We Are Officially Debt Free

Our experience with Prosper has provided us with essential knowledge to better handle our finances. Prior to our enrollment in the “Financial Planning” course we were living as typical college graduates: working full-time jobs with a modest amount of debt from school and living expenses. Our debt payments were always on time and above the minimum balance, however, we just couldn’t seem to pay it off in full. In addition, as we headed into our mid-20s we recognized the need to start investing and planning for our future. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the means or knowledge to do so.

Then, a few months ago, an unexpected change in family circumstances provided us with a modest amount of money. Those funds, coupled with your coaching and guidance, enabled us to take on the mentality that debt elimination was our top priority. We learned the importance of setting specific financial goals, “managing” vs. “tracking” our expenses and the basics of investing.

In addition, the knowledge we acquired enabled us to help our families. The key concepts we shared with them were well received. Their progress has steadily increased as they take responsibility for their financial decisions. Much to our delight, budgets have been created and expenses are being tracked.

On February 25, 2008, we became officially debt free. However, this achievement is just the beginning for us. We are thrilled to begin this new chapter in our lives. The funds formerly set aside for creditors will now be used to build our own wealth. We are eager to increase our savings, begin retirement funds and venture into investments.

Prosper’s “Financial Planning” course removed the fear and trepidation that came with taking control of our financial future. We are grateful for the wealth of information and resources that have been available to us. We are prepared to continue our success with the valuable knowledge we’ve acquired. Thank you!

Cooper & Nina S.
Orem, UT

Our Total Debt Reduction in Our First 60 Days is $34,750

As you are aware Rose and I had already eliminated our first two credit card debts with our original debt accelerator in December and January. Our January sale of the 2006 Highlander Hybrid brought us $25,000 to use to eliminate additional debt. We used this sale to eliminate three additional credit card debts totaling $24,000.

Today we have sold off the 2002 Toyota 4 Runner for $15,000 and used the equity in it to purchase a different vehicle which is paid off.  In the first 60 days we have eliminated 5 credit card debts totaling $26,000 and one car loan had a balance when we started of $8,750.  Our total debt reduction for these first 60 days is $34,750. 

We have eliminated 6 of our 14 debts. We have reduced our credit card debt by 46%.  We will have all of our credit card debt and one more car paid off by the end of the 2008.

Thanks for your help!

SUCCESS UPDATE

Today is our two month anniversary of purchasing the Transforming Debt into Wealth Program and this morning Rose and I completed a significant step toward eliminating our debt and moving toward our goal of financial independence! We have completed the sale of one of our high priced vehicles and made a major move away from: 'Looking rich and being broke.' And we are quickly moving to being wealthy! I have just completed paying off our third, fourth and fifth credit card debts and I am thrilled to be able to say that we are $25,882 closer to financial independence. All in just 60 days!

Today we are looking forward to finding ways to move the process forward and continue to accelerate our journey to being debt free and financially independent! I have rerun our debt accelerator program and we have reduced our debt free date by over 17 months from our original date two months ago. We can now see the end of the tunnel and we are looking forward to continuing our journey forward.

Have an awesome week and go to bed tonight knowing that you have made a difference in the lives of Rose and I and our two children!

Jim & Rose S.
Stillwater, MN


Q: What have you learned/accomplished since starting the coaching program?

A: "Reduced our debt by over $50,000 in 14 weeks and changed our spending habits and attitude about money and credit. Brought our two children of 16 and 20 and have watched them become much more educated regarding money and credit."

Time to Take Control of Our Finances

Our family signed up for the TDIW system because we were unhappy with our financial situation. We were living from check to check and dependent upon credit cards for emergencies. As the parents of one child and a desire to have another, we decided it was time for us to take control of our finances and we believed that the TDIW system would help us.

We believed that our strongest chance for success would be to enroll in the coaching program to help give us accountability.  I am please to report that a mere two months into the program has proven successful for our family. We have begun tracking our expenses and questioning the items that we spend money on. We are consistently eliminating recurring, unnecessary expenses from our lives in order to free up cash flow to pay down debt and reduce our dependence upon credit cards.

Below are the successes that we attribute to the TDIW program, you as our coach, and our commitment to our family:

• Increasing our net worth by $15K in two months (our net worth was negative when we started and we now have a positive net worth!)
• Paying off our student loans
• Increasing our cash flow and building an accelerator margin (we used to have a cashflow shortfall each month and have not experienced that since February 2008)
• Getting rid of our credit cards (we have not used credit at all in the year 2008)

Our debt-free date is June 2013 and we not only believe that this is an attainable goal for us, but it is our motivation to continue on our path to financial freedom.  We are also very pleased to share that we are expecting our 2nd child and as a result of joining this program, the black cloud of financial woe looming over our heads is dissipating.

Freddie & Acacia N.
Fort Worth, TX


Q: How has the coaching program positively affected your life?

A: "The coaching program was the best foundation to get us on the road to success.  Without it, I believe we would still be spiraling out of financial control."

We Have Eliminated $67K in Indiscriminate Credit Card Debt

We think we can do it!! That’s our most prevalent thought. Three years ago, we would have said no way! With the help of Justin Brimhall and the Prosper Learning Center, we are on the right track…we think we can, we think we can, we know we will!!

As our net worth increases and our liabilities decrease, we are excited and encouraged to press on and meet our goal of debt free before we retire around June, 2014. Our biggest change in mindset is that we are using Quicken to monitor our monthly expenses, and consciously pay all bills and purchases using electronic payments, debit card or cash. Contrast this with our rather indiscriminate use of credit cards just two years ago. The reduced debt burden also gives us great confidence and optimism as we approach our retirement years.

We have just a few debts left to eliminate and the house is our biggest! Our only use of a credit card since we started has been to pay off $36,000 on our home equity by using a credit card with 0% interest for a year and we’ll pay this off within the year. This is a great idea that we could never have done before!

Our improved cash flow paid for James’ tuition and replaced his car without further debt. We have eliminated $67,000 in indiscriminate credit card debt. Altogether, we eliminated $165,000 in debt so far, leaving $353,000 to go! An inheritance from a beloved Uncle helped us make long overdue repairs and upgrades and still left us with $29K in cash.

We are trying to restrict our charitable contributions and gift giving. We just need to stay on it, particularly as the holidays are approaching. We also need to continue to monitor additional expenses of air travel to visit our families in AZ, FL, and NY. There is not much we can do about the added travel since it is to attend to close family members who are ill or having babies. Although this is important and necessary, it will keep us from being debt free sooner.

It’s a daily decision to think before we spend…and that isn’t always easy. But, with our goals in mind, we can be more committed to challenging and questioning each other, before we decide to spend money on airfare, gifts, donations, or etc.

Our debt free date with a $3,000 accelerator is January, 2014. Think what we can do if we just increase the accelerator by $1,000! We are off to a great start!  Thanks for all your super coaching! We could use at least one more session on balancing between investments and paying debt.

George & Linda C.
Great Falls, VA

Big Career and Financial Changes

"It was just a phone call from Prosper and we looked at each other and said, 'Look, we've known we've needed to be out of debt.  We never found a program  that we really though we could buy into, this sounds like something we could buy into, we are going to go take a risk.'

It wasn't even one of those too good to be true programs, you hear a lot of those.  This sounds realistic, this sounds like something we can do. 

This year has been an updside-down year for us.  Little did we know we would both have tremendous career changes.  Not from things that we decided we wanted, but we know that it was all meant to be.  Both of us had long term careers with companies, but they cut short.    

Prosper's goal was to help change our lives."

Mike & Jennifer G.
St. Louis, MO

I Have Paid Off $65K of My Debt and Now Have $10K in Savings

When we joined the TDIW program in February we were continuously paying our bills and getting no where fast. The many hours of working were just not making a dent in the bills although hundreds of dollars were being applied monthly the interest kept them rising along with continuing to use some of them. Robbing Peter to pay Paul had to stop and this program has given us the where for all to do just that. Working with a cash only mentality and dollars in our wallet we have been paying off bills and watching it all work wonderfully. I read of the program and sent away for the tapes and program. We joined the program together to make our dreams come true.

I have seen that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that soon the tunnel will be no more. Blasting the mountain of debt away, gently and with ease has revealed the magnificent landscape of debt free living with possibilities never before seen. We had only dreamed of retiring someday, when was out of the question. Not only do we see it as a possibly but a reality with other money ventures helping us to create the revue to retire and to continue making money and not working so hard to get it. Personally I have seen that money can make money and that a cash only lifestyle is the best to have. Although we still have to charge something for the businesses we are able to pay them off quickly with the revue coming in.

Our debt free date is March 2014, $278,000 paid off in seven years. Leaving us with years if investing in ourselves and living our lives debt free with cash only. Before this program I could not see being financial independent in my seventies never mind in my sixties. We have been given such a gift by the TDIW program and the financial coaching from Kory Koontz from Prosper Learning. Lesly meet John many years ago in Portland, OR at an evening seminar, thought it a good program, but not until I heard it on the radio, thinking its about time to get off this merry-go-round, was I ready to grab the gold ring an jump off. By jumping off that debt-go-round we are now ready to ride the magic carpet to far off places where we can make money speaking and educating others while having fun and enjoying life together as a couple of older gals enjoying life and laughing all the way to the bank and putting money into investments.

We have changed in spending only that which we have and finding that we have done that very easily. We have begun to save money for the future and for emergency times instead of relying on using a credit card. Our businesses have begun to take on new role and images into future growth and wealth. We have started money market reaching to invest to build our portfolio into financial freedom and exciting ways of living simple and wonder filled awesomely fun lives.

SUCCESS UPDATE

Since joining TDIW ten months ago, I have been able to pay off $34,948 in credit cards and $30,200 off my mortgage that is a total $65,148 off my debt. I have also been able to read many books on debt reduction and how to invest money to make money. I have also been able to put $10,600 into savings.

My income has also increased by having multiple income sources to gain prosperity from. I want to thank you and the program for this added financial insight and for your individual coaching.  Thank you once again.

Dr. Kathy
Massachusetts

Off Credit and It Feels Great

I wanted to let you know that the biggest impact this program has had on me so far is developing a new mindset; a non-hyperconsumption mindset! What I want from life is for myself, my loved ones, and those around me to be happy and I'm a very happy person in general. Therefore, it's much less expensive to carry my happiness with me and influence others around me to be happy with out runny around trying to accumulate possessions to make me happy. Besides that my garage is already full.

Next, I decided to start with a margin of $1,300 for now. As we get more months of expense tracking under our belt that number will be revised accordingly.  As for a potential debt free date, I have not been able to get real good numbers into the 'debt free' program because of my neg am/ interest only loans. Our rough target is 6-7 years or better depending on creating extra streams of income with investments and/or extra business ventures.

Finally, Morena and I are off of credit and it feels great. I now associate using credit cards as such a bad thing it's easy to not use them. Of course credit can be a powerful ally, but not when used for the dark side. We are controlling and monitoring our expenses and, as I mentioned earlier, will have a much better grip on how they impact us by category in the months to come. Although we do have some home improvement planned to be completed within the next month and a half, those expenses will come from funds outside our monthly budget.

