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Episode 221 - Financially Hopeless to Hopeful in 5 Months! 

Struggling with finances and feeling alone in your journey? Many of us have been there. Debt can indeed be a tough challenge to navigate. Nevertheless, with the right guidance and mindset shifts, escaping the debt trap is entirely possible. This blog post highlights the inspiring story of Craig Miller, who made remarkable progress in his financial journey in just five months.   

 

Connection to the Financial Journey: 

As Brad starts the conversation with Craig, they hit upon a subject many can resonate with. How many of us have attempted to follow programs or tackle debts, often, it never seems to work out. The reasons for this could range from being unprepared or the absence of something crucial in the program or in our motivations. Craig points out that it was not until he had a change in mindset that he began to experience changes. 

Understanding your finances: 

Brad and Craig, throughout the interview, emphasized understanding one's finances. Craig highlighted a significant turning point for him was when he started auditing his expenses and realized he was spending more than he had estimated on certain categories such as groceries and eating out.   

The Power of Saying NO: 

Another crucial lesson from Craig’s journey is the power of saying "No". He mentions how it's important to set limits, whether it's for oneself or for adult children. Boundaries with finances are just as essential as any other aspect of life. 

Overcoming the Barriers: 

Craig touched upon some barriers faced in his financial journey, one of which was aligning with his wife on financial matters. However, once they got on board together, discussing their realities and goals, they started seeing improvements in their financial situation. 

The Big WIN: 

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the interview is when Craig reveals his updated savings. Within just five months, he saved $3,000 for an emergency fund and paid off $15,645 of his debt, owning two vehicles outright in the process.  

Transforming Attitude Towards Money: 

The interview concludes with Craig sharing the transformation in his perspective towards money and how the journey has been for him. Evolving from a mindset filled with financial worry to a mindset geared towards understanding and controlling money, Craig finally sees a tangible path towards a debt-free future. This mindset shift, in turn, adds more positivity to his overall life, reflecting the central theme of the interview - the profound effect control over your finances can have on the quality of your life.   

Craig's story is an inspiration to anyone mired in the relentless cycle of debt. If you're struggling with this burden, you're not alone. Like Craig, starting at the basics—understanding your financial reality, setting boundaries, and changing your mindset—can create the path you need towards a debt-free future. Remember, it's not about going "scorched earth", but about making steady, consistent progress towards your financial goals. 

Resources Mentioned

Get better results with your finances in 30-60 days - GUARANTEED. Watch this video to learn how! - https://www.debtfreedad.com/payoff-debt-in-60-to-90-days 

Free Tools and Downloads at www.debtfreedad.com

Connect With Brad

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Episode Transcript: 

Brad: [00:00:00] are you feeling tired and hopeless with your finances? Maybe you've attempted to get out of debt, or maybe you even joined a program, read some books to help you, but you found that it really didn't help all that much. If so, you're not alone. That's why I'm thrilled to welcome Craig Miller to the podcast today. 

Brad: Now, Craig felt the exact same way. And he joined roots and check this out. You guys in just five months, he has saved and paid off over 18, 000. Now today, Craig is here to share his story and what changes that he has made to hopefully give you some hope. That you too can start making some of those same changes. 

Brad: Stay tuned. You're listening to the Debt Free Dad podcast with Brad Nelson. Brad and his co hosts experience the anxiety of living paycheck to paycheck before learning the fundamentals of financial success. They are now on a mission to empower regular people to pay off their debt for good and enjoy happier, less stressful lives. 

Brad: Keep listening for [00:01:00] inspirational interviews, tips, tricks, and practical advice to gain financial freedom. Hey, Hey, Hey, how is everyone doing today? My name is Brad Nelson and I will be your host for today's show. I have paid off over 45, 000 of debt. I've been debt free now outside of my mortgage for 11 plus years. 

Brad: And I've also had the amazing privilege to help thousands of other people now save and pay off tens of millions of dollars here with the work that we do here at Debt Free Dad. Now I'm super excited to welcome Craig. 

Craig: Hey, thank you so much. It's great to be here. 

Brad: Yeah. So tell me real quick. I got an, I do have to nerd out a little bit. It's my show. So we're going to talk about this real quick. How, what was Luke Skywalker Mark Hamill? Like, how did you guys work together when you were in your first job? 

