Note: This is a post from Adam Baker, founder of Man Vs. Debt.
I still remember sitting around the kitchen table with papers scattered all around.
I still remember the white board mapping out all the core concepts we’d want to teach.
I still remember wracking my brain for which action steps would lead people to APPLY each lesson to their lives.
It’s been several years since I designed the You Vs. Debt course – and in that time we’ve run several classes through the system.
All told, students have paid down over $700,000 in debt (in just a few years)! We actually haven’t updated that in a few months, so I’m hoping it’s even more!
Joan was actually a member of the very first beta class (my test group to try out the structure) and loved it so much she stuck around writing for 2 years (call her crazy). In addition, we’ve had no less than 30 students fully complete the journey and now proudly call themselves debt-free.
But all good things must come to an end.
I’ve decided to run the class and forums one last time – and then restructure the content of the course in another project I’m considering (it’s top secret for now). This will be the final runthrough!
My goal is to make it to $1,000,000 paid off by You Vs. Debt students. (I don’t know why that sounds so cool to me… I’m a sucker for whole numbers.)
To look back at something I created and be able to point to a million dollars in debt defeated… I’ll take it!
A million dollars doesn’t change our world’s obsession with debt, but it does change dozens of families and students who’ve completely turned their finances around.
That all said, the final You Vs. Debt course is now underway.
The least you need to know about You Vs. Debt:
- It has 30 individual core lessons – and each lesson has an action designed to take an average of 15 minutes a day.
- Monday through Friday will have a new lesson – every day – for 6 weeks straight.
- Each week is themed… Mindset, Gathering the Numbers, Budgeting, Expenses, Income, and Brining it All Together.
- There is a forum where you can interact with Joan and myself – and get inspired by your classmates.
- It works well for couples to log in and do the challenges together.
- Everything is focused on the small actions. They are doable – but you NEED TO DO THEM. This is for people who will complete it.
- We don’t ignore income (like a lot of financial education) – it’s just as important as cutting expenses (actually it’s far more important).
Look, you can’t pay off your debt in 6 weeks. But you CAN set a foundation that will radically change your current path and momentum. I’ve seen it happen over and over again.
A year from now… two years from now… that’s when I hear from past students and get the emails with their success stories. It doesn’t happen overnight – but accountability, inspiration, and clear specific action path are the core steps.
And that’s exactly what we do in You Vs. Debt.
*****
Lastly, I’m strongly considering coming back to write here about topics concerning “You After Debt”.
For me this would be concepts on money, wealth, business, investing, saving, and some other topics I really haven’t touched much on in 5+ years of writing.
Would you be interested in that?
Leave a comment and let me know if sprinkling in some of that content would help inspire and excite you as well. And if you’d like me to write more about my journey now – even if it’s not the same as it was. 🙂
More fun stuff on the horizon…
-Baker
Hey Baker! Good to see you here. I think it would be great if you came back regularly to write about “after debt” topics like investing and earning higher income. Seems like a natural evolution for you and it would be great to have your voice back in the mix.
Hope everything is going well with you!
Thanks, John. 😉
Please add in the content that you described; it’d make a great read!
Hi Baker, I wouldn’t mind you writing about life “after deb”t but I still would like to follow Joan, because she inspires me. We are also still working on paying off our house off, as it is our final debt, as for me I’m more drawn to topics that deal with where I am today. I think it is great to offer the ” after debt ” topics but don’t forget about those of us who are not there yet.
Keep up the good work!
We’d for sure have the YOU VS DEBT topics too. 🙂 Joan is staying either way – and I occasionally have new topics to add to that. Thanks for input!
I agree with Dani Sheffield! We are right where she is too. “after debt” information is great. To gleam as much information about finances as I can!!!
Aww, thanks, ladies!! 🙂
I want my Baker back. Miss you.
xoxxo
We will meet again soon, sweetie.
You guys are so cute.
It’s the final “xoxoxo” that makes that comment so precious.
Yep, I would absolutely LOVE to hear about You After Debt! I haven’t totally paid mine all off yet, but after attending the New Year’s class in 2013, I haven’t added any debt and I’ve paid off two of my credit cards and am aggressively working on the last one. Thank you so very much – your entire team and staff – for making this possible!
