“My credit check disappointed me…the truth is, my scores brought me to tears! I am so tired of struggling and fighting debt collectors and living on cash and having everything seem to be affected by credit scores.”

For Jamie Bowers, Missoula, MT, one credit check moved her to take action. In turn, Jamie moved her husband to join her in what she termed a “Life Overhaul.” I LOVE it!

When Jamie contacted me about my videos and book The Busy Person’s Credit Makeover at Repair Credit Fast, she expressed concern about more than credit issues.

According to Jamie, they made good money but they never had any money. They had grown reliant on payday loans to tie them over from payday to payday…and they hated it.

Jamie also hated her “out-of-control spending at the mall” and her husband and she hated that he smoked.

They were ready, I could tell…yet, I listened until Jamie drew quiet and apologized for rambling. It wasn’t rambling; it was essential. And then she asked me for advice.

“Both of you are ready for The 30-Day Challenge, Jamie.” With little explanation, she accepted.

To you, I must say: If you are afraid of a little work and change, then this “challenge” is not for you. It doesn’t matter what success Jamie and her husband experienced during the challenge…people afraid of change need not apply.

People afraid of change and commitment will think of and see loss, not gain. Click “read more” at your own risk…and don’t say I didn’t warn you.

LET THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE BEGIN….

Jamie & her husband used my “life” chart (I hate the word “budget”) to list all expenses & income.

Surprisingly, Jamie and her husband could not account for $1,000s of dollars (this is quite normal).

For 30 days, Jamie & her husband each used a little flip pad to track every penny spent…every penny!

According to Jamie, this “total life makeover” began out of desperation but succeeded due to teamwork and commitment between her husband and her. They wanted to change. They didn’t fight it.

Are you ready to discover just how SUCCESSFUL they really were during this challenge?

Of course you are. This is amazing, yet Jamie describes this simply as “part 1″ of their makeover. Part 1? You mean there’s more?

Jamie and her husband found a quick $7,225.00 with little sacrifice (according to Jamie):

  1. We made our own “designer” coffee. Jamie used to get a Mocha at the local big-name coffee shop every day at a cost of about $4 a shot. Many times a week, her husband would join her x 2. Now they make their own coffee and still meet at the coffee shop. Annual savings: about $1,000.
  2. We cut the expensive fast/restaurant food. Five days a week, both Jamie and her husband ate out at a cost of $12 per lunch (x2). Together, they decided to eat healthier by taking their lunch. Taking their lunch each day (x2) would cost less than $5/day for both of them. Annual savings: about $1800.
  3. I cut back on the shopping. Jamie loved to shop. Instead of going to the mall after work and on weekends, Jamie and her daughter now find other ways to “hang out” together. Jamie also did something very clever. In her massive closet, she organized all her clothes, putting almost everything on hangers. She turned every single hanger with the hook open to her (instead of the open end toward the wall). When she wears something hung up, she returns the article of clothing to the closet with hanger pointing in the the normal direction. Clothes not worn in 60 days (not including seasonal clothing) go to Goodwill. Annual savings just from reducing the shopping: Annual savings: around $2,600.
  4. My husband quit smoking. Jamie’s husband chose to quit smoking. At a pack a day plus a soda, tea or coffee, they estimated they’d save around $5.00 per day. Annual savings: $1,825

$7,225 without losing any quality of life.

Jamie’s husband had wanted to quit smoking. Both of them wanted to live a more healthy life…not just for their kids but for themselves.

Both had wanted to improve their credit, create an emergency (rainy day) fund & pay off some debt.
Nine months ago, Jamie and I discussed a plan of attack for improving their credit and launching the 30-day challenge. She bought my videos and book, The Busy Person’s Credit Makeover, and disappeared.

Three months ago, Jamie’s update by email came out of nowhere…pleasantly came out of nowhere.
There’s more to Jamie and her husband’s incredible MAKEOVER!

After just SIX months…just six months, Jamie proudly informed me they had exceeded their expectations…financially, emotionally & physically:

  1. Already they had saved 4835.00 by following through on the four commitments listed above.
  2. They slept better at night, resulting from exercise, a proactive plan of attack toward their credit & finances & healthier eating. To me, this goes beyond a $$ amount. This is quality of life…priceless!
  3. Remarkably, they (already) had improved their credit 95 points…adding two good credit accounts and seasoning them (discussed in my book), “goodwilling” one recent 30-day mortgage late (taught in my book) & scoring three deletions (yes, taught as well in the “mining for deletions” section).
  4. Not one payday loan in 6 months! And they didn’t even add the interest and fees saved on payday loans. Wow!

CONGRATULATIONS!

As Jamie states, “My Credit Check Convinced Me To Accept This 30-Day Challenge…And My Life Is Now Very Different!”

For Jamie and her husband, committing to action is what made the difference…in the lives of all family members. As a team, they committed to change. I could not be more proud of them. Change (for most people) is very, very difficult.

Of course, Jamie and her husband deserve big pats on the back. Helluva job well done. Moreso, what do you think this commitment & sacrifice says to their kids? A lesson no book or TV could ever teach. Let me know what you think.

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