Craig: So my first job, I worked for a computer game company in Austin called Origin Systems, and they were pretty pioneering back in the day. They made the games Ultima and Wing Commander was a flying kind of science fiction, uh, space adventure, [00:02:00] but one of the. The games, we actually started to hire actors, um, and Mark Hamill was one of the actors, so I got to meet him, he came over to the job and the set, and he was so gracious, and he signed a whole bunch of autographs for everybody, and I was amazed that I was actually taller than Luke Skywalker, which I thought was kind of cool, but There's really kind of a, you know, a nerdy geek out touch for me because I'm a huge Star Wars fan growing up and it was a unique experience at my very first job coming out of school and it kind of ruined me for all my other jobs in my career since, since I got to meet Luke Skywalker at my very first one. 

Brad: Yeah, that is so cool. So I'm glad you're going to be able to hang out with us here today and share a little bit about your journey. 

Brad: Can you do us a favor? Can you, can you take us back a little bit to life before where you're at today? You know, maybe even as you grew up and started learning about money and as you became a young adult, like what types of things did you, um, learn about money and how did that [00:03:00] play a role into how you managed it as you became an adult? 

Craig: yeah, that's a kind of a loaded question. A great question. I wanted to start off with, but like growing up, my parents, uh, never really talked about money very much, uh, or at all. I just kind of learned by example in terms of what was going on in our household. Like we always had food on the table. There was always like presents for our birthdays. 

Craig: I'm in, I'm a middle child. I have an older brother, younger sister, but we had great birthdays and celebrations and Christmas times. They were all, um, Really joyful occasions. But like when it came to, um, going out as a family and celebrating and going on like big vacations, that just, that didn't happen. 

Craig: That wasn't a part of our vernacular in our household. It was, it was all about, I think my parents mindset was let's, let's make sure the kids are taken care of and they have what they need and then we'll figure everything else out after [00:04:00] that. And I kinda, I kinda took that mindset. As an adult growing up for when I had my kids and what was to become with how I would handle money at that. 

Brad: What kinds of debt did you find yourself getting into? Did you, did you find areas that you struggled with that started causing stress in your life that kind of just seemed like, I know a lot of people that we have in the show talks about, and I do too, it's like this idea of this hamster wheel, you can just never get off of it. 

Brad: Right. Um, did you have any of those types of feelings?  

Craig: Uh, yes, all those, I was, I felt like the original hamster, but I find out that I, I am not, I'm just stuck on that wheel with everybody else. But it kind of all started for me, like. You know, when I was, uh, as an adult growing up and then, you know, when I got my first job, I, you know, that money was just burning in my pocket. 

Craig: I didn't want to save it for anything. I just wanted to get a new car. I wanted to get, you know, new this or new that. And that was just the mindset. And when I got married, we got a house together, did not have. [00:05:00] Barely enough for a down payment. I'm not sure how we actually did that and pulled it off, but that just kind of the started the cycle of, you know, once we were there now, okay, we need to fill up this house with some, you know, pretty decent or nice furniture and fix up the backyard and, and get things ready. 

Craig: And, and that just really kind of took over, uh, the mindset of, you know, from. If you think about it from where I kind of grew up in terms of, we just have enough to do this and get by, I, I guess I always wanted to do more and to prove I could be successful that this is what I needed to do to get there. 

Craig: And that's, that's what I did. 

Brad: Yeah, I was, uh, you, you had submitted some, um, Kind of testimonials that you had, you had done like earlier this year and going through roots. And I know one of the things that you had mentioned in your testimonial is that, uh, you, you had tried some things, you'd taken maybe some different programs or had tried to have tried a few different things. 

Brad: Like what, what didn't work though, when you, when you were doing some of those things, was it, [00:06:00] you just weren't ready or was there some things that were missing or what do you feel? 

Craig: Yeah. Um, what didn't work? I think, well, what didn't work was me and all those other things, all those other tools, they were quite good programs or, or good philosophies. And I, you know, guess I just wasn't ready to embrace it and, and change my mindset and my behavior towards it. Cause you know, I did a lot of things, got into a lot of debt, had some success. 

