How Paying Off Debt Gives You Freedom with Kumiko Love (2024)

How Paying Off Debt Gives You Freedom with Kumiko Love (1)

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  • April 23, 2020
  • by Chelsea

Why You've Got to Listen to This Episode...

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Kumiko Love of The Budget Mom who paid off $77,000 of debt, and more recently, bought her dream home…in cash! We’re going to talk about Miko’s journey—how her money mindset played a major role as she paid off debt and started to reach for bigger goals, what financial security and independence means for her, and dive into her process for getting started on your own debt freedom journey. There is so much power, freedom, and security in getting out of debt and giving yourself more options. I hope this episode will inspire your own journey, whether you’re well on your way or just getting started.

  • [08:24] How Kumiko would reward herself whenever she would hit a goal and how those rewards were part of her biggest mindset shift
  • [12:19] Kumiko shares what financial security and financial freedom mean to her
  • [17:46] How to get started with paying off debt even when you don’t believe it’s possible
  • [20:21] Kumiko’s 3-step process for creating a successful budget as well as how to budget when you have fluctuating income
  • [36:48] What she wishes all moms knew about money
  • [39:50] Chelsea’s Top Takeaways

How Paying Off Debt Gives You Freedom with Kumiko Love (2)

Grab Our Free Debt Payoff Trackers!

Creating a plan for debt freedom is the first step!

Key Takeaways to Apply to Your Own Money Journey

We’ve rounded up our top three takeaways from today’s amazing episode to highlight the most impactful things we learned from Miko that you can take into your own money journey.

1 - Choosing Not to Take Care of Your Money Takes Away Important Opportunities

When Kumiko first took a close look at her debt, she got angry. Not angry at the world, but angry at herself for not realizing the cost of her debts and all the opportunities she was missing out on because she had to pay those debts.

Miko has been able to grow her business, buy a home in cash, and is saving for financial independence and the option to retire early. Those things would not have been possible without her stepping up and engaging with her money.

You can do anything you want in life—not everything, but anything. As long as you don’t shut the door on opportunities by spending outside your means or on things that aren’t important to you.

2 - Throughout Your Debt Payoff Journey, Reward Yourself

Complete deprivation isn’t the path to success.

I am so glad that Miko said this. Her $1 co*kes at McDonalds may seem so miniscule to you – but to her it was a way to treat herself, have gratitude for the little things, and remember to honor who she is and that the things that matter to her matter.

When you first start a debt payoff journey, it’s so easy to get tunnel vision. To believe that the only thing that matters is paying off your debt as quickly as possible. Forget rewards, forget emergency funds, forget birthday presents.

But over time? That eats away at your self-worth. It makes you hate budgeting and want to give up on the whole process since you’re treating money as more important than yourself and your family.

Decide on what little things bring you joy and figure out how to prioritize them. Those ice cream dates with your kiddos will feel so empowering when you know that the money work you’re doing is letting you afford them without stress. (And doing them less frequently usually means you appreciate them more too!)

3 - Your Money Journey is a Journey of Self-Discovery

We talk a lot here about the emotional aspects of money. You might get motivated to pay off your debt or reach a financial goal out of fear or anger. But to grow in your journey, identify what you really want, and find peace and security with your money, you have to engage emotionally with it.

What is freedom for you? What are your fears? What expenses do you have that really are only an effort to fill an emotional void?

Treat each step of your journey as an opportunity to learn a little bit more about yourself. You’ll find your confidence, connect with your passion and purpose, and be able to create a life you love and are proud of.

Links & Resources Mentioned

  • Debt Payoff Worksheets - Free Download
  • Build a Budget That Actually Works
  • How to Destroy Your Debt
  • Episode 025: The Right Way to Get Out of Debt in 6 Simple Steps

How Paying Off Debt Gives You Freedom with Kumiko Love (3)

Connect with Kumiko

Kumiko Love (Miko) of The Budget Mom is an Accredited Financial Counselor and a single mom who has fought her way out of $77K in debt. The Budget Mom is empowering women everywhere to regain control of their financial lives with tools like The Budget-by-Paycheck WorkbookTM, expert advice, and a supportive network. The Budget Mom blog goes far beyond other financial advice resources, offering lifestyle tips and money-saving strategies in addition to easy-to-follow explanations of financial terms. As Miko shares her own personal financial journey, abstract concepts become real-life action steps. Mom to a spirited little boy and devoted to the growing community she has created, Miko lives in Spokane Valley, Washington.

