19,660.80.

>>> Next

MySearch Philippine Knowledge Base Searchbox