Craig: Did some debt consolidations, went through some other programs, contemplated bankruptcy. I didn't even really know or grasp what the hell that meant, but I thought maybe this can save me, but it was just not, not being ready to follow through and do the work that was needed to do those. So. I would always have some success, but would fall off and get into more debt or something else, or another emergency came up that really wasn't an emergency, but felt like it was at the time. 

Craig: And it just continued that cycle of being on that hamster [00:07:00] wheel basically. 

Brad: Yeah. Yeah. I can totally resonate with that. I kind of felt. Like through my journey, same thing, you know, uh, there definitely are plenty of resources out there, but it just didn't seem like either one. Number one, I wasn't ready, 

Brad: and I think you do have to be ready. You do have to finally get to the point where. 

Brad: You know, it's almost like you fail your way to getting ready, you know, and you, you try something and it doesn't work, you try something, it doesn't work, but I think it also comes true is like, you know, it's like in school, like when I was a kid in school, like there were some teachers that you really connected with and then there were others, not that they were bad people. 

Brad: You just. You just didn't have that big of a connection with them. You just didn't meet them in the middle where you, as some teachers, you had a great relationship with. And I think the same comes true to different programs or things that you want to follow. I think you do have to have some sort of a connection to whatever it is that's being taught. 

Brad: And one of the things that you have mentioned is you found our podcast and that kind of piqued your interest. So can you talk a little bit about like what you started hearing on our show? That was the thing that was like, okay, I, I can do this. Or maybe I need to start [00:08:00] trying to do this. 

Craig: yeah, absolutely. I, I, I can remember almost the day precisely because I was about to, to go for a walk and I wanted to listen to something besides an entertainment podcast or just some music. So, and then it's like, yeah, I've always kind of wanted to lose, you know, some, some debts. Um, so I just started looking for, you know, lose that podcast and, yeah. 

Craig: You know, the very, very unique name of Debt Free Dad came up. It's like, Oh my God, that it resonated, um, quite quickly with me. Um, because that's, that's what I want to be. Um, that's what I'm striving to be or what I had hoped at one point. So I just started listening. Uh, I kind of went backwards in time and just like, you know, what is, what is this about, and just got hooked in terms of. 

Craig: Listening to real people talking about real situations and opportunities and paying off debt. Um, it was, you know, it was at that point I just kind of allowed myself, it's like, Oh, I, I allowed myself to actually start being hopeful again in terms of [00:09:00] being able to start paying off debt. So that was, uh, uh, a surreal kind of feeling for me at that time. 

Brad: Yeah, I love that. I love that you, um, recognize that because I think for a lot of us, including myself at one time, I felt the same exact way. You know, you get to this mindset where it's like, nothing I do works. Nothing I do never matters. It's, it's like, what's the point of trying again? You know, but to, to be able to get that hold back, that's huge. 

Craig: Yeah, it was. And, uh, you know, I, I. I've probably talked in the past or, you know, commented before, like, this program is really giving me back, you know, uh, that hope when it comes to a financial life that I, that I can have, as opposed to just kind of the dark downworld spiral thinking in terms of, you know, I'll never have enough. 

Craig: This will never be enough. I can't get out of this. We'll just get by like everybody else and continue to go into debt. I just, you know, you've got to break that mindset and start little by [00:10:00] little in a, in a different direction. 

Brad: Yeah, so, um, but there's been nothing little about the progress that you've made. It's pretty incredible, honestly, it just four or five months. Can you share? I know, I know we mentioned in the intro, but can you share just your updated numbers right now? What you guys have been able to save and pay off, uh, just here in the last four or five months since joining. 

Brad: Yeah. Yeah. 

Craig: Yeah, so like I've saved or we've saved for an emergency fund, 3, 000 kind of had that, um, number, um, in my mindset and wanted to get to, and then from there just started tackling debt as much as I could on that snowball of 15, 645. So that's a whole bunch of credit cards and a couple of auto loans too, that we now own outright,  

Brad: Yeah, that's incredible. So when you see that number, is that, uh, I mean, are you shocked? Do you think you could do that in just four or five months? Like what, what kind of thoughts come to mind when you see that? 

