The About page

Hi! I am José. In my early 30's I found myself struggling with a mountain of debt close to half a million dollars that I accumulated in school loans banking on landing a high-paying job that would take care of it. Sufficed to say that I did not land the job and got stuck with the bill.

I remember clearly just over a decade ago how I was so distraught by this situation. I saw clearly that I had two choices; give up, ignore my circumstances and chalk it up to "nothing can be done about it, that's my lot in life" or, commit to the crazy idea that I could turn this around and resolve to take care of my financial responsibilities.

I felt something shift within me on a fateful night on October 1st, 2011. On that night, I resolved myself to change the trajectory of my story. I didn't know how it would be done, but I knew it would happen. In the timeless words of Dr. Peter Venkman: "For whatever reasons, Ray, call it fate.... Call it luck. Call it karma. I believe that everything happens for a reason".

The first thing that needed to happen was that I had to realize that what I had been doing until this point just wasn't working. So at the ripe old age of 31, I joined the Armed Forces. It was something I also wanted to do so I said to myself, why not? What have I got to lose?

It turns out that I ended up having a lot to gain, not because I joined the service, but because I did something I hadn't done before in three decades. I listened to my gut and became Intentional about a committed and desired change in my circumstances.

In the process I also gained a beautiful wife, a loving son, and after participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for over 10 years, I was finally able to call myself Debt-Free.

The Story

I created the website because I believe that there is a serious problem with lack of Financial Literacy in today's society and I want to do my best to fill the gaps that you might have on the subject. I have learned a lot of things over the last 13 years. These are:

• Mind Set - Live on less than what you make (Vision, Discipline, Frugality, Personal Courage)

• Budgeting & Debt Management - Minimize or eliminate any consumer debt; save or invest the rest.

• Wealth Building - Create Assets, not Liabilities.

This creates a positive cash-flow state, granting you a Positive Net Worth. Which in turn grants you Freedom and Time which is your greatest asset.

I AM NOT A FINANCIAL ADVISOR. I am a regular guy who wants to share his story in the hope that it will help others. I hope that the content I post serves you positively and it allows you to acquire the knowledge you seek that will empower you to take the first in setting your personal Foundation in Finance!

The Reason