America is the land of the free!  Unfortunately, with all our liberties many Americans are in prison.  What prison?  A financial prison called debt.  Debt imprisons your mind, emotions, and spirit, and robs you of your joy, hope, dreams, purpose and destiny.  All the wishing in the world will not change your circumstance until you make a change.  Most people, sorry to say, choose to continue drowning deeper and deeper.  It’s comfortable and familiar to them.  Even with all the drama and pain that debt brings -- many would rather live in that “doomed” reality than make some adjustments and changes in order to have financial freedom. 

Freedom is defined as “a state in which someone is able to act and live as he or she chooses without being subject to any restraints and restrictions.”  What restraints are you living with in this “free” country?  Are bill collectors harassing you, the repo man looking for your car, utility man knocking at your door, the postman bringing cut-off notices, and the mortgage company threatening to take your home?   Have you allowed debt to steal your peace and your mind?  Have you had enough of debt yet?  If so, what are you going to do about it?

In my book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever, it takes you through steps to change your mind, habits, and spending in order to become debt free.  However, the first step is admitting you are in debt, and then making a decision, plan, and commitment to get out of debt.  It’s not something you just hope your way out of.  It will mean implementing steps that are different, in order to get new results.  It takes work, self-control, and discipline.  What sacrifices are you willing to make to get out of debt-prison?  Tired of the fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, and tears?  Has debt-prison been working well for you?  If not, what are you going to do and when?

Financial freedom takes patience, perseverance, and planning.  In the coming year, will you be released from debt-prison or will your sentence be extended?  Debt or financial freedom – You choose!

Sharman G. Lawson is the author of the e-book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever!  Sharman is a personal finance coach and business consultant in the care home industry.  Sharman has appeared on television, radio and in print media.  For more information visit:  www.careenterprisellc.com.