Craig: um, I am kind of shocked because I didn't think I get shocked. I get [00:11:00] upset with myself. It's like, where the hell has this been your whole life, Craig? It's like, I immediately started beating myself up because, oh, well, well, why didn't you do this sooner? Um, but then I just, just like have to give myself a little bit of a break and some grace. 

Craig: And it's like, This is incredible. I mean, it's really simple stuff. It's simple math. Um, you pay attention, you're accountable and tell your money what to do instead of it telling you what you, you know, can't do with it. But, um, uh, it, it's been able, it, it's been nice to, to see that and to continue to move forward with it at the same time. 

Craig: So I'm, I'm really happy and grateful for it. 

Brad: Yeah, I can't imagine, especially, you know, going from hope, you know, hopeless and feeling like you have no hope now to seeing those numbers just four or five months later, it's got to be a tremendous relief just, you know, 

Craig: Yeah, it really is. I I'm financially full of hope when it comes to what life can be like at the end of this year, next [00:12:00] year and beyond. And trying to set ourselves up for kind of the next chapter, uh, for my wife and I. Um, so, um. I'm really looking forward 

Brad: yeah. So happy for you guys. So I'm sure the listeners who are listening to this episode are dying to know, like, what in the heck did you guys do to be able to save and pay off that kind of money in just the last four or five months? So can you share what, what things did you learn in roots? What things have you guys really done over these last four or five months that you feel have. 

Brad: Really made the biggest difference for you.  

Craig: Man. That big, um, aha moment for us when, when you first started talking about it and I thought you were kind of crazy, just go back, you know, a month or three months and add up your expenses in different categories and especially when it comes to groceries and eating out and see what that. See what that reality is. 

Craig: And I was like, yeah, whatever. You know, but when you look at that reality and it was just really shocking to me, the disparity in terms of what I thought we were spending and what we actually were spending, um, or just kind of night and day, and [00:13:00] I kind of knew. Like deep down we're spending way more than I think we, or that I sort of budgeted for on a piece of paper. 

Craig: But, uh, just to see that in black and white and to go, you know, look at it again, it, it, it kind of lit a fire under me to go ahead and be more proactive in all aspects of my finances and see what else we can go ahead and tackle to try to start saving some money too. 

Brad: Yeah. So can you, are you, are you willing to share what things you were really overspending on? 

Craig: Yeah, that, you know, especially when, um, you know, the, when my son was still here living up with us before we went to college, he was a much, much larger mouth to feed, uh, than just by myself and my wife. So a lot of that was, was going into money in terms of being able to, uh, pay for food for eating out. And there was just a lot of extracurricular activities when it came to what. 

Craig: The kids were [00:14:00] doing in terms of basketball or going out to all the different events associated with that. It just never seemed to end. And it still kind of continues on that college quest as well, trying to, to be there to help out. But, um, that was, that was a giant, well, a gigantic portion of it. Uh, we also, we had like two new vehicles that. 

Craig: Like a year ago, I, I downsized into two used vehicles and I was still doing loans on them, but they were much more manageable. So now we came to a point where we were being able to start paying larger chunks of those auto loans off. And now we actually own both of those vehicles. Um, so it was a kind of a combination of that and then just starting to cut back on a whole bunch of unnecessary things in, in our lives, like a whole bunch of streaming services that we sometimes use, sometimes don't. 

Craig: I even look back at my, my phone bill, [00:15:00] uh, notice, Oh yeah, I'm still financing two phones that from whatever, from two years ago. So I. We made the decision to let's, let's pay these off and let's get a cheaper deal. And let's see how that, you know, brings the bill down altogether, even if it means losing, um, HBO and max, because it was tied to this particular vendor. 

Craig: It's like, that's okay. I, I can, I think I can live without it. 

Brad: Yeah. Talk a little bit about those sacrifices. Have you, have they, because you know what we tend to do and we're all guilty for this is like when you start something new, whether it be a health journey or getting fit or taking control of your finances, we tend to focus on everything we have to give up instead of like, you know, what we're going to gain out of it. 

Brad: So have those sacrifices been worth it over the last four or five months to make those, to, to be able to get to where you are today? 

