I am excited to write this post my friends. You have all read my journey, probably over and over again on different sites. The reason I have so much excitement is I am really seeing results of my hard work over the years. I have pushed myself to learn new things, make financial changes, and earn extra money all while spending quality time with my family and holding a full-time job. It hasn’t been easy. There have been many sleepless nights along with quite a few times I wanted to pack it up and just leave it all behind. But cooler heads prevailed. I looked back at my work and my goals. I want to become financially independent one day and the tools and skills I am using now will get me there. I have never shared my net worth and I won’t give the full number, but I wanted to share where my net worth has come from. I hope this inspires some who are really looking to change their lives.
Where I Was Six Years Ago
I can’t believe it has been so long, but alas here we are. Six years ago, I was deep in financial trouble. I had well over $70,000 in consumer debt, not including our mortgage. I had a jetski loan, car loan, and over $50,000 in credit card debt. I was making poor choices, which resulted in a lot of stress and personal turmoil. Luckily for me, six years ago my wife kicked my ass in gear and told me to make a change. She backed me 200% and provided the support I needed to get it together.
Six years ago kicked off my debt killing journey. I worked very hard to earn more money, find side jobs, reduce my spending, reduce my expenses, and pay off my debt. It took me four years to rid myself of the debt. I was paying credit cards off left and right. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. While I was working to pay off my debt, I also wanted to learn how to grow my wealth. Like I wrote the other day, I realize now that paying off my debt was how I was working toward building my wealth. When you are in a large negative, then seeing that number get close to zero is powerful.
When my journey started, my net worth was at -$75,000. This was the $70,000 in consumer debt I had, plus the $5,000 our mortgage was under water. This was during the Great Recession. Either way, that number sucked looking at. I hated it. Seeing so much red was really disheartening.
Six Years Later And…
Two years ago, I finally hit $0 in net worth. Most people would look at that and say it sucks. I look at it as a huge achievement. Seeing $0 for my net worth was a positive for me. Being competitive and not accepting the fate debt dealt, I wanted to grow my wealth substantially. I started this blog back in August of 2012. It was a month after my last credit card was paid off. This blog gave me access to many people’s financial ideals. It really helped me learn what I could do. I setup my first Roth IRA at Betterment a month later. I started contributing up to the match with my 401k. I even jumped back into the business fray and launched my freelance and website management company. It has been a wild ride for sure, but all of it was to help me grow my wealth.
As I made more money and saved a ton of it, we realized we needed to get out of our neighborhood. It was not where we wanted to raise our son. We finally closed on our house two months ago and I was able to put 20% down with no issues. This gave us instant equity in our home and a very positive net worth. I have not stopped yet. I finally just opened up a Motif Investing account, so I can start investing in some dividend stocks outside of my retirement accounts. I am really excited about it and really wanted to do it sooner. I have many money goals and I think I can get closer to them with some more passive income.
Our Net Worth is…(drumroll)
Well, I logged into my Personal Capital account this week and I was happy to see the progress we have made. All said and done, our net worth between myself and my wife is over $140,000. Now, for those on their way to $1 million, I applaud you. I am on my way toward that goal myself. I have been so busy over the past two months so I hadn’t checked the net worth. There was a feeling that ran through me when I saw the number. Going from -$75,000 to over $140,000 in six years feels good. It shows my plan is slowly working. It also shows what you can do in just two years. We pushed it hard and added over $140,000 just in the last two years.
I only share this with you to show it is very possible to get out of debt and start building wealth. I don’t want to toot my own horn because I still have a long way to go and this is just a blip in the bucket. I plan on ramping up our retirement savings, then building a healthy investment portfolio where I can access my cash when I need it. If you are in the dark tunnel of debt, then remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You will eventually see that light and the whole financial world will be at your finger tips. Don’t ever give up looking for the light in the dark tunnel. Don’t quit and continue pushing on. There is nothing special about me. I learned my mistakes, made changes, and now am on my way toward financial independence.
Alicia says
September 5 at 6:15 amThat is one heck of a turnaround – 215k in six years. That’s a lot of change, to say the least. Nice job!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:35 amThank you Alicia! It was a lot of hard work.
Taylor Lee says
September 5 at 7:10 amWOW.
The 140K in the last two years is crazy impressive. Just goes to show being debt free really does give you the breathing room to really thrive.
Congratulations on all your progress! At this rate you’ll be in the two comma club in no time at all.
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:35 amI am hoping for the two comma club. One day!
moneystepper says
September 5 at 7:20 amCongratulations man, that is a great journey and it must have taken a huge amount of hard work and commitment. Next stop – financial freedom!! 🙂
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:35 amThank you very much. Yes, it took a lot of work and dedication.
