I buried myself in all the financial books I could get my hands on. The most influential was written by Dave Ramsey, "Total Money Makeover". How was I so clueless about all the damage I was doing?!

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I realized that having a budget was the answer. It was finally a way for me to tell my money where to go instead of it controlling me. 

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I started a budget in 2011 and have never looked back. 

Within three years of budgeting I was able to pay off over $45,000 (that's right, thousands!) in debt and put $15,000 toward the wedding of my dreams. A few years later I purchase a vehicle with cash, what an incredible feeling!

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The journey took me a while, but I finally feel free. My relationship with money is no longer toxic.

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I am still living debt-free to this day, and I don't ever want to look back!