Craig: Yeah, I, I totally think so. And you know, that's really got like my wife and I on the same page financially when it comes to, [00:16:00] um, having that same understanding and mindset, which wasn't really the case at all. Like in the past, I've, I've been the one that has been trying to do the budget, do the bills, kind of say, we can't do this. 

Craig: We can do this. But, um, now more as a team, we're, we're moving forward with trying to just like, okay, let's make those decisions together. Let's think about what we need, not only this month, but down the road next month and for the rest of the year, put it on the budget, but still have flexibility to. Have that wiggle room in terms of if other things happen or come up that we want to be able to take care of. 

Craig: And, you know, one of the other things is just learning to say, no, it's okay to say, no, it's not in the budget. Those are really quite strong, magical words, especially, um, when you're talking about your household or, or with, with your children as well, too, even if they're not living at the house, even if they still need help, um, you know, we do our best to help out as much as [00:17:00] we can, but there is a limit. 

Craig: There has to be a limit because we have to be able to, to put ourselves in a, you know, in a positive situation to move forward with ourselves financially as well too. And I mean, just allocating that money and saving off as much as possible. Um, uh, I don't worry about it anymore. I, I'm not thinking about what I wanna buy. 

Craig: I, I don't need to go upgrade my bike or buy new furniture, or do I, I'd like to. But I'm, I'm not doing that. I'm saying no to myself for those things and saying yes to just, let's start making big payment chunks and saving as much as we can. 

Brad: Yeah, man, there's so much good stuff and all that, what you just said, I mean, three big things that come to mind, obviously, you know, communication with your wife, which I want to talk a little bit about that one, being willing to say no, especially to adult kids, because if you don't say no to your adult kids, eventually you're going to be on their doorstep because you didn't take care of your own finances. 

Brad: Now they're going to have to take care of you, right? 

Brad: And then this whole mindset shift that you just [00:18:00] said, like, I don't longer think about consuming stuff as much as I used to. I mean, those are, I mean, just in four or five months, Craig, those are huge things to change, you know? So I let's, let's, let's pick on first the minds, the mindset one. 

Brad: What do you think has made, like what's happened over these last four or five months that's made that change for you? Is it the fact that you realize like, Hey, I actually can get out of debt and have no stress in my life and we can have a bigger. Better financial goals without all this stuff. Like what, what was it for you? 

Brad: I was letting that, that hope seep in, you know, from day to day and letting it build up and then eventually it becoming that mindset for me that, you know, moving away from, you know, what I want and what I think I need in terms of being more structured for how we can better live financially. 

Brad: And like I said, being able to, uh, have my wife be on the same page, like [00:19:00] in joint step, instead of being in opposite directions, because it's, it's been that way in the past and it hasn't always been, hasn't always been pretty, but now it's, it's very much in. 

Brad: In tune together. So I've been very grateful for that. 

Brad: Yeah, that's incredible. You know, that's one of the, I think, one of the biggest wins, especially when we get partners or spouses involved in, you know, anything we do here at Deaf Free Dad, is when they are finally on the same page. It just makes such a big difference in the relationship. It's amazing. 

Craig: Yeah. And I think my, my wife's biggest like, um, hang up with everything, especially when it came to being on a budget or, Oh, Craig, are we doing this plan again? Are we going in this direction again? It was, it was really a, like, this is just going to be a hard, miserable experience for, for everybody involved. 

Craig: So why, why do you want to drag me into it at the same time? Just leave me out of that. But, but kind of after. Having real discussions in terms of, well, yes, we, we do want to be on a budget, but it doesn't have to be, it [00:20:00] doesn't have to be like that. It doesn't have to be miserable. We can still have things for ourselves. 

Craig: We can still treat ourselves, take breaks if we need to, go out to eat when we want to, but not on a crazy basis and, you know, plan for some trips to give ourselves a break to reward what we're doing. Um, which wasn't a philosophy I had previously in other attempts that I. It was kind of all or nothing previously. 

Craig: And now it's just, let's just continue to make progress and, you know, be okay with ourselves. So that's, I love that, that direction. 

Brad: Yeah, it's like you go from this, uh, lifestyle that's really comfortable to scorched earth in some of these different programs, right? And it doesn't have to be that way. You know, it really, it really doesn't. So, so you're telling me you were able to live a pretty I mean, you've had to sacrifice a little bit, but hey, you've been doing it by still being able to do other things and still get out of debt at the same time. 