Hi!
I would like to hear about travelling cheap, or differently, or work or live abroad. And maybe tips too about go back to school while having financial obligations.
These subjects really touch me because as of December I’ll be travelling for a year then going back to school in a field I really like! But first, to get there, I had to clear the 15K in debts and that was not easy!
Thanks for your blog and the movie I’m fine thanks! We’ve watched it only 3 times!! (My boyfriend that is part of the journey too; quitted his boring job, in for the travelling, then he’ll explore other options of carreer where he would become his boss) The movie definitively creates this big feeling inside happening when you trust yourself, life and the future, because yes, it is possible, and that everything will be fine at the end!
Emmanuelle, Qc.
I’d love to follow your “After Debt” journey. My husband and I trashed our debt (except we’re still working on the mortgage) several years ago. We have a small business, investments, and we’re watching our net worth slowly build. It would be wonderful to learn how someone else does it. Sometimes I feel like we’re in no-man’s land and the only people that target us are get-rich-quick infomercials. 🙂
Hey Baker,
Good hearing from you! To be honest, I believe you should stick with your day job you left for a while back… If you don’t have that any longer, my offer to you still stands to join me on one of my film production projects as a possible Executive Producer or Producer/Director.
With your back ground, you may want to blow off the personal financial advisement and come out to Malibu and discuss some creative film projects I have in the “fire” financed and ready for production. You could even spend some of this winter on the beach with your family here in Malibu while we work on the projects!
Talk with you soon!
– RANjORE
Hey Ranjore!
Just to be clear, I’d just be writing once every week or two. It wouldn’t be a full-time thing like it once was. I’m super happy with Stillmotion right now and we’re doing exciting work. That won’t be changing.
If I have a topic that I’m going through or researching (to eventually go through), I may write my thoughts out though!
If things ever change for me, I’ll give you an email about your fun offer. 🙂
Welcome back Baker, glad to hear you are returning. I have missed your dynamic and strong articles, with no disrespect towards the current contributors the edge has been somewhat softer in recent months.
As to what “After Debt” editorial I’d be interested on reading. Well here goes…
Planning for future retirement, pension, property, investments (what can we live off when we no longer work)
Maximising your income, how to increase income without risk.
Socialising on a budget.
Looking stylish and dressing well.
Jonathan
Two responses and a question:
It would definitely be great to hear about the other topics and to have your voice back in the mix. However, only if Joan is also staying. I love her posts and she is tremendously inspiring.
I am considering the class but have also been though Financial Peace. How does You vs. debt differ and what would I be able to get out of it that I haven’t already?
I would also love a “you after debt” series! We are 3-4 months away from paying off our house, and we keep debating what the next smart move is…it would be so helpful to see what someone else is doing. It seems like there is a lot of advice out there about paying down debt, but not much on what to do once you’ve paid it off.
I would enjoying reading about you after debt.
Hi, I have never commented before though I have been following for some time…can’t even remember how I found your site but at the time I was trying to scrape together what was left of my life, finances & credit after a very horrendous divorce – not that they are ever pleasant…. Anywho, I was amazed at the transparency of your financial picture – frankly, I was amazed that anyone would share intimate details of their life & then use it to relieve, advise, instruct, and/or inspire the public!!! And that is what you did for me! I am 4+ years out from the “time of which we don’t speak” and can say that after selling my crap, paying off my debt, and now poised to jump into doing what I love…THANK YOU. I am ready for the next chapter in the Baker book of You vs. Debt. Sincerely, Kim
As somebody who has finally trashed all of her personal debt as of September 2013 (including mortgage– YAY!!!), I’d definitely be interested in reading about YOU AFTER DEBT. Especially the topics you mentioned of GROWING WEALTH , saving and investing.
But I am definitely with all those who have said that we want Joan to keep on writing. She is inspiring, and I love reading her posts. Even without debt, she gives me alot to think about.