Within the next six months, Morena and plan to have our '03 Saturn paid off, (remember we just paid the last of our credit card debt) be well into paying our other car off, (the '06 Scion) have a solid plan for creating additional streams of income including consistent income from investments, and adding to our accelerator margin as well as utilizing the debt free program regularly to know exactly what our debt free date is as well as knowing the potential of our investments and knowing how to help others develop a program of their own. 

Thanks for everything!

Richard & Morena T.
Diamond Bar, CA

Our American Dream Come True

Our American dream is being totally out of debt and planning for a self-directed financial future.  This is projected for 5 years.

We listened to the TDIW 3 years ago and because of the cost $600.00 or so, we returned it.  I mean really, charging $600.00 on an already overburdened credit card, just didn't make sense.  Alas, if we had kept the system and implemented it then, we would only have two years left to be debt-free!

We went with the personal coaching system.  Our coach is pretty no-nonsense when it comes to our sessions.  We do not waste time.  We use each and every resource to increase our accelerator margin and we feel like racehorses, ready to take on our debt and defeat it.  Our coach pretty much cut out our excuses for being in debt.  He also listens to our suggestions on how to best manage our debt and encourages or discourages us based on his expertise.  Your coach is not your babysitter!  You and you alone got yourself into this mess.  You and only you will get yourself out.  Your coach is an advisor, who mentors your decision- making and guides you to a more realistic spending lifestyle.

It is week 5 for us and we have paid off a $4,600 debt that was not due until next year.  That means an additional $379 for the next debt.  We no longer carry cash and while we don't brag about our indebtedness, we are more forthcoming about saying, "Sorry, we would love to come, but we are really trying to pay off debt".  (This was for a Bon Jovi concert.  The tickets were free, but gas/parking and supper would have cost $150.00).  This new discipline is not for the faint-hearted, because sometimes it is really hard to tell your kids (for example).  No, we can't afford this.  But, we round it out by shooting hoops or watching movies together.

Good luck and God bless!

Denny & Beth S.
Sylvania, OH

Student Pays Off $11K in Just 4 Months

Well the real reason I got into TDTW system was one day I got up on a Monday and said to my self there has to be a better way than just work get paid , then pay bills. Because it seemed like after I paid bills there was nothing left over for anything, Being in construction I'm not guaranteed a forty hour work week my job depends on the weather and the market .So when I was short for bills I would just go further into debt with the credit cards my big liability.

I have learned know where my money has been going and where I had some leaks. I also can see know how to get out of this so called rat race. I just feel so relieved that there is a reason to go to work now knowing that I have a purpose to do so. When I think about it I get so mad at myself for not doing anything about it earlier. I can see my debit elimination date so clear I can almost taste it, which is by the way October 2013. I really can't wait, because then I know it will get really exciting then. To get rid of 163,186.00 debt and start using my money for me.

I really like the cash flow chart that in alone has made me fully aware of the way I've been not seeing where I really stand with my debits. I have noticed that I take longer looking at things now before I buy them or not usually not. I really enjoy the meetings with my coach he has helped my enormously and my hats off to him for being so helpful. I really enjoy learning about different ways to create more cash flow. And reading some of the books,like millionaire next door, Rich Dad poor Dad,I would like to add one more thing since I started, my total liabilities have gone from 161,782.00 to 150,699.00 that is a 11,083. Difference this is just since I have started just four months ago.

Thanks so very much John Cummuta.

Dennis O.
Rochelle, IL

Thank You for the Excellent Support System

Yes! We are excited to know that we were not that far off from a financial and retirement perspective; a little late joining, but were in the ball game. After talking with our coach for the last 6 to 7 weeks, it has been a real blessing. Going through the process of much reading; approaching money, the thought of having money, how you get money, this has broadened our thought process and we view things now from a different perspective. We are yet identifying other areas to cut back spending, locating our accelerator margin, various types of investments for retirement and to be come Debt Free within 8 to 9 years this sounds really good and it is within our near future.

You often hear people say, get out of Debt. Easier said than done, until someone takes you by the hand, its just a catchy phrase. Thank you for the excellent support system and we look forward to completing the program.

Selwyn S.
Chesapeake, VA

We Have Cut Our Debt By 1/3 in Only 4 Months

We started this program in January 2007 and it is now April 2007. We have cut our debt by a 1/3 in this short time. We have now positioned ourselves to having only one debt payment. We have combined all our outstanding debt into one mortgage. Therefore we will have the tax advantage while eliminating all our debt. We will be DEBT FREE BY APRIL 2012. Ken and I are so excited, we now know that we will not only have a great retirement we will also have so much more freedom between now and then.

Ken is really getting into on-line investing and I am still looking for something that I want to do. I have explored several web-based businesses without success; but, I know I will find something. What I think I really want to do is the real estate field. There are a lot of questions that need to be addressed. One of the great things about this system is not only the one-on-one coaching but the on-line coaching and the weekly telephone group coaching sessions. We get to listen and ask questions of experienced people in the areas that we want to explore. They help us see that we are babies in the woods and we need the expertise of coaches in order to move forward and become as successful as we want to be. We are committed to making it and we know that the coaches at Proper, Inc. will be there for us when we need them.

I believe this whole experience has brought us closer together and happier than we have ever been. We have always had a good relationship without too many problems but the stress of not knowing if the next paycheck is going to be enough is gone. Up to now I had been feeling very guilty about getting us into the debt situation that we were in because I lost my job. Ken never made me feel that way but it was something that has always been on my mind. We are both so excited about this and we see the light at the end of the tunnel. We know that we will not be going into retirement as our parents did; just surviving. We are going to do what we want to do, when we want to do it. From going on any vacation we want to-to doing what makes us happy at home together. There are so many things that need to be done in this country and volunteers are needed. We will not need to make money in order to survive so we can give of ourselves where needed. No Wal-Mart greeter job for us.

We wish all our friends could find their way to this program and see it for what it is. The greatest opportunity to fulfill any dream a person can dream. We will work to get them to see the light.

THANK YOU Prosper, Inc. for this opportunity and showing us how to live our life the way we want.

Ken & Betsy A.
St. Paul, MN

Since Starting this Program I Have Paid Off Two Credit Cards in Four Months

"I signed up for the “Transforming Debt into Wealth” program to get a better understanding of how to manage my resources.  As a 65- year- old retiree, I found myself living paycheck to paycheck with mounting credit card debt.  I had 5 credit cards nearly maxed out.  Since starting this program four months ago; I have paid off 2 credit card accounts and now buy everything with cash.  At the current accelerated rate that I am paying off my debt, I will be debt free in less than 5 years.  That includes my home mortgage.

I owe my success in changing my mind on how money works to this course and a great coach, Brad Gillies, of Prosper, Inc.

Thank you for your insight and patients in transforming my life."

Veda J.
Price, Utah

I Look Forward to My Coaching Session Each Week

I was first introduced to Prosper Learning when I responded to an email which said 'Pay off your house in 5-7 years'. It sounded too good to be true. I was tired of endlessly paying bills, increasing my debt and not saving any money for my retirement. The thought of retirement worried me because I felt like I would have to continue working most of my retirement away. I was $ 218,000 in debt and had no plan to pay it off.

Since becoming a student of Prosper I have learned that tracking my expenses to see where and what my money is going to has been helpful in managing my cash flow. I am also going to try and use check writing instead of a check card for paying. That way I have a few more minutes to think about my purchases.

I have personally received a new outlook for my future through Prosper. I now don't have to marry someone with a good retirement, or miss out on one. I now have a plan to get out of debt and invest in a prosperous future, more than any other retirement plan could offer me.

My debt free date is December 2013. This is going to be one date to remember. I can't wait.  A few of my short term goals are to get my office organized so that I can pay my bills on time, to avoid late fees. I would like to increase my Herbalife sales through use of the E Commerce system. I would also like to get a clear picture and feeling for how being debt free is going to feel. That way when I am tempted to over spend I can talk my way out of it.

I plan to continue tracking my expenses and keep my cash flow in the positive. I also plan to take classes in the investing and ecommerce areas. I hope to have my interest working for me real soon.  This has been a really great learning experience for me. The coaching has been something I look forward to each week.

Vicki A.
McAllen, TX

Our Future is Looking Brighter

We began the training sessions with great anticipation and concern that our financial situation was so out of balance that it seemed hopeless. You helped us focus on our spending habits by starting a spending journal and tracking these expenses.

The most significant thing that I learned was to stop using my credit cards. Paying cash for purchases limited my spending. We joined the program in desperation. You helped us start working together. It has been a worthwhile struggle together.

We changed our credit card payments to making minimum payments on all but one card. This allowed us to make larger payments to pay off our first debt. We are working to increase our accelerator margin to speed up elimination of our credit card debt. I have opened three new credit cards with low interest rates. I have transferred high interest rate balances to them in an effort to close out one credit card with an 18% interest rate. This high interest rate card should show a zero balance next month or the month after. I plan to leave the account open with a zero balance. Our next step will be to use the saved interest amounts to increase our accelerator margin and payments on other debts.

Our goal is to eliminate all credit card debt within the next two years. When that is done, we can concentrate on elimination of the bank loans. Eliminating these we can concentrate on the mortgage. Seven years seemed an impossible goal at first, but it seems more feasible all the time.

One of the biggest changes that we have made is to talk about our expenditures and to consider functional values rather than buying the most expensive model. Consolidating our insurance has allowed us more coverage without increasing out outlay for insurance.

All in all our coach has caused us to look, consider, and proceed in a more knowledgeable way to debt freedom. Our future is looking brighter.

Bill D.
Larned, KS

Students Increase Monthly Payments by $1200

Since we joined Prosper, there have been significant changes in our financial life. As suggested by our coach, we started tracking our day-to-day expenses and discovered how our money was draining in so many ways. We were able to control our spending habits to maximize resources toward a debt-free life.

We reviewed all our income and started with an accelerator margin of $320.00 monthly.  As we paid off a couple of debts which were Macy’s credit card of $58.72, Sallie Mae-student loan of $405.57 on November 11, 2007, Ford Credit of $4,271.32 (borrowed money from a family member in order to get Title as we are selling the vehicle to pay off some bills) on November 11, 2007 and Sears Plus appliance card of $1,203.08 on 1/3/08 by following the program the principles of the program. Our accelerator margin has increased to $755.00 monthly.

We sold the truck on February 2, 2007 and we applied it towards our Discover Card with a balance of $7,526.53, family member of $4000.00 and $1000.00 towards another balance. The remaining we paid the marina for the summer and some went into our savings. This will increase our accelerator margin to $1,035.00 monthly. As we reviewed our income and monthly debts we have decided to increase our accelerator margin to $1600.00 monthly.