Craig: Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's, yeah, I think what that's the hang up for, for a lot of people that you [00:21:00] have to take this scorched earth direction and version and. So people just immediately stop when you give yourself the flexibility and you have others there to help and keep you accountable and to just continue with that positive direction. 

Craig: It does. It does build up and it. You know, it takes direction and steam after that. 

Brad: Yeah, yeah. One of the things we talk about a lot in Roots, Craig, as you know, is, really establishing , a wire purpose behind why you want to do this work and, and. Puts a meaning behind it because it is tough work at times. It's not going to be easy. There's going to be days that you don't feel like doing it. 

Brad: So, so for you and your wife and moving forward, like, what are some of the goals that have really kind of, you know, a little fire under you guys to, to really want to achieve? Like, what is the next step after. Getting out of debt for you guys. 

Craig: Yeah. That was like one of the hardest questions I think I had to answer. It's like, why are you doing this? I was like, like, no, it started, started Bruce. Like, I was like, what kind of question is that? It's like, I, but it was like the most meaningful question in terms of, you know, why you're doing this. I [00:22:00] mean, the obvious one is to get out of debt, but that's like the most generic thing you can have. 

Craig: But for me, it was just having peace of mind, having the opportunity to, to do what I want to with my life. Uh, having those opportunities to help others, my family, my children, in terms of their financial situation, giving, uh, my wife and I a better opportunity to retire in the future, to be able to travel, to not worry about money, it's that not worrying about money aspect. 

Craig: I mean, that's at the top of my, my list, my agenda, because, you know, before I started, uh, Roots, I would say I worried about money all the time, whether it was, don't have enough of it, I can't seem to manage or, or get things under control. Um, but now going in this direction with, you know, Debt Free Dad and Roots, it's been one that has been very positive in terms of trying to address. 

Craig: You know, the financial aspect of just not where we are now, but living [00:23:00] moment by moment, day to day, month to month in that reality. And I can see a future where we're going to be debt free. And it's really going to pay off in terms of, you know, the opportunities that we'll have for the future. 

Brad: Yeah, and I think that's the one of the best things that you can have in your life to fight stress and fight that hopelessness is to number one, have that compelling future that you've created. But number two, have the results that back it up. That shows that you're pushing your way through that and to it. 

Brad: Um, it's amazing. It's, it's like it, things just. Begin to feel so much better. And, and on a very, honestly, in four or five months, I mean, you're probably feeling much differently than you, than you did when you started. It's crazy how fast that works. 

Craig: it's weird. It's weird and crazy. And now I'm even more, um, uh, curious about how money works, you know, learning more about finances, learning more about retirement, all these things that I just like wanted to avoid in the past, like, well, don't talk to me about that [00:24:00] because I can't even think about it because I, you know, I'm not in the mindset. 

Craig: I don't have the opportunity. I don't have the money to, to do that. But, but now I'm. I, you know, with that changed direction of mindset, I'm allowing myself to, to learn about that and to, to bring that in as a part of my reality now to, to live that way. 

Brad: That's so cool. And I think what's happened to you is the same thing that happened to me. As you go throughout your journey, you make this connection. Not that money is the most important thing, but having control over your money. Is this amazing ripple effect on your life that allows you to live the life that you want to. 

Brad: You don't have to spend so much time managing your money once you learn how money works and how it can work for you to help you reach your goals. It's you, you begin to have this fire of wanting to learn more about it. Not that it's most important, but because you see that it is the key to opening up a lot of doors in other areas of your life. 

Craig: Yeah, absolutely. That's completely right. I'm right there with you. 

Brad: that's awesome. So yeah, obviously you mentioned saying no to your kids and things like that. Maybe, but like what, what have other, have you mentioned this to other people? [00:25:00] What you've been doing? Like, have you gotten any, any responses from your kids about, Hey, mom and dad are getting their finances finances together. 

Brad: Like what's been the response for some of that? Yeah. 

