Today is a glorious day (wrote this Feb 27, 2025).
Why?
I just paid off $27k in debt (see caption below). But only after my wife and I got serious.
How?
Using basic financial principles that have existed for millennia.
I’m going to show you how I did and explain why this is so important in Western culture today.
We need saving(s)
Everyone wants the infamous “financial freedom,” but ain’t nobody wanna sacrifice their lumpy desires to get there.
This is where delayed gratification comes in.
Most people are living for their impulses and let me tell you, this is what a real demon looks like. They’re hidden in plain sight. The Bible was right about us. We’re fleshy beings that need saving (and savings).
Debt is the worst human habit and it’s our failed way of enslaving ourselves to the higher powers that we tend to complain about (government and the like).
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."
Proverbs 22:7
Why debt is deadly
Once you’ve signed a mortgage or car note, your paychecks aren’t yours anymore. A percentage belongs to the big bad wolves of Wall Street (banks).
Congratulations, you’ve sold your soul!
Okay well, you’ve sold part of your freedom. “But Brand, I need a place to live and a car to get around!” Okay, I know. Trust me, I made the same mistake. But I’m here to tell you how I’m undoing it.
This takes discipline.
So if you’re not willing to sacrifice vacations that you don’t deserve, material possessions that return to dust like us, or knick knacks from Amazon, then sorry, you’re not gonna make it.
Take it from The Man, Jesus Himself:
A master goes on a trip and entrusts three servants with his money according to their abilities—one gets five bags of silver, another two, and the last one.
The first two invest and double their amounts, but the third (the old you) buries his out of fear. When the master returns, he praises the first two for their faithfulness and rewards them with greater responsibilities.
However, he rebukes the third servant for his laziness and fear, taking away his money and giving it to the most productive servant.
The unfaithful servant is cast into darkness, emphasizing that those who wisely use their gifts will be blessed, while those who waste them will lose even what they have.
— Matthew 25:14-30 (paraphrased for brevity)
How I paid $27k so fast
One word: Frugality.
My wife and I are particular about what we spend without suffering as a family.
We track our spending with a simple budgeting app and do our best to eat at home. It’s not hard, it just takes open communication and planning.
I’m the only one who makes income, so we throw all the extra money from my paychecks to the loan. This wasn’t easy at first. I had to overcome two things:
Meaningless materialism — truth is, you don’t need things to feel happy. Consumerist society tells you otherwise.
A scarcity mindset — The kind that wanted to hold onto money because of the fear of losing it.
With a partner, it’s not always easy.
I compromise with my wife, but we have the same values and ideology for our future. So choose your partner wisely, my friend. This will make or break your entire life.
Additional tips to consider (speedmode)
That’s it. You don’t need a lot of active effort to pay off debt. Just an iron resolve and a discerning mind to make good decisions.
However, there’s another way to make more money if you’re willing to put in some sweat. Should be obvious but here’s two ways to sharpen your debt slaying axe:
Side hustle money like selling your meaningless but expensive stuff.
Business income (most lucrative and has no ceiling for earning potential)
When I paid off my student loan, I sold all my games, electronics, and some workout equipment. I made a few thousand dollars to kill it with. You can always buy them again if you want when you’re debt-free.
Best of luck out there.
Free yourself from the debt demon and give glory to God.
"But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed"
Deuteronomy 8:18-19
Stay clear, calm, and creative,
Brand Marz
P.S.
These are some of the personal finance resources I used to learn and pay off debt.
Let me know if you’d like to learn more. Otherwise, catch you next time!
The Richest Man In Babylon — George Clason
Total Money Makeover (and Baby Steps) — Dave Ramsey
I Will Teach You To Be Rich — Ramit Sethi
Minimalism (philosophy and practice) — Search YouTube
The Millionaire Fastlane — MJ DeMarco
"It costs nothing to ask wise advice from a good friend." — The Richest Man In Babylon
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