We enter all new balances in Debt Free for Windows and ran new reports. The first report we ran once all debt was entered gave us a date of May 2019, 11 years 7 months to living debt free. Now that we have paid off some bills, currently the new report for debt free is now November 2015, 8 years 1 month. What a savings in just 3 months of working this program. We have so much gratitude for our coach.

Paul & Susan F.
Wethersfield, CT

Debt Free in Only 1.5 Years

The program helped me to be able to focus where my income has been spent plus I have been able to set do able goals. The binders have information that I will be able to utilize for a long time. I’ve already been able to reduce some of my expenses on a monthly basis through research of insurances. Through an understanding of the accelerator margin I should be debt free in 1.5 years. The information regarding taxes has also been helpful in capturing more of my expenses as a business expenditures.

Lynn F.
San Jose, CA

This Was a Necessary Step to Take Us to the Next Level

In the past we viewed credit as a “have to.” Meaning we had to have it in order to get things quicker. We now have a different attitude. We have cut up our credit cards and have closed some accounts which we found difficult to do. However this was a step necessary to take us to the next level. Credit is also the banks way of getting rich off of us.

The thing that has helped the most is keeping track of our spending and going through the tax information. The tracking has helped us because it gives us a better perspective on were our money is going. Using cash has also limited our expenses.

Our margin is currently at $369 and our Debt Free Date is March 2016.  Some of our 90 day goals are to further develop our on-line business and pay off the Chase Credit Card.

Darrell H.
Cincinnati, OH

We Now Have an Accelerator Margin of $1000!!

Since we started TDIW we have learned how to use our money more wisely. We have paid off all department store charges, Levin, Buzzatto (braces), and our Truck. Our accelerator margin started at $100 dollars and is now between $950- $1000 dollars a month.

We are now eBay users and have successfully sold a few items from our home. We have a PayPal account and are in the process of setting up a web site and doing ecommerce. Paul and I are attending a seminar Thursday 1-17-08 to learn more about setting up a web page and learning about search engines.

I now look forward to paydays and know that I am taking the right action for my future. Paul and I are both reading more and learning more everyday. We take advantage of free seminars that come our way and are always listen to people for ideas and tools that can help us in the now future.

Paul & Julie G.
Canonsburg, PA

Once You Start, It Opens Your Eyes

Prior to signing up for this program, Ted and I had felt like we were just floundering in debt. Living pay check to pay check, on my end, at least, had really started to get old. Never knowing if you were going to be able to pay all of your bills and dreading the thought of an unexpected emergency. The final straw came when we had to take a cash advance on a credit card to pay our property taxes. Ted saw an ad on television for the TDIW program and thought it would help us to take control of our finances, instead of the finances controlling us. We received the information and started listening to the CD’s. The theory was very simple and basic, but to actually put in to practice this idea of getting out of debt was hard to grasp. I think most people carry around this thought in the back of their minds that “some day” when they have no debt will finally arrive. Well, we don’t live in a fairy tale, and we have to make our own “some day” happen. Prosper has let us see that we can control when our own “some day” arrives.

We signed up for counseling sessions. This incurred another debt that we weren’t happy about. We knew we were in trouble, financially, and this spilled over in to other aspects of our married life. I had to look upon this new debt as a needed expense. I will admit I was defensive of my position on how I viewed finances. I work very hard for the money I earn, and felt I had every right to decide on how to use MY money. I still feel that way to a certain degree, but not as much as before. I am more willing to openly discuss how and where the money should/could go. I have been trying very hard to keep Ted “in the loop” of what bills are being paid, and what expenses are looming. When we were first married, he was very happy to turn the bill paying over to me. He hates to write checks and always had a very hard time balancing the checking account. It was easier for me, and so it became my job. As a result, I became the minder of the store and it enabled me to just coast along paying bills week by week. This was fine when he was working. When he retired due to some health issues we were not ready to live on a limited income. We certainly were not prepared financially, and definitely not mentally. I wish I could go back to those days of more money and live it in a wiser fashion. But again, this is not a fairy tale, but real life. There are no do-overs here. All we can do is go forward and try to make it work.

For the most part neither one of us is a spendthrift. I feel we live a pretty frugal life style. We don’t have to have the latest gidgy-gadget, or fancy cars or clothes. We live in the country and don’t have to try and keep up with the Jones’s. That part was not our problem. Our problem was that there always seemed to be more month at the end of the money.

Now, with the information acquired with TDIW we view money matters differently. When I am in the grocery store and I have my hand on something, I stop and think, “Do I really need this? Can I do without?” Usually I would just toss it in the cart and forget about it. Now I think about it. That mental attitude has stayed with me when I am in other stores as well. I stop and think whereas before, I didn’t think. I just bought. For me, having to write it all down was the key. Yes, it’s hard, and yes, it is a pain to do. But once you start, it opens your (my) eyes as to where all the money goes. Having it in black and white allows you the opportunity to see where you can improve.

I think I have become more open with discussing money issues with Ted. I know that was a big problem for him as he felt I was “hiding” money because in his mind he couldn’t account for where it all went. Once I started to include him on the bills going out, and the amounts, he started to feel better. I think I looked at it as more of a control issue, rather than looking at it as working on a problem together. With this new mindset, I feel as if we are better placed to really start to eliminate our debts.

This program has enabled both of us to take a long hard look at our spending habits, and each other. Discussing money has never been easy as it usually ended in an argument. It’s easier to just not discuss those types of issues. Not discussing them, however, causes other problems elsewhere. In some ways, being able to be open is very freeing.

I did sit down and work out our debt free date and it was scary to see how long it is going to take. The alternative is to see the same figures and visualizing them getting larger and multiplying. It’s like a snowball rolling downhill. Once we see the bills disappearing, we can imagine the snowball as the money we are freeing up- to be used elsewhere, and not staying stagnant.

During this financial educational time (and that’s the way I had to view it-as if I were going to money school) I have been able to take a look at how I was using, or in this case, abusing our money. I don’t think I am as frightened of money as I once was. I look forward to day when I view money as my friend.

Ted M.
Port Deposit, MD

This Program Has Changed Our Attitude

We are really excited about this program; it has change our attitude concerning paying off debt and accumulating wealth. We have always seen ourselves debt free but once we got started into this program the vision truly became real. This program has given us the vehicle to not just pay off debt at a specific time but also a means to build wealth.

Our projected time to payoff our debt of over $500,000 is November 2015.  So far we have paid of two bills and are in the process of paying off the third by the end of December 2007.  Our accelerator margin is currently $1,400 and by adding any extra income, we believe this gold may be reach even sooner than the projected date.

Working with our coach, and the tools provided, has opened our eyes and appetite to learn new financial techniques.  We cannot wait to see our bills paid off and begin the wealth building process.

Lindsay & Jemma C.
Missouri City, TX

I Am Learning a Lot about Investing that I did Not Know Before

I have updated my Cash Flow chart and have an accelerator margin of $297. I'm still not sure how except that I had to take larger dividends from the company to pay for a large car expense and property taxes for our vacation property. And then there was the holiday and Christmas coming up.

Our goals are that we are financially independent by 2012. We will have at least 5 investment properties and on our way to having a fully funded retirement fund. To get there I am learning how to monitor my expenses and income from the Prosper learning system so that I have more control of where my money is going and where I need to cut expenses. It is a daily activity. I am learning a lot about investing that I did not know before and am starting to feel more confident to move forward and actually begin. I am also learning that for this to work, I have to stay very focused on our goals and let nothing get in the way, which is not an easy thing to do, but first we have to pay off our son's student loan and now a VERY large credit card bill.

Rindy & Jim C.
Clackamas, OR

Student Will Save $157K in Interest

I think the spending journal and cash flow management are the two things I thought were more helpful for me. It is helping me to condition myself to be aware of my expenses and (even though I still did not figure out how I will be able to) I am starting to think on how I could set a budget to live within.

I'm also loving learning everything about finances...It gives me a sense of hope, it is exciting!  I've been brown bagging now and I think I will save about 75 to 80 dollars a month...I'm also shopping to reduce my insurance premiums on my car and homeowner’s, trying to increase my accelerator margin.  In considering another source of income, I've started researching about maybe starting to write books for children, one thing I've once dreamed of...

I also want to look into my life insurance I have with Ameriprize too.  I have learned through you if it is the best deal of if I could improve it.  I think I have been very disciplined and really have applied myself on doing my assignments. It is already a great accomplishment.  From the financial point of view, I was well impressed with my current net worth and thrilled when you said I will see it grow fast from now on. I'm starting to apply my accelerator margin this month, with $350 dollars. On January, I will start applying $500. I plan on increasing it as soon as I figure out a realistic budget and improve my cash flow.

Also, I'm cancelling my bi-weekly mortgage payment to use the money to improve my accelerator margin. It will give me 150 dollars to boost my accelerator margin.

If I use the accelerator margin of 500 dollars,(350 from the minimum payments on that credit card I've just paid off + 150 from the biweekly) I will be debt free in 15yrs and 1 month.  I will have saved 157,522.00 in interest.  My retirement fund will be worth 844,292.00. That on 10% interest would provide me 7,036.00 monthly, for the rest of my life.  I'm guess-timating $5,000.00/month... I will need for retirement.  I would like as much as possible for retirement... I guess at least 1 million dollars, if I can.  It is like I said to my brother: This is like my master program and better because it will make a big difference in my financial future. I will invest as much of me as I can.

Mayra B.
Wellington, FL

Our Net Worth Is Now $69K

We joined the program to have a better life after retirement. I plan to retire in 2016 when I am 62. At the present time our accelerated margin is $450 and we are planning to increase this by about $100 in the next few months in order to pay off debts faster. We had no accelerator margin at all before we started and were living from paycheck to paycheck Our net worth is now $69,000, hopefully as we pay off our debt our net worth will go up. Prior to joining, we were about $150,000 to $200,000 in debt living pay check to pay check and not having money left over. We were just getting by. Now we are only about $134,000 in debt and as we go along we shall get that debt down to 0.

We have paid 1 debt and are working on another and should have that debt paid in April 2008. Our debt free date is November 2013 and that will be a very good day when we have no more debt

Dan W.
St. Petersburg, FL

The Resources Available at Prosper Learning Are Invaluable

As the New Year begins, I thought that I would give you an update on my progress in the TDIW, and coaching programs. Since April 2007, I have paid off six debts, totaling $6500.00, and am on my way to being totally debt free by April 2010.

The resources available at Prosper learning are invaluable, the information in manuals are well written, and easy to follow. If I have any question, no matter how big or small , the staff in resource center make me feel at ease.

Finally, I would like to thank you for being there for me. You have a wealth of knowledge that you readily share, and when I struggle with some of the concepts, you remind me that financial independence is a work in progress.  I look forward to the wealth building portion of the program.

Bernadette H.
Cincinnati, OH

I Understand How to Best Pay Down My Debt

My TDIW journey began late October 2007. I ordered John's CD from a radio commercial that I heard at lunch time one day on my way to meet a friend to lunch. I had heard the radio ad before but this time I seriously wanted to invest time and resources into changing my financial situation. I had been praying for guidance in this area and had made a little progress in 2007 but not any where near where I wanted to be financially.