Craig: I mean, it's been good. It's been mixed in terms of, but I would say the majority of my friends and family have been really supportive in terms of just the situation and what I'm going through, what we're going through, and I've noticed a better change in my attitude. You know, for the better, it's more positive one that, you know, I can briefly talk about what's going on with my finances in terms of I, we're, we're just paying off debt and we're saving money and we don't want to be this American consumption couple anymore that we've been in the past and, you know, people are. 

Craig: Okay with that, you know, or at least like the, the close group of friends and family that I, I feel comfortable sharing that with, I wouldn't say I'd share it with the entire base of my, um, group of friends in terms of. Of that reality, [00:26:00] but because I think they're, they're kind of living in a different one than my own right now, but I don't know. 

Craig: I think that can change. Um, you know, in the future as well, too, but for the most part, it's been fairly positive. It's, it's been interesting, especially having to to go adult kids. My, my daughter, when we were growing up, when she was going through middle school and high school is getting ready for college. 

Craig: We were in that kind of dark financial place and she, she was terrified of money and she was afraid to ask for it. She was afraid to do this or commit. And now with my son, who's kind of on the other side of it, he's more carefree. He knows. You know, we, we have some money, but we're a lot more responsible with it. 

Craig: So, um, there's two different mindsets. You can see kind of the history, the past and the future, and hopefully, um, you know, what will happen as well too. So there's, there's been a lot of, uh, positive, [00:27:00] um, things that have come out of this 

Brad: Yeah, you mentioned a little bit about, um, I don't think you use the word attitude, but something around that, like just overall, how you feel about life now, do you feel like you have a little bit more pep in your step, a little bit happier, feel like quality of life has improved since you've, since you've really kind of taken a hold of this. 

Craig: Yeah, I do. Um, I think it has made a A huge improvement, not only, you know, from the financial standpoint, but it, you know, it has this trickle down effect, especially when it comes to my attitude towards other things. I'm trying not to be as snarky and sarcastic as my usual self, but it's generally being more open and grateful and honest. 

Craig: And I've been able to kind of increase, uh, my exercise and productivity and just trying to be healthier, trying to. You know, shift over that mindset in terms of, you know, I, you know, cause I struggled with my weight a lot during my adult life as well to kind of a lot of the same [00:28:00] story parallel to finances. 

Craig: So I'm trying to, I'm trying to build off of that and, you know, work that into the conversation. It's, and, and it's, it's been coming along. So that's, that's been a positive too. 

Brad: Craig, man, this is so good. Like you are, uh, you are making my day because this is what we live for right here. This is why we started this company. And, you know, I, I realized a lot of these things in my own life, a lot of the changes that I was making and to be able to see that this is helping you. I mean, it's, uh, this is, this is why we do what we do. 

Brad: So, uh, thank you so much for sharing that. Um, quick question for you in regards to, um, you know, people that are out there that were, where, where you were, say. Four or five months ago, or even prior to that, you know, maybe someone who is not quite ready. What, what kind of advice would you give to say Craig from six months ago versus, you know, Craig today based on where you're at? 

Craig: You know, the, the honest answer is just do it. Uh, this can really turn your financial life around. I know [00:29:00] that's really cliche if you're on the fence. If you think you, you know, this isn't going to work for you. What's. What's the worst that can happen? If you just take a chance and see and listen and start to hear some of those things, just let them sink in and see what you think, just give it a day. 

Craig: Give it a week. Um, I would honestly say, cause I was right there on the fence. And I just started the easiest way possible. Of course, that's what I chose. The easiest way possible. I started listening to the podcast and it's like, this, this is really good. It makes sense. Which led me to the, you know, the, the small investment I made in Roots to just have that accountability. 

Craig: Just made a great, significant difference. So I would, I would definitely encourage people to just give it a try, even if they're, you know, hesitant to do it. What's the worst that could happen. 

Brad: Yeah. That's awesome. Well, Craig, I gotta say, I'm proud of you, man. It's, I know it's a lot of work, um, being willing to stand up and do [00:30:00] this stuff differently than most people are doing. You know, face some face some challenges and you've done it and you've made some amazing progress. So it's awesome to have you on the show today to be able to share this with other people. 

Brad: Just honestly give them that glimmer of hope that things could be different. So I appreciate you. 

Craig: Thank you so much, Brad. I've really enjoyed talking to you. It's been a pleasure. 

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