You guys are totally making my day. Thank you 🙂
Hi Baker – I was already debt free when I discovered your website quite a few years ago but I still used to read every post from you because I really enjoyed your story and your evolution. I would love to see you back here and hear more about what your life is like now. I’m a sucker for stories and I think your return would resonate with some your old tribe and expand your readership a bit 🙂
I’d enjoy reading about your take on wealth building – I myself will be debtfree this coming March, so I am on the final stretches of the fight! Then on to the next one, that is financial independence!
I would LOVE to read a You After Debt blog.
I’m currently trying to figure out how to save for several big goals; trying to figure out budget, planning in multiple currencies since I work abroad, and the shared finances of living with a roommate.
Looking at things from a saving standpoint instead of a debt stand point would be really useful for many people – I think many people will welcome your return to blogging!
Yes! 😉
Hi Baker,
I would love to know more about growing wealth. What is your take on wealth consciousness?
Julie.
Hey Baker,
Sorry to hear it’s the last class, but thank you so much for all your help through it over the past couple of years! I would love to hear more of your current journey and thoughts on life after debt (which, for me, is still a ways off, but it’s good to have things to look forward to)!
All the best,
Steven
I say yes please to after debt content! I became debt free in January but I quickly realized I am still at the beginning of the race. It’s one thing to pay off your debt, and another thing to stay debt free for life.
I’m not sure what the best use of my money is now, i.e. do I continue to forgo a 401(k) plan so I can save every extra penny to replace my 12 year old car? I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts on money management once someone is in the black.
I am sad. You have helped me so much. I am on my way long way to go but I don’t think I would have gotten this far with out the course. I loved it. If you haven’t taken the course sign up now. Your life will change and the way you think about debt will give you a new look on life. I new life with new hope. Thank you Baker, Joan and Courtney for all that you have done. I know you will still continue to help people but the course is a vital part. Thank you! to the moon and back again!
Baker, welcome back any time. I’ve been lurking for years. In a crazy way, this community has brought me back to reality again and again. I have felt the ominous tapping on my shoulder… “Time to wake up, you idiot!” And here’s the last class coming up. Right now, I WANT to finally sign up. I’m a furloughed government employee and although my wife trusts me, she would not be happy about my signing up for the class at this juncture. I see it as the PERFECT time, were it not for the outlay. So here’s my question: I know your class addresses bringing along the reluctant spouse, but do I sign up and keep it a secret?
I’m with everyone else: Joan rocks. Because of her, we’ve been inspired to hustle to make our way through a small business that remains small, only for lack of time.
Hi, first time commenter as well, but over the last few months I have been catching up on all the happenings on Man vs Debt from the very beginning, and this blog has inspired me as well! We just sold our house, paid off all our credit cards and line of credit debts with it (just the cars left, both done with 13 months), and are awaiting our new house. But during this down time, we have consciously looked at our spending and where before it was “we should have enough to afford these payments, so let’s do this splurge” but now it’s more like “no more debt, only pay with money we have right now”. It’s absolutely liberating!
I think the mix of Baker and Joan, plus the guest blogs, provide a great balance. Joan is aggressively working on her debt (Joan, your enthusiasm is amazing!), Baker can show us the life after debt and all that you can accomplish while being debt free (and the challenges of course!). I have also really enjoyed Joan’s recent blogs on self employment, as I’m working towards that step in the next little while. You’ve offered some great tips and advice that I look forward to putting into practice.
Keep blogging and keep up the momentum!
I’d LOVE some “after debt” topics. That’s just about where I am. Thanks to this website and the great info here my husband and I have paid off over $223,000 in debt over the last 2 years. This includes the mortgage on the house we sold. Without the house we’ve paid off over $38,000 in credit card and car loan debt. We’ve now recently let the credit card get back up to $1500. Although this isn’t much we don’t want to fall back into old habits. I feel like we were a little unprepared for how to stay debt free once we got there. We signed up for the last You vs Debt class to help us get back on track. I think some You After Debt topics could really help us out a lot. I hope to see them soon. Thanks so much for all you’ve done for us already.
I’d in addition really like a new “you after debt” sequence! We are 5-6 weeks far from paying off home, and we retain deliberating what your next smart proceed is…it could well be thus beneficial to view what somebody else is doing. It seems like you will find there’s wide range of advice on the market about settling debt, but is not considerably upon what to do when you’ve paid for it away.