Once I heard the TDIW program, I quickly figured my debt and 7 years to financial freedom (including my mortgage). I immediately called to find out how to learn more in order to get a plan in place to eliminate my debt of over $340K! In November of 2007 I started the coaching program. I spent most of November checking out the system and working with my coach who made it clear that I had to decide to change my mindset on money.

Again, I prayed for the strength to let go of habits that had got me into the level of debt I was facing and make changes. In December, 2007, I committed to a cash basis. I also have been able to get over $200 of margin to apply to my debt by taking control of how and when I spend my money. My debt free date is still being determined based on the best way for me to apply cash that I have to either apply to debt or invest.

In the 2 months that I have been in the coaching program, I understand exactly where my debt is, how to best pay it down, how to acquire additional margin, how I spend the money that I work so hard to earn and my monthly cash flow!  I anxious look forward to where I will be on a monthly basis as I learn more from TDIW program. 

Jodie W.
Coppell, TX

Student Will Save Over $90K in Interest

Since I have started this program I realized how important it is to track spending, stick to a budget, and create a plan with goals.  Now I can eliminate waste in our daily spending and work on getting my kids off of economic outpatient care.  I stopped an insurance policy for $68 savings each month. Raised deductables on autos and home, saving $12.50 a month. Cancelled credit Life and service contract on my truck, saving $2000 on the principle.  My accelerator date is Feb 2014, I hope to find, and create other ways to be debt free even sooner than that.  Saving over $90,000 in interest.

David C.
Midland, MI

We Have Already Paid Off One Credit Card and Our Car Payment

We have settled on an accelerator margin of $1500.00.  Since we started our personal finance program we have paid off one credit card and our car payment and are well on our way to freedom!  We discovered that we will be able to be completely debt free by September 2012!

We also plan to retire – if we want and move to our dream home by 2022 – just 15 years from now.  We are also teaching our daughter, Shama, everything we are learning so that she can start early and never find herself in our situation.

Cristie & Shashank A.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

It’s Empowering to See What Can Be Done with Financial Discipline

When I first met my coach, I was beginning to put together a life plan for myself and children, going through the beginnings of divorce process.  Lots of financial planning things were up in the air, but my coach was able to help me sort things out and a great plan went into effect using the figures available.

My first assignment, going over debts vs income, honestly brought me to tears.  However, with continued reading and coaching, the tears are no longer necessary.  It’s still scary looking at the figures, but with a good plan to follow, its empowering to see what can be done with financial discipline.

Things that I have done to date are: daily tracking of my finances, paying for things in cash, automatic savings each month for my 'rainy day', I have increased my retirement contributions, taken advantage of the pretax health deduction my company offers, pay my bills online, have paid off a few of my smaller credit cards, successfully challenged credit card companies regarding interest and late fees, and I am looking for ways to use my hard earned money to its best potential.

I have taken an inventory of all my insurance policies, read and familiarized myself with emergency planning.  Although I am not making tremendous amounts of money, I feel very good about the way I am managing it. I make daily visits to Finish Rich Coaching and enjoy the transcripts and find them encouraging.

I have been able to teach my children how to set priorities and save in one area so that we have extra to spend on the things we really want and enjoy. We are making plans to change their savings accounts to interest earning accounts with weekly contributions so that they can begin to be responsible for watching their money grow.

For me, it is energizing not to have to worry as much everyday about my finances because I know I have good plans in action and everything is organized and improving daily.

Tricia D.
Hubbardston, MA

I Feel a Sense of Relief that We Are Learning

This is only our third session with the course; but my husband and I feel a sense of relief; just for the fact that we are learning to become financially savvy. It is an exciting time in our lives.  I am learning, thus far, how to invest money into a mutual fund to make it grow. I just opened an online account to pay our bills. I hate spending half of my weekend writing checks and stamping envelopes! Yuk!

I have never been a 'math' person per se; therefore I kind of dreaded the fact that I may be a real dummy. However, I am enjoying figuring out lattes. It is challenging, inspiring, and I am feeling free in knowledge and results.  I swear, I was so frustrated by reading books and not being able to carry out what I learned. I still had so many questions on finances. Different authors would advise on differing points of view. Ahh! These things drove me crazy. Now there is some resolution. We have been saved with this course! Yeah!

God Bless all of you. 

Rose & Ed C.
Sun City Center, FL

It is Amazing to See What I Was Already Worth

My name is Lorna Jean.  I am 38 years old.  I am a am a single mom of two beautiful children.  I own my own home, I have been self employed for the past 12 years.  I was divorced in 2001 and had an emergency back surgery in 2006.  These two major events put me a lot further behind than I would like to be at this stage in life.  I have no retirement savings, no medical on myself and more credit card debt than I would like.  I was never really taught what to do with money.  I mean I know I am suppose to save it, I just would like to learn how to save it where it actually works for me not me working for it.  It is very important for me to build a new home and get out of the neighborhood I am currently in.  It would be a lot safer for my children. 

Since I have joined your program I have paid off a couple of credit cards a lot faster than I knew I even could.  If everything works out for me I’m looking to be out of my current debt by 2010.  I am hoping to be in a new home and have my current one sold in the next two years.  I would like to get my retirement started in the next 15 months as well as medical on myself.  It was amazing to actually see what I was already worth.  It was very easy to apply the program right away. 

The hardest thing is to stay organized with my paperwork, but that has been an issue with me since I was a young girl.  Then program is going to help me with this too I see.  When all is said and done I would like to travel with my kids to Europe.  Maybe later set up some programs to help other single parents get the local kids some kind of educational help.

Lorna Jean R.
Port St. Lucie, FL

I Have Paid Off Two Credit Cards and Am Working on My Third

Had a “Aha!” moment one day while coming home from work feeling overwhelmed and out of sorts when on the radio was a commercial from John Cummuta. OK why not I know I needed to do something if I wanted to retire in six years.

Since October I’ve learned cash is the way to go. So the first thing I did was get rid of the credit cards. That was a tough one but it is getting easier. I have paid off two credit cards and am working on my third. My DEBT FREE DATE is July 2011.

My short term goals have been to avoid the shopping and do something else. My lifestyle has been to slow down and enjoy the simple things. I have changed my thrift to more aggressive and am keeping track on that. I am more aware and think about what I spend and why. I have had a few rough spots but I am taking that snowball downhill. I am looking at a few condos to see what is out there. But my biggest goal is to get rid of the debt. So keep on pushing.

Debbie G.
Frederick, MD

We Now Have Hope About Our Future Together

We are very happy with the Prosper coaching program. Before we started this program we really were not very good with our money, and of course that is why we had so much debt. Our coach has really helped us to change the way we think about our money, and that would have been the hardest thing to change if we were doing this on our own.

We found more ways to save money from our coach and the wonderful materials that we received with the Transforming Debt into Wealth system.  With our current accelerator margin, we will be debt free in 7 years. We have transferred our biggest credit card debt to a 0% for 2 Years credit card and the estimated savings on that is at least $2000. We are always looking for ways now to decrease that time, but because of this program we now know how to do that!

We now have hope about our future together, our dreams are a closer reality now than they have ever been since we have a plan to work toward them, and without our coach we probably would still be stuck in the same place we have always been.

Thank you, Thank you for everything!!!

Todd & Melody A.
Denver, CO

Without This Program, Our Future Would Have Been In Trouble

Giovanna and I were apprehensive about the cost of the program when we signed up. We even had a little 'buyer’s remorse' at first. However, now I have to say we are very glad we did.

I think the single most important thing we can say about the program is that it has given us vision. Vision into our spending habits and where we can improve them and most importantly, vision into our future and how to set ourselves up for success. You helped us realize a consistent positive gain in our monthly remaining cash where before we operated in the negative. And, we have paid off our first bill and close closing the second one. All of this without any extra income.

We're starting with a margin of $400/mo and plan to be debt free by March 2010. I can honestly say that without this program our future would have been in trouble. Along with vision, you have given us the incentive and courage to take our wealth building to the next level. We intend to start our own business and hopefully by the completion of the program we are fully operational. That is our short term goal. Our long term goal, which is now possible, is to be in a millionaire status within 15 years. That is awesome.

Thanks for your help. We will certainly stay in touch and let you know how things are going.

JD & Giovanna S.
Ashburn, VA

We Believe this Program Will Give Us a Plan to Eliminate Debt and Save for Our Future

We first of all would like to thank you for your time and effort in training us to manage our money.  We joined this program to learn a better way to manage our finances and to find ways to save money for our retirement.  We are looking to paydown our debt.

Prior to this program we had no plan for managing our money for the future. We believe this program gives us a plan to eliminate are debt and save for our future.  Seeing where our money is being spent is helping us to decide were are money is being wasted.  We have never looked so closely at the direction of are money that is the money that isn't allocate towards bills. This programs showing us a way to grow in the direction we want to go to be debt free.

We've just started this program so there will be a lot of work to change our bad habits.  Our short term goals are to improve our home based business to get more money to put towards high credit cards, and pay down our home loan.  Our life style to be warm comfortable worry free of debt, to enjoy the simple good life.  One of the big changes in our life is making a chart to live by.  These are hard change to make as we have not lived with this type of discipline in our financial life.  At this point we have a lot more practice to make this program work for us.  Eina is looking for worksheets that will help organize her business for tax purposes, and or tax advantages that will help us.

Eina & Dan B.
Bloomington, CA

We Already Recommended this Program to Our Friends!

My husband and I are both under 30 and already feeling the strains of being in debt.  We were worried about our future and the prospects of starting a family and saving for retirement really scared us.

Since we've started this program our lives have only gotten better. With an accelerator margin of $350 we are knocking out debts one by one. Once we have paid them all off in about 7 years, including our house, we can start saving and investing for that future.

If you asked us 6 months ago if we thought we would be debt free in under 10 years, we would have laughed! Now, we want to beat the 7 year mark and become debt free even sooner. Our whole mindset has completely changed in terms of our spending. We are much more frugal with our finances and it is paying off!  We already recommend this program to our friends and try to pass on the knowledge that we have learned, because it works and will change lives.

Thank you so much!!!

George C.
London, OH

I'm Very Thankful for Getting into the Program

I’m very thankful for getting into the program…I have a vision of getting fully out of debt thanks to this program...I just do the smart things now with my money, I don’t charge any more…I have a vision of getting out of debt in 4 years and have my house paid in 7.

Greg B.
Bagley, WI

Your Coaching Has Been Invaluable

Your coaching has been invaluable. I know I have allowed myself to become distracted by many other areas of my life and left incomplete the work you have assigned me to do. I am going to make a larger effort to move this more towards the top of the priority list. I thank you for your patience and excellent suggestions. I am looking forward to continuing this journey with you.

