If you’re wanting to live a life where you’re not a victim to what is in (or isn’t in) your bank account, check out my financial tips page. Or maybe you want to start a blog, start a business, or other side hustle for extra cash or a whole new career to live the life you want.

My story started out really rough financially. You know how most people are supposed to go to college, get a great paying job, and start saving up money so they can afford the house, car, and family? My life happened in a different order. Two kids first, then marriage, then college a month after marriage, one year later a house, and a few cars. Last was a job. Paycheck to paycheck was my life.

Oddly enough, we managed to make ends meet, and even developed that “I can buy anything when I want it because I deserve it” attitude – insert credit card debt and poor money management here.

We became submerged with $225K worth of debt through mortgages, car payments, student loans, and credit card debt in a remarkably short period of time. After 84 months of hard work on the debt free journey, I am now debt free, able to work from anywhere, taking amazing family vacations, and dreaming of what early retirement on a beach will look like. From broke to beach is my story, and it can be yours too.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, and like me, you can get into a financial bind in a real short amount of time. Especially when everyone else around you is drowning in debt. That’s normal, right? Here’s the deal. Don’t be normal – be debt free. Quit drowning in the ocean of debt; instead, lay back and enjoy life on the beach.

Find people to surround yourself with that encourage good financial habits, that support you in your debt free choice, and that want to see you succeed.

I’ve jumped in 100 percent with both feet into this debt-free lifestyle and so can you. Your life will never be the same in the best way possible.

Four rules to live by:

1. Don’t keep up with the Joneses – they’re idiots
2. You don’t really need it – and you certainly don’t deserve it
3. There’s a cheaper way to do it, buy it, make it – don’t go into debt for it
4. Work hard and make money – then find ways to make more of it

I want you to succeed. I want your success story to be better than mine. You don’t have to be drowning in debt forever just because you are now.

Go from broke to beach starting today.

Cheers!

Ann – founder of Broke to Beach