Mrs. Frugalwoods says
September 5 at 7:33 amCongrats! Wow! You should be proud–relish the moment! And, thanks for sharing this in the hopes of motivating others!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:36 amI am proud of it and I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde says
September 5 at 8:50 amThis is SO inspiring Grayson!!! Thank you so much for sharing your stories and your journey. It’s true that you can do anything as long as you set your mind and energy toward making it a reality. Congrats!!!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:36 amThank you Shannon!
Gretchen says
September 5 at 9:35 amWow, this is amazing! The fact that you were able to keep up paying off debt for 6 years is amazing, and then the jump in net worth even more so! I haven’t been reading for the whole journey, but what I have has been so inspiring! Keep up the good work!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:36 amWell, I only paid off debt for four years. I haven’t had any debt for two years.
Kipp says
September 5 at 9:44 amVery good post Grayson! I think it is good to use this to motivate others that not only they can get out of debt, but to then start growing their net wroth. Very inspiring!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:36 amThank you Kipp!
PK says
September 5 at 11:03 amCongrats! Great results, especially over the last two years.
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:36 amI appreciate the support PK!
Erin @ Journey to Saving says
September 5 at 11:44 amCongrats! What a difference two years and lots of determination and hard work makes!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:37 amThank you Erin!
Maria @ Pocket of Money says
September 5 at 12:20 pmWow, congratulations! This is a very clear example of how changing behavior and staying focused on the goal leads to success. I’m curious, what techniques did you use to stay motivated and focused?
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:37 amI appreciate the support Maria. It did take a lot of work and a lifestyle change.
Melanie @ My Alternate Life says
September 5 at 12:55 pmThat is really incredible! Nice work. I can’t wait to get to $0 net worth! I am slowly starting to close the gap. Congrats on your Plutus nomination again!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:37 amGetting to $0 was the hardest part and then it was more exciting to watch it go up!
Natalie @ Budget and the Bees says
September 5 at 2:47 pmCongratulations, Grayson! I’m so happy for you that you’ve been able to come so far. Thank you for sharing your story with numbers and all. I hope this reaches a lot of people in similar situations and encourages them to look for the light at the end of the tunnel.
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:38 amThank you Natalie! I appreciate your kind words.
Kim says
September 5 at 3:01 pmCongrats! Once the debt is gone and you can start putting those past payments toward building weath, there really is not limit. Do you think you’d work this hard now if you’d never had to struggle to pay off debt? I would not, and that’s why I’m grateful to have gone through the experience.
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:38 amYou are correct there Kim!
Allen @ The Daily Cent says
September 5 at 4:03 pmCongrats! You’re story is similar to mine (except my debt was business debt). It’s an amazing feeling going from negative net worth to positive networth.
Keep it up! It’ll double in no time.
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:38 amMuch of my debt was also business debt Allen. I funded my business off credit cards. Huge mistake!
Lance @ Healthy Wealthy Income says
September 5 at 4:14 pmWow, that is a really quick turnaround. That is a good wife you have. Way to go!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:38 amI have an awesome wife, that is for sure.
Kassandra @ More Than Just Money says
September 5 at 6:32 pmI completely get where you’re coming from! You and your wife have so much to be proud and now that you are consumer debt free, you have so much more choices in life.
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:39 amWe are proud of the turn around, but I have to say that most of the negative was from my stupid mistakes.
MoneyMiniBlog says
September 6 at 11:15 amIt’s amazing what you can do when you’re debt free! Congrats! I am happy for you. On your way to a million!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:39 amI can’t wait until I hit that million!
Dee @ Color Me Frugal says
September 6 at 12:14 pmI’m so impressed Grayson! That is so awesome. Keep up the strong work!!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:39 amI appreciate your support Dee!
[email protected] says
September 7 at 7:22 pmThat is quite the turnaround. Congratulations! Your on track to be a millionaire before you know it.
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:39 amThat is the goal, at least in the short term!
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says
September 8 at 6:54 amI am inspired Grayson! That’s what you call determination and commitment. I wonder when and how I can do that turnaround which you just did. Congratulations!
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:40 amI had a lot of determination and commitment for sure.
Ben @ The Wealth Gospel says
September 8 at 12:16 pmPretty slick! I just wrote about how sucky I feel about our debt, but it’s always good to read stuff like this. Now for the patience part… 🙂
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:40 amIt is hard being in the debt phase, but with work, it will pass.
J. Money says
September 8 at 5:15 pmWay to go, man! That’s huge!!
You just earned your spot on our Blogger Net Worth List 😉 If you continue to update it, let me know and I’ll continue to update your spot!
http://rockstarfinance.com/blogger-net-worths/
Grayson Bell says
September 10 at 9:46 amThanks J. Money! I will update it slowly over time. I was hesitant to do it, but I kind of like seeing it. Long way to go, but I will get there slowly.