Sue L.
Antioch, CA

We Were So Excited to Sign Up

One day in October 2007 Joe came home and said he heard this man John Cummuta on the radio and how his program could help us become debt free.  We were so excited we called to sign up. Joe had some health problems which started us thinking about our future and how much debt we have and what is important in our lives. We would like to spend more time with our kids and family and have more time for traveling. We could make our bills but wasn’t getting ahead.

Since starting on our road to debt freedom we learned cash flow management. We saw places we could save money, cut back on things we didn’t need, and keep track of every penny we spent. By implanting the TDIW system we have stopped using credit cards, we acquired a debit card and buy only the things we need not the things we want. We are saving everywhere we can and find ways to put money to our accelerator.

Our debt free date is 2023, which includes all credit cards, primary house, mountain home, and four rentals. This is with a four hundred dollar accelerator. We are working on ways to increase this accelerator amount to drop our debt free date by many more years by expanding into a home based business and increasing rental properties with positive cash flows. We have changed our spending habits by not using credit cards and are constantly looking for ways to increase income. Also we are continuing to monitor our spending to keep costs down. We are learning to implement tax strategies to increase our net income.

Joe & Reba B.
Henderson, CO

We Couldn’t Have Asked for a Better Coach

We started working with Prosper in August 2007. After hearing commercials on the Sean Hannity show regarding the “Transforming Debt into Wealth” (TDIW) program from John Cummuta, we decided to order the program. We were at a point in our lives that we didn’t know how to get out of debt so we could retire “some day”. We were “spiraling the drain” and needed some creative ideas to help us attain our goal of simply retiring. John Cummuta seemed to understand exactly where we were in our lives.

Our coach was very intelligent, an easy communicator, and an extremely positive. We couldn’t have asked for a better person to work with during this learning process.

Our coach has given us incredible tools for monitoring our 401K, and our other retirement accounts. Before Prosper we were at the mercy of our account manager. We met once a year to make sure we were “in the investments we should be for our age.” Because of our coach, we are now watching our own accounts and will make adjustments as we see the trends change.

All of the valuable CDs, and reading material will be listened to again and again and read and re-read. Along with those tools, are the numerous websites we visit to glean even more information. Among our favorite is Sandy Botkin, and the website taxreductioninstitute.com. Sandy is energetic, intelligent, and quick witted which makes his CDs and books very enjoyable.

After the sessions with John end, we will be able to call him as needed and visit the library at Prosper Learning Center. We will not be left on our own to try and figure out the day-to-day as we continue to track spending and eliminate our debt. We appreciate the support that everyone at Prosper offers.

Donald & Dottie A.
Anderson, CA

This Program Has Given Me a Financially Smarter Future

Status of my Cash Flow & Debt Plan-I will be turning in the leased car on Feb. 1st which will free up $88.00 per month on car insurance, $192.00 per year on car registration and about $1,200.00 a year on gas. I will use this extra cash to increase payments on my zero interest credit card with the idea of paying it off quicker. I need to update and re-evaluate my Debt Free Date. I can honestly say that this program has given me a better sense of a brighter, financially “smarter” future. It will just take some hard work and diligence on my part. But, with the tools provided I believe I will accomplish this.

Lisa R.
Anaheim, CA

We Apply a $350 Accelerator Margin to Our Monthly Debt Payments

Back in October, 2007 June and I were $106,000 in debt with no real idea of how to get out from under all that weight.  We heard about Transforming Debt Into Wealth and decided that we would like to give it a try.  Wow, what a change this program has made in our lives.  We were introduced to our coach, who immediately began giving us tools and ideas to get us started on our way to eliminating our debt and to start planning for our wealth. One of the most beneficial visualizations was the spending compass. North is good spending, South is not the best use of our money, East and West is when we need to pause before putting our money out. EXAMPLE: I decided I needed to go to the store to buy cookies. I had gotten about half way there when it dawned on me that I truly did not need those cookies or to spend the gas money (the South expenditure). I stopped, turned around, and went back home. That may seem a small decision but for me that was HUGE.

Within a couple of weeks we started paying our monthly debts and bills using the $350 accelerator margin and soon the smaller debts were paid off. We then applied the amounts of those payments to the $350 plus the standard payment to Pat's car and were able to pay the loan in full four (4) months early. We are in the process of working on our largest credit card payment by using the amount of our 'new' accelerator margin and applying it to that balance. We are looking forward to being totally out of debt in January 2013.

To think that in January 2013 we can then begin the journey to financial freedom. Our goal is that we will be applying all of the 'new found' money toward our financial well-being by investing in bonds, stocks, cd’s, and futures. In the meantime we are researching and practicing different ways that are available to afford us the opportunity to become independently wealthy.

The best thing about the program is the knowledge that we can do it! We can be and are a success already. Just by making a few small changes to our lifestyle and prioritizing what is truly necessary in the way we spend our money we are now able to look forward to a happier, healthier, and longer future.

Pat & June W.
Lyndon Station, WI

I'm Incredibly Thankful for Coming Across this Program

I'm incredibly thankful for coming across this program. Before now, I felt that I knew what I was suppose to do to keep my books in order, however, that was not the case. I was spending money without really knowing how much money was going out. I would go two months without working on my personal books, yet occasionally looking at my account online. Since working with this program, I am more conscious about what I'm spending and where my money is going. I actually have taken active steps to get my personal life organized. I am a bit hard on myself at my times, however, I am extremely confident that I will succeed and I will be debt free in 7 years.

Bonnie K.
Branson, MO

We Have Seen a Significant Decrease in Our Debt

Since we have started the Transforming into Debt Program we have seen a significant decrease in our debt. With the help of our coach, we have been able to track our spending and increase our accelerator margin from $150 to $1500. This was possible by looking closely at our daily spending habits and how we were investing our money. As a result of our increased accelerator margin, we foresee ourselves out of credit card debt in 3 years. Without the help of this program it would have taken us 9 years.

We initially joined the program because of high credit card debt. We have tried to decrease our debt on our own for the past 3 years but have not seen any significant decreases. Within the first two months of the program we paid off two credit cards, each with a balance of $1,100. We are currently paying off a third credit card that had a $9,000 balance. So far we have paid $4,500 on this card. If we had not been on this coaching program we would not have been able to pay these high amounts.

We are so glad to have joined the program. Our coach as well as the Prosper tech support has helped us achieve goals that we thought were unreachable. Now we are on our way to financial independence!

Craig & Jean P.
Ossining, NY

This Program Will Have a Positive Affect on the Rest of My Life

I have learned so much these past months. My coach was so helpful and explained things so I could understand them, which I know wasn't very easy at times. He was very patient with me. I appreciate that very much.

I cancelled a life insurance policy that I was paying $246.00 a month. It was money I needed to pay of credit cards instead. I now have an accelerator margin of $400.00 I didn't have before. I am about to pay off one credit card and will then have more to pay on the next one. I am learning how the accelerator margin works. My debt is $102,000 and in Sept.2014 I will be DEBT FREE.

I have just started this journey but I have the faith that all I have learned will help me attain my goals. It will have a positive affect on the rest of my life. I plan to show my children the plan to help them achieve the same goals for themselves.

Thank you Prosper.

Jeanne B.
Lakeside, CA

We Can Pay Off Our House in 7 Years

The reason that Judy and I joined the Prosper Program was to learn how we could pay off our house within 7 years. Our projected debt free date is 1/1/2014. I believe that we will pay off the house in less time than that. 

What we have learned is that cash flow management is at the heart of debt elimination.  At this early point in our studies, we have become acutely aware of what we are spending money on and what we can alter to save money. 

Lou & Judy C.
Metairie, LA

We Have Paid Off $5K in Credit Card Debt and Will Save $165/Month

When I first responded to the TDIW advertisement, my financial life was spiraling out of control. I had always lived life day to day spending what I earned. My parents lived that way, so I just adapted that lifestyle expecting that some how things would always work out.

Because I never planned for the future, I was forced to bridge these needs with loans, credit card debt and a second mortgage. At this point my days became worrisome and my nights sleepless. I scrambled for a solution but nothing seemed to fit. Then, one day on my way to work I heard an advertisement for the TDIW program. I read the material and watched the video and thought that finally something made sense. When I was called about the coaching opportunity, I was very reluctant. I thought at that time, and still think now, that the price was exorbitant, but I also thought that if this program can do half of what it promises it will be worth it. So I accepted the opportunity and as I now consider my decision I am glad that I did.

The TDIW program offered me a systematic approach to addressing my debt. It helped me to build a vision for debt free living, and it showed me how to determine leaks in my spending. “The Debt Free for Windows Software” was instrumental in defining my debt free date. Before TDIW I thought I would certainly die in debt, but now I live believing that if I am diligent I can be out of debt even sooner then the August 2016 debt free date.

As a TDIW student I learned to track my expenses documenting every dollar so that I could determine leaks in my spending. Of course, it helped to have a coach as a third set of eyes in order to keep me and Maria honest and focused. In implementing this program, I learned about unnecessary expenditures. For example, I was able to make a clear decision about a universal life insurance policy which offered little gain and was a financial burden. I cashed in that policy paid off $5,000 of credit card debt and saved myself a monthly premium of $165.

As I move forward, I will continue to apply the things that I have learned through the TDIW program. My immediate goal is to find another source of income so that I can be out of debt in four years or less and begin to build wealth so I can enjoy a debt free retirement. My business goals are to settle the obstacles that are currently pressing, and move ahead with a marketing strategy which will help to grow the business by 30% in the next four years

Nick & Maria C.
Rutherford, NJ

We’ve Developed a More Positive Attitude about Our Financial Future

What first attracted us to the system was the fact that you could get out of debt using your existing income. Since beginning the program, we've developed a more positive attitude about our financial future and feel that there is a definite 'light at the end of the tunnel'. It's exciting to know that we are working hard to get out of debt and will be able to pay off all of our debt, including our mortgage, many years earlier than we ever thought we could have.

Since starting the program, we have learned to track our expenses closer, and we now are using the 'spending compass' on a consistent basis. We got through Christmas this year without having to dread paying off Christmas bills in January because we didn't overspend on gifts in December. We sold some baseball cards and added the profit from these to our accelerator margin. We transferred our high-interest credit card debt to another credit card with a 0% APR for over a year, freeing up the interest we were paying each month to now be added to our accelerator margin to get us out of debt ever faster. We are also in the process of doing some adjustments to our W2s and 457 plans in order to free up even more money to add to our accelerator margin. We also make use of coupons, and we recycle and put whatever money we get from recycling into our accelerator margin.

Some of our personal short-term goals are to sell some of our many very nice collectible items on Ebay and add the profit of these items into our accelerator margin and to keep brainstorming ways to 'trim the fat' in our budget.

We greatly appreciate all the help and ideas you have given us to help us achieve debt freedom, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the future to achieve this goal.

Julie & Kurt K.
Corona, CA

Taking this Course Has Made All the Difference

I have gained some very important knowledge and abilities since I have been studying the TDIW system in the past three months with my personal coach. Also, I have developed some new ways of looking at and estimating my own personal finances. I have been able to establish some important goals for achieving personal financial independence along with some specific ways to accomplish this. My ideas and attitudes toward my finances have become changed. I now feel more realistic and confident about them.

Briefly, I have learned to keep track of my spending in a very systematic and detailed way in the Expense Tracker form on my computer. This has been helpful for me so that I can keep track and be aware of how much and for what purpose I am spending my money. This has been helpful and has provided me a way to keep a much better control and watch over my spending. Also with the Prosper Financial Scorecard, I have been able to find out and record my assets and liabilities in order to estimate my net worth. Also, I have learned about the concepts of cash flow and debt elimination and how they are related to net worth also. I am learning the “business sense” side of life, something very important.

I have also learned about some new ways of gaining income from investing in real estate and from the stock market. I have learned a lot but I know there is still a great wealth of information that is waiting for me in the Prosper Learning Success Center on these subjects. My debt-free date according to TDIW chart will occur in April, 2014. From this time on it means that I could be saving everything that I was spending on the funds that I was using to pay off all my debts. Of course it could come sooner if and when I become proficient at investing in the Stock Market and other ways of earning income from home-based businesses. Since I am just beginning that portion of the Prosper Learning course, I believe that this will be that I will be successful.

All in all, I feel like I have accomplished a great deal with regards to my personal financial goals and my future so far. Taking the course has made all the difference.

Gilbert S.
Melvindale, MI

I Can’t Remember a Time When You Weren’t Able to Answer a Question

I was very pleased with the way you led me through the Transforming Debt into Wealth course. I'm a slow learner and a real Dummy when it comes to finances. I never kept a budget or knew how to. Now I feel like I have more control on where our money is going and where we need to cut back on our spending. I know it was difficult for you to show me how the system is supposed to work with our boss holding back on our paychecks as long as 4 weeks sometimes, but we made it through anyway.

Now that I have my debts in order on my debt free chart and my accelerator margin in place I should be on my way to financial freedom.  I'm looking forward to my new coach and the e-commerce course.  Thank you for all your help and patience with me and I think you’re a very good coach and very knowledgeable in your teaching. I can't remember one time that you weren't able to answer any question I came up with.

Thanks again for your help!

James H.
New Port Richey, FL

We Have Both Made Better Choices on What We Need

We joined the debt elimination program to get back on track with our finances, the path we where taking was leading us away from our ultimate goal of being debt free. We have learned through working with you and TDIW the negative life style we where leading. We learned that it is not feasible to live like the Jones and most of the time the Jones where living a lie and are in debt too.

As far as the cash flow chart and debt elimination program, we have successfully found ways to save money to add to our acceleration margin. We have curbed our spending habits by re-evaluating our needs and wants. For instance, we wanted more satellite programs, but we honestly didn't need them. So we go rid of the packages we didn't need and just kept the basic program, in turn we saved over $50 a month. We also decided that our 401K was going to have to be put on hold for awhile, so the money we contributed towards that each month is now focused on our accelerator margin and our 401K is going to have to work for itself by compounding the interest it gains without adding any new funds to it at this time.  At this time we don't have a date in mind of being debt free, but it is closer to 10 years then 20.

By doing this program together, it helped us realize and be more conscience of our spending habits when we go shopping for food, personal items, household expenses etc. We have both made better choices in what we need as opposed to what we want. We are not contributing to our 401K right now, but that doesn't mean we won't in the future, we just have to ear tag that money for something else at this time.

Jocelyn S.
Edgar, WI

The Coaching Program Has Given Me Tools to Achieve My Goals

My financial plan before joining the coaching program was that I never had a plan. I just lived paycheck to paycheck and charged whatever I thought was necessary. I've learned to live on cash only which is extremely hard because I've never done that before. This is the first time I've decided to live on a cash only basis. It has been a real eye opener to see where my money has been going. My main goals are for right now to learn how to control my spending and learn how to make my money go farther.

The coaching program has given me tools to achieve my goals and keep me from getting too frustrated when I don't see progress that I expect. I realize it takes time but so far it has helped me instill in my children that we need to do things differently as far as spending goes, because this is also new to them. I continually keep a journal of my spending and I try not to spend foolishly. It's early in the coaching program, but I feel good where I am at.

Kevin H.
Jamesville, WI

I Have Already Paid Off Half of My Credit Cards

My name is Michele.  I am a 45 year old divorced mother of a 14 year old boy. I, like most Americans, live pay check to pay check, trying to make ends meet. I do own a home that I refinanced several times to consolidate debt.

I came to a stop and was evaluating my situation and felt that if I didn't do something eventually it would all catch up to me. I actually felt very stressed always worrying about money. One day after work I was driving to my son's soccer game and heard John Cummuta's Transforming Debt Into Wealth program on the radio so I called the number and spoke with the rep, who was very nice. We talked for at least 1/2 hour and decided okay what do I have to lose by purchasing this program. I was already in debt so what was another $225 or so on my credit card?

I received the program and was so busy that I didn't even have time to review it. After a few weeks I received a phone call from Prosper Learning and spoke with very pleasant man. Everything he said made sense.

Well, I am half way there to being debt free of my credit cards. I am hoping to have them all paid off by the end of this year. Then I can start chipping away at my mortgage. I am still currently adding to my Roth account because it is the only source of retirement that I will have because my employer does not offer any type of 401k.

I feel alot of stress lifted off my shoulders because when you have so much debt it really weighs you down. I am going to continue using the tools that are available to me through Prosper Learning for the next year. I have read The Millionaire Next Door and now I am read Start Late, Finish Rich. I am trying to learn all I can to make my life easier. I just wish that I had started 20 years ago.

I am definitely going to teach my son the right way to use credit. I opened a savings account for him four years ago which he adds from birthday money or Christmas or even little odd jobs. When he sees how quickly the money adds up he gets excited. My coach was great!

Michelle D.
Worcester, MA

I Have Paid Off $39K of My Debt So Far

I wanted to express my gratitude to you for your professional guidance throughout the TDIW Program.  As you know, before I began the program, I was in a position where I truly questioned whether my next step would be to declare bankruptcy. I had an immense credit card debt with a diminishing credit rating and skyrocketing interest rates. I really was in a place I don't ever want to revisit.

From the outset, the program's focus on my spending made me nauseous with the realization that every time I had used a credit card I had compromised my future...not just a little but severely. This made cutting up my credit cards very easy, actually enjoyable.

I have found that the daily, weekly and monthly tracking of my spending has become a habit. My debt free date is currently February 2015 but through careful budgeting, reducing my credit card interest rates, and becoming knowledgeable of currency trading I am dedicated to 'accelerating' that date.

I would not have come anywhere near where I am today without your guidance, John. Your ability to listen and structure the program to most help me has been invaluable…and your being there made me want to complete the assignments.

Though I am near retirement age, I never thought I'd be able to slow down. This has been a life altering experience for me because I can actually see a brightening glimmer in the distance. I may actually achieve a slower pace if I follow the tools provided to me (it will be an ongoing review of the materials for me).

It's a brilliant program. I'm looking forward to building wealth although I already have considerably more wealth of determination and confidence to achieve.  Again, thank you for everything.

Mike P.
Souther Pines, NC

We Feel Very Successful in Our Journey to Becoming Debt Free

Before we began The Prosper Learning Classes, we were in a state of worry and concern about how we were going to get out of debt and start saving more for our future. We are not impulse buyers and our attitude and philosophy about life is much like the millionaire mentality. Hal did contribute to a 401 K with his company and we did have some investments, but we were not contributing to them. I was always a coupon queen at the grocery store. I always cut and organized coupons for restaurants, clothing stores, etc. However, due to a lack of education regarding money issues and some financial pitfalls in business, we used credit cards and had a hard time recovering from this. The stress of having this debt over our heads caused some arguing between us and we knew we needed to do something.

One day in September, Hal was driving in his car and heard John Cummuta’s commercial on the radio. He heard it a few more times until he made the decision to order the tapes. Usually we make most spending decisions as a team, but this time Hal decided to be proactive hoping that I would be on board. When we received the phone call from Prosper Learning, we were curious as to how this was all going to work. After listening to the man on the phone talk about the expenditure compass and about credit cards, etc, we knew that this all made sense and this course could set us on the right path. We were very nervous about the cost of the course, but knew that if we stayed focus and were dedicated to make this work for us, then this was definitely a northern expenditure.

In October of 2007, we began the journey to be debt free and have not used a credit card for purchases. We have stayed on course reading all the material and listening to John Cummuta’s tapes. We set our accelerated margin to $150.00 and hope to make this number go up next month. Everyday we document our expenditures on the spreadsheet. We called USAA, our insurance company and after evaluating our coverage, we actually lowered our premium by $104 a year while raising our home coverage. Hal called our internet provider and found out he could lower our bill $5 every month for 6 months. He was informed by the company to call back in February for other promotions to lower our monthly bill. We called for our credit score and it was 762 which is above average for the nation. Hal has continued to contribute 9% to his 401 K and his company contributes 5%.

We have gained knowledge about our current investments by using Morningstar.com. The whole family was saving for a large TV and coincidentally a friend of ours was selling a 40 inch TV plus stand for $200.00. We used gift cards that Hal won in a company contest and so we did not have to use our money that was saved to purchase this TV. After reading “The Secret”, we put up a sign on the mirror that we are going to visualize everyday that we will earn an extra $30,000 extra income for fiscal year 2008. We have been very committed to working at least 3 hours a week on Prosper Learning. A neighbor was giving away some old audio tapes that happened to be about transformation “You’ll See it When You Believe It” by Dr. Wayne Dyer. It ties into the belief that we can visualize our destiny. I have listened to all 12 tapes. We feel very successful in our journey to becoming debt free and independently wealthy.

Paula F.
Alpharetta, GA

Students Make Sacrifices to Change Their Finances for the Better

Before my wife and I started the program we were spending more than we were bringing home mostly because we were living on credit cards making the minimum payments. I knew we were in trouble and needed to do something but was not sure where to go. I heard commercials and saw the Transforming Debt into Wealth program on the internet so I made the call.

Right now we are actually bringing home more than we are spending. It took a few sacrifices but we thought it would be much worse. Following the program without any changes we will have all credit cards and car payments paid off in 5 years and the mortgage in 12 years 8 months and saved $130,985.00.

Rahnold W.
Modesto, CA

I've Learned New Things About My Annual Credit Report

Through the coaching program, I learned a number of new things about my annual credit report (I ordered all 3 at once last May, but learned from the reading that I should order just one at a time, spaced throughout the year)--how to understand it better, how to address any errors, etc.  I also realize that I’m a lot better off than all those people who carry credit card debt since I've never carried any finance-charge credit card debt and have no plans to start.

I'm much more familiar with the positives and negatives of various streams of income-However, just as I get excited that I might be interested in pursuing one of those streams, I get yanked back into reality about the pitfalls. My insight is that I need to think much more carefully about any of this before jumping in.  In the time since I started, I have made changes to childcare expenses and various Latte Factors--Netflix subscription, Prevention Magazine, Reader's Digest, and Kiplinger Finance magazine subscriptions, and the extra principal payments I make to my second mortgage.

I should now save about $150-200/month...I've also recognized the expense tracker had made me much more aware at how much money I pay into my home.  My future goals is to have an emergency fund goal which is about $6K. I also have $1k placed on the side.  I also want to get settled on a new and effective financial advisor with whom I can finally establish a financial plan to give me a roadmap for my current and future investments.  I also plan to continue reading a plethora of finance books, complete coaching assignments, and make time to listen to the archived audio sessions.

I will also continue keeping track of my expenses beyond what I was originally assigned. I intend to do this for an entire year at a minimum to get an overall view of where I spend money throughout the year.

Ria de G.
Davis, CA

Much Thanks to You and the Program for Encouragement and Direction

When we first looked at programs to help us get a handle on our 'out of control' financial situation.  There were issues that were beyond our control and there were things that we just plain didn't do right.  We have been married since our teen years (16 and 17 yrs old), with the typical circumstances of having a baby on the way, and having absolutely no clue about real life, but we were determined to make it.

We started searching for solutions and part time jobs...though we knew we were both too worn out to really manage taking on actual second jobs in the workforce!  We heard John Cummuta's ad about TDIW, in conjunction with trying out other programs online.  Anita sent for the information, since it claimed 'no obligation' and that was the turning point for us....

The journey is just beginning, really, though we've been working the program now with you for 8 weeks.  We are starting to get things in line for what we need to do to begin the wealth building portion, but we are still in the midst of the re-alignment of our resources, so we haven't gotten there yet!  You have been a tremendous asset to us, and we appreciate your patience and steadfast attitude towards our whiny moments. Thanks for the support and the confidence you show us.

We've accomplished much during this period with you. We read through and implemented much of the ideas and concepts of the suggested reading, and listening, as well as attending several webinar-type sessions and archives...lots to absorb and implement. We have a determination to move forward and succeed, much thanks to you and the program for the encouragement and direction.

Terry & Anita T.
Sunnyvale, CA

Financial Student Learns a Great Lesson About Life Insurance

My experience so far with Prosper was fraught with emotional upheaval, and all for the good.  I've dissected my financial habits and found tendencies more Frankenstein than Buckstein. I discovered the past wasn't set in stone, and I've started to remake my future.

Thanks to a series of excellent coaches, I learned how to get out of debt, start mapping my retirement with my IRAs and 401K, interpret my mutual fund portfolio, pay myself first and Uncle Sam second...Just to name a few of the lessons. A major lesson came in a revelation about life insurance (I'm still working to correct that one.)

Again, it's all been good. As I overcome each obstacle, my confidence climbs another notch.  It bothers me that I can't correct everything overnight, but then, it took me years to get here...

At this point, I wonder if I shouldn't pursue two tracks at once--Infoprenuering and Ebay. While I thought the danger was over, I've learned in the past few weeks that my company is still laying people off. I'd like to think of myself as safe, but I'd like to build a second income base...and quickly!

More upheaval, but at least I'm aware, and hopefully prepared.  If the worst doesn't happen and I'm able to continue on the course set by Prosper, I may well be debt-free in seven years and a month, and perhaps earlier--more than 15 years ahead of time.

Caryl B.
Denver, CO

Greetings From an 82 Year Old Grandmother!

Greetings from an 82 year old grandmother who lives in a very exciting community in the foothills of the Ozarks. I taught secretarial science in high school for 19 years and, after getting a Masters Degree from Indiana University, taught in a community college for 23 years. After retiring, I did volunteer work but needed something more stimulating. I took a course which I thought would help me start a business of my own. This did not work out because one business I chose had the lowest rank given by the BBB and the other business turned out to be a scam. From 6/23/06 to 9/18/06, I spent $11,855 on setting up six websites and on advertising, only to find out that the government closed the business and put the owners in prison. They had been taking money for advertising but doing nothing for the business. I put all these business expenses on 0% credit cards.

I have always wanted a business and invested in many, but all of them have been failures. I especially wanted a business at this time. I have rental property, and many of my renters need financial help. Also, my grandson is having trouble paying his college tuition loans. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I had the money to help these people?

I needed a business! I thought having an internet business would be ideal. It doesn’t take much money to set up a website, and many website businesses do the selling and handle the products, so all you have to do is advertise. I invested in several businesses and continued putting all the business expenses on 0% credit cards. I paid off each card before the 0% interest expired or transferred it to another 0% card. However, on December 12, 2007, I still had a debt of $13,458. That’s when I heard John Cummuta saying, “Turn your debt into wealth,” and contacted him immediately. I thought I could pay off my credit cards and then find help in getting a home business. By reading the manuals they provided and, with the help of my very patient coach, I set up a plan to pay off my credit cards. Of course, I have the additional expense of my tuition at Prosper, but I expect to pay off the whole amount of debt by December, 2008. If I don’t have to pay much income tax in April, I have another plan to pay my debts by October. Thank you John Cummuta and Prosper. I am now looking forward to the wealth building sessions with my next coach.

Mary Jane J.
Farmington, MO

Student Is Already Down $10K in Debt

Prior to entering the coaching program, I would pay my credit cards down to almost paid off then go off on a spending spree and run them back up again.  When I entered the coaching program I was in debt over $135K with a net worth of about $50K.

Since starting the coaching program I am down to less than $125K of debt most of which is my house.  I am on track to have my final credit card paid off this year and the house is projected to be paid off in 4.5 years.  My 401K investments went from just over $80K ending the year at over $130K.  I have set goals to complete no less than 3 and hopefully 4 online courses this year toward new certifications in my field of work.

By learning how to track, analyze and control my spending habits I am less stressed out about the economy and the possibility of employment loss and am able to enjoy myself more. The Financial Success program is a continuing education process, as you complete one goal you set another higher goal and learn newer ways to make these goals happen.

James P.
Pelham, AL

We Found $600 for Our Accumulation Fund

It may seem premature to declare our success story since we are just newly immersed TDIW fans. I would say that our first success was to come to grips with our financial situation and put down in black and white where we stood financially. I will never forget the look on Lisa’s face when she saw the amount of debt we had wracked up in 30 years of marriage and raising two children.

Our journey began while we were driving to California to see our children. We were in the middle of Utah listening to XM radio when a commercial came on that caught our attention. Lisa called the number from her cell phone and in no time we were being sent material that would truly change our lives.

We felt that we needed more help than just the manuals. We needed coaching and all these years we were too proud to admit that we were terrible money managers. I came to the realization that even the best baseball hitters and fielders need coaches to improve and hone their skills so why not the Flinn’s.

Our main objective was to pay off our mortgage before we retired. When we looked further and put a pen to it we found that with help and guidance we could not only do this in significantly less time but could be debt free in 6 years and 2 months. Our debt free date is May 2014. Almost 30 years sooner than if we did it the “old way”.

By keeping the “spending report” we have been able to see where in our first month we were negatively cash flowing at a clip of 20% of our income. Month 2 we have cut this to about 7% and we now have about another month to be for sure even or positively cash flowing. We were able to identify areas to save and find $600 to set aside for our Accumulation Fund. Our personal short-term goal is to hone our skills using the tools from TDIW and use these forever to stay on top of our money. We both have taken to bringing our lunches at work and eating at home. Eating out is now a rarity. We also have become conservers of energy and fuel making only necessary trips. When grocery shopping we purchase debit cards with a set amount loaded on the card so we can control our grocery spending.

I will admit our first and second Coaching sessions were a bit stressful. Bearing your financial soul to someone else is a bit humbling but it is good to have gotten it off of our chests and gives you a freed spirit. I want to end by saying that we are well on our way to developing a debt free living mindset and habit. My goal is to pass this on to our children so they know these principles and will experience the freedom of living in cash only future.

Jack & Elizabeth F.
Sioux Falls, SD

My Coach Has Taught Me an Investment Strategy to Ensure Financial Freedom

In the autumn of 2007, I was in debt to the tune of six figures, using a self-taught strategy, to reduce my debt burden.

One evening while driving home, I heard a commercial on the radio regarding debt freedom in 7 to 8 years. I wrote down the phone number and subsequently became involved in the program.

In the past five months that I have been in the program, my personal coach has taught me, how to reduce and eliminate my personal debt in 8 years, develop an investment strategy to insure my financial freedom for the future and to formulate and implement a business that will accelerate my financial freedom. My goal is to be debt free by the year 2015.

None of this, I feel would have been possible if I had not acted on the John Cummuta radio commercial. The skills and discipline this program has taught me has been invaluable. I have taught my mother, my two sons’ and even my ex-wife the principles and strategies of the program.

In the short time that I have been involved in the program, using a modest $150.00 accelerator fund, I have paid off several obligations. In doing so, I have been able to increase my accelerator fund to $250.00. Within the next three months, that fund will increase to $300.00.

Thanks Mr. Cummuta for developing a strategy for us Baby Boomers.

Barry L.
Mesa, AZ

We Have Saved $75 per Month

Since we’ve enrolled in the coaching course, we’ve been able to focus on our future dreams and take action to make them a reality. We had a habit of purchasing on a whim (specifically, going out to eat and entertainment). We have set up a max allowance for monthly dining out and used the extra funds ($100 a month) to accelerate our credit card payments.

All in all right now we are using a $550 as an accelerator to pay off my credit card. The card will be paid in full on 2/14/08. At this point we will have an accelerator amount of $710.00 that will be applied to Lisa’s car payment per month. This will put a total of $1169.00 per month payment. This has her car being paid off in 8 months. The plan is to continue this path and be able to use the $1169.00 as an accelerator on my truck payment.

The course has also provided us with the information needed to decide to open our own business. We are taking the necessary steps in researching our business plan, researching financing and set the ball in motion to make our dream a reality.

Most of all we needed a kick in the butt to get us motivated. The course has also opened an avenue of income from starting my own business to getting interested in investing into stocks. There is still much I need to learn about the stock market.

Another aspect the coaching system has taught me is just how much interest rates can effect my monthly payments along with the total interest paid over the course of the loan. I have always been cognizant of what interest I was paying but needed to sharpen my skills of utilizing the power of money leverage.

Lisa K.
Torrington, CT

I Have Increased My Taxable Deductions

In November of 2007, I became painfully aware that I was having great difficulty with my finances. I was living well beyond my paychecks and was charging daily living expenses on my credit card. It was then that I decided to obtain financial help from a professional.

Let me start at the beginning--having been a single parent for most of my daughter’s life, I have played the game of robbing Peter to pay Paul for many years. In March of 2005 (four months after I purchased a new home), I was laid off from my job of 15.5 years and although I received a very generous compensation package, it took me seven months to find a full time job with a salary close to what I had previously made. In the seven months before I landed this job, I worked for the public school board and my entire salary went toward daily living expenses. My compensation package was used exclusively toward my mortgage. I have never fully recovered financially from this struggle.

It is important for me to be a healthy role model for my daughter. I want to show her that as important as financial freedom is, the freedom that it will allow me with my time is much more valuable. I would also like to be in a situation to be able to pay her college tuition.

Within my first week of coaching I could see the light at the end of my tunnel and had a plan in place for paying down my debt and eventually being able to invest my money and make it work for me. Using the Personal Financial Scorecard has helped me to see what I actually spend each month and has given me ideas of where I can cut back. I have increased my taxable deductions and decreased my 401K contribution so that I have additional income to pay toward my debt.

Tina P.
Baltimore, MD

We Can Retire Debt Free—What a Relief!

When I first called for the TDIW system we were heavily in debt and did not know where to turn. We had been living from paycheck to paycheck for a while and were real tired of it. We wanted to retire early but had no plan to get there. With a small savings and more money going out then coming in, retirement was a pipe dream for us. My biggest fear was being a Wal-Mart greeter. Not that that is a bad thing it’s just not how I envisioned my retirement years to be.

After talking with our coach and looking at our finances, we were able to see how much wasted money was actually going out, versus what was coming in. With the development of a plan with the help of our coach we began to see where we could actually retire and to do it debt free. What a relief. No longer were we under the mindset that we would have to retire way into our seventies because that’s how long we had left on our mortgage payments.

After careful evaluation, we have decided to change the way we utilize our money. We have stopped eating out every weekend and are having more home cooked meals. All the unnecessary spending habits we have had we have worked hard to curtail them. We keep being debt free in the fore front of our lives. We remember the dream we have of living debt free and being able to retire early as well as enjoy great family vacations.

After implementing the TDIW plan we can expect to be debt free in twenty-two years, one month. That will be a savings of $449,480.  If the money we spent every month ($6848) was invested at 10% interest, our retirement account balance would have been $6,588,576. That would be a monthly income $54,905 per month. That would be enough for anyone to retire on comfortably and be able to enjoy great family vacations for the rest of our lives.

WOW!!

Angela T.
Hacienda Heights, CA

I Have Eliminated $1967 in Debt Since October

In October 2007 I purchased the program TDIW. At that time my finances situation was to the point that on a biweekly basis I did not have an income to keep our heads above water. At that time we were negative $600.00 in debt each month. I was searching for a way to do something about my situation.

After having the program for a month on my own and studying the forms and information on the CD's; I felt like this program could help me achieve a way out of debt. In December 2007 I began my first coaching session. It took about 2 and half weeks of work on my part to see that I had a negative cash flow on paper. I sat down with my family and explain to them that my intents were to get out of debt using the program. I explain to them that from time to time that this would have periods of ' tough love'. As to saying no when I would normally said yes with out looking at the finances side of it first.

Personally since October 2007 I have eliminated a total of $1967.18, there by increasing a monthly income of $527.00. That would have been going out otherwise on debt. We have also starting using a written grocery list, coupons, store name brands and discounted grocery store for shopping. We have printed off coupons from the internet. We are in constant search for ways to save while spending our spending.

In February 2008 our plan is to pay off $10,264.73 in debt with tax return money. This would free up $567.34. This will changed are accelerated payment of $50.00 to $209.00. We will move up 1 year and months to be debt eliminated. With the program set at hyper-elimination, debt freeing 2017. My personal short term goal is to pay off debt faster than what the program has laid out, so that I can start building a retirement fund other than what my employment has and small investment have done for me.

PROGRESSING MOVING FORWARD.

Michael & Greta T.
Penn Laird, VA

We Have Already Paid Off $12K

We started out with a huge debt—over 60,000 plus a $300,000 mortgage. This debt level snuck up on us, and we weren't really aware of what was going on, until one day we realized we were in a lot of trouble.

After two months, we have definitely learned a lot about debt reduction, and already have been able to get rid of $12,000, through different resources we had and ideas and things that we that we discussed and learned with our coach.

While we still have a long way to go, we have a goal and are able to see how we can get out from under this crushing amount of debt.

We are learning how to live within our means and not use credit, but just use cash, and we have discovered it really isn't that hard!  We don't need to eat out all of the time; we don't need to buy everything we see. We have learned we don't need those things anyway, and have learned that if we wait a couple days before we actually buy something that we had seen that we thought we just had to have, that not only do we not want it then, but often we can't even remember what it was we just had to have.

It has been very exciting to have these successes already, as well as envision how in just 2 years all our debt, except the mortgage will be gone. Then, after a total of only just more that 7 1/2 years all our debt will be gone, and our money will be ours. We can then start building our wealth and retirement.

Doug & Martha M.
McKinney, TX

We Will Pay Off Our Car Two Years Ahead of Schedule

Like many people, we lived on credit. We paid our bills on time and had excellent credit. Too good, in fact. Everyone wanted to give us a credit card. We thought we were doing things right until we listened to John’s tape. We soon realized that if we kept going as we were we could not afford to retire. That was our driving goal in starting the program.

With the information in the program and the support of our coach, we started to see that this could actually work. We will pay off our car in two months, two years ahead of schedule, and we will be debt free in time to retire.

We knew the plan would work and our coach kept us on track, reinforcing the basics of John’s program. We are so grateful we found this program and have shared the information with our children and friends.

Doug & Peggy H.
Rialto, California

Anyone Can Do this at Any Income Level!

We have been in the program for just over 2 months. We went from an accelerator margin of hit and miss to one of $450.00 per month. We will be debt free in just over 4 years!

This may seem like a long time, but in comparison to not knowing or even being able to conceive of being debt free and now having a plan and a date of when we will be debt free is very empowering!

There is no quick fixes or gimmicks, just principles that work. Anyone can do this at any income level.

The coaching really helps to solidify the principles, provide encouragement and the all-important accountability that is so important, especially early on. Our coach really cares about our success. The best part for us is that we now know that long after the coaching sessions are done, we can carry on with the plan and still succeed. These lessons learned are life changing and long lasting which is what real change is all about. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made!

Mary-Elizabeth C.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

We Can Now Talk About Finances without Blaming Each Other

We joined the program because we both felt that we were at the end of the road financially and that if we didn’t do something quick, we would lose everything. Chris had heard of John Cummuta before and felt that he had a very respectable reputation and that if anyone could help us, he could. Our life was extremely stressful, mostly for me because there was so much secrecy about our finances that we didn’t discuss with each other. Both of us were afraid to discuss the situation with other person because it was so bad. I would lay awake night after night wondering how I could sit down and tell Chris how bad things really were. Both of us were so stressed that we were worried about our health. The biggest change I wanted to see in our life was communication. Being able to talk straight about finances without blaming each other. I also needed to have Chris get involved with the bill paying so that he could see how hard it was each month to make ends meet.

What I have learned so far with regard to cash flow management and debt elimination is first of all this will take a long time. You have to be committed for the long haul and know that this is a life style change, not just a temporary fix. The main thing I have learned about cash flow management is that we have none. What little is left over each month is up for grabs. Whatever is the most pressing gets taken care of. I have learned that even the smallest expenditures need to be scrutinized. Rarely do I buy even a soda and sandwich without asking myself is there a real need for this.

Personally, I have become accountable for my share of this problem and it is partially up to me to make sure it works. The biggest achievement is that we have managed to make ends meet now for two months and we have eliminated one debt. That may be small, but I feel very good about this small achievement. Also I think Chris and I communicate better about finances and try to sling mud at the other when things are very positive.

Our debt free date is February 2020.  The biggest change right now is in our spending. Even though we are in the Christmas Season we are doing things very differently. Even though we are probably spending more money than we should, we haven’t done impulsive spending that we usually do. Also I scrutinize every dime I spend. I might go ahead and make the purchase, but the difference is the mindset that every expense needs to be well thought out.

My short term goals are to stay working and possibly get more hours. The other goal is to take this newfound way we look at money and make a comfortable lifestyle. I want to have the attitude that we are not poor, but just discriminating the way we spend. I would like to have an abundant attitude and attract more lucrative business ventures into my life.

Chris & Mary D.
East Falmouth, MA

I’ve Paid Off Two Credit Cards Since I Started My Coaching Program

Our goals are to become financially independent by becoming totally debt free in 5 years. I will continue to use the tools that I'm equipped with through this program to help me track my expenses and pay down my debt each month. I want to be able to be completely free from credit card debt and loans. My DOLP factor is $500 a month. Once one debt is paid I'll have more money to paid down another debt. I've paid off two credit cards since I started my coaching program.

I’ve gained an understanding of what building wealth means to me and my goals to obtain financial freedom is to build wealth through a variety of investments such as 401K, stocks and real estate.

Loveleen C.
Mountain House, CA

I’m Ready for the Journey!

When I began this program I was quite desperate for some help since I made the first contact in the middle of December. I knew I was spending way too much money on Christmas presents; I was angry since I had to use my charge card to pay for a root canal and crown and I was frustrated because I am an educated person who makes good money and pays herself first, yet every month I ended up taking money from my savings just to get by. I was the person who always picked up the check at dinner, always bought the biggest and best gift, always left a huge tip and always gave money to my family - even when I didn't have it. I was a people-pleaser who never said 'no.' Everyone thought I was happy and carefree since that is the picture I presented to my family and friends, but inside I was scared and worried since retirement was 10 years away and I knew that something had to change. Needless to say there were many sleepless nights.

What I have learned so far: to answer that question you have to think back to the movie 'The Wizard of Oz.' at the end of the movie, Dorothy is very upset when the wizard takes off in the hot air balloon without her. Dorothy does not know how she will ever get back to Kansas. Glenda, the good witch, shows up and tells Dorothy that she always had the power to go home. That's what you have done for me...you Darren...are the good witch who has shown me that I have always had the power to be financially secure. I didn't know it at the time. I would always tell people that I am a 'language' person and numbers just confuse me. Well, I can now say that I am learning how to live and finish rich because I am in charge of my finances....and that feels really good! To be more specific - here are some things I have learned so far....it is better to pay with cash - I don't need a lot of cable channels to be happy - I continue to pay myself first - It is really nice to have money at the end of the month - TARGET was my latte factor and it has been a lot easier to give up than I thought - All of my financial papers are in order and in one place so if anything were to happen to me, my family would know exactly what to do - The spending compass has helped me determine if something is a want or a need - I now know where my money is in regards to stocks and bonds and finally - since I know this is so important to you - I need to buy a house since homeowners are wealthier than renters.

The DOLP Factor should be taught to every middle school child around. As much as I hate having debt, completing the DOLP factor has shown me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. By June 1st I will only owe money on my Discover Card and Learning Advantage. I plan on transferring the debt from Learning Advantage to a 0% interest card. Then it will only take me 14 months to pay it off. The Discover card will be paid off before the 0% expires in Sept. And then I can go ahead and begin investing all of the money that I have used to pay off debt. Not too shabby.

I need to find some more money to put aside for my emergency fund and for purchasing my hou