Have You Subscribed Yet, Mama?

Are you subscribed to the Smart Money Mamas podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to head over to Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen to your podcasts) and subscribe! I release episodes twice and week and as a subscriber, you’ll be notified right away so you can take checking the feed for new content off your mental to-do list.

Click here to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify!

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How Paying Off Debt Gives You Freedom with Kumiko Love (2024)

FAQs

How old is Kumiko Love? ›

Kumiko Love wasn't always good with money. But as the 33-year-old mother embarked on a career as a financial counselor, she learned valuable information that she has shared with millions of followers on her blog, "The Budget Mom."

Is it better to be in debt or debt free? ›

Being debt-free is a financial milestone we often hear about people striving for. Without debt, you can focus on building more savings, investing those extra funds and just simply having more peace of mind about your finances.

Why you should pay off debt? ›

Build your wealth.

The less money you're paying in interest fees, the more money you'll have to put towards your savings goals such as retirement, college tuition, a down payment, or a dream vacation. Whatever your financial objectives, reducing your overall debt can go a long way toward helping you achieve them.

Are debt free people happier? ›

Yes, 97% of people with debt say they would be happier without it. People with debt are more likely to suffer depression or anxiety.

What percentage of people live debt free? ›

Only about 30 percent of U.S. adults manage to live a debt free lifestyle. But even if it's a tough thing to achieve, it's still doable. If you've been wondering how to become debt free, start by following these simple steps.

What happened to Kumiko Love? ›

- As a single mom, Kumiko Love paid off nearly $80,000 of debt in less than a year. Now, she's made a successful career of helping others do the same. Love is known as “The Budget Mom” to her millions of social media followers. She's a Spokane local who operates a warehouse in Spokane Valley.

Who did Kumiko marry? ›

After Aunt Yukie passes away, Kumiko inherits her home, settles back in Okinawa, and becomes a dance teacher for children. While she had many marriage proposals, she never married or had children.

How did Daniel and Kumiko break up? ›

As Daniel wanted her to follow her dreams and be happy more than he wanted her to be with him, he reluctantly convinced Kumiko to stay in Japan and pursue her dancing career.

At what age should I be debt-free? ›

“Shark Tank” investor Kevin O'Leary has said the ideal age to be debt-free is 45, especially if you want to retire by age 60. Being debt-free — including paying off your mortgage — by your mid-40s puts you on the early path toward success, O'Leary argued.

Can you buy a house with 40k salary? ›

For homebuyers with a $40,000 annual income (a $3,333 monthly income), traditional guidelines of a 36% debt-to-income ratio give a maximum house payment of $1,200 ($3,333 * . 36). Each example has the same amount for taxes ($2,500), insurance ($1,000), and APR (6%) for a 30-year loan term.

How to pay off 30 000 in debt in one year? ›

The 6-step method that helped this 34-year-old pay off $30,000 of credit card debt in 1 year
  1. Step 1: Survey the land. ...
  2. Step 2: Limit and leverage. ...
  3. Step 3: Automate your minimum payments. ...
  4. Step 4: Yes, you must pay extra and often. ...
  5. Step 5: Evaluate the plan often. ...
  6. Step 6: Ramp-up when you 're ready.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

Is 5000 a lot of debt? ›

$5,000 in credit card debt can be quite costly in the long run. That's especially the case if you only make minimum payments each month. However, you don't have to accept decades of credit card debt. There are a few things you can do to pay your debt off faster - potentially saving thousands of dollars in the process.

How much debt does the average American have? ›

The average debt an American owes is $104,215 across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, credit card debt, student loan debt, and other debts like personal loans. Data from Experian breaks down the average debt a consumer holds based on type, age, credit score, and state.

Why does it feel good to be debt free? ›

Without any debts to worry about, your monthly expenses will drop, freeing up your personal cash flow and allowing you to focus on savings and daily living expenses. Few people understand just how free you can feel when you're no longer beholden to a slew of banks and lenders.

Can you really live debt free? ›

So, when you hear about people who have absolutely no debt, live on less than they make, and have a stash of cash for emergencies, you might think they're . . . weird. But living a debt-free life isn't only for a special group of people. It's something anyone can do with hard work and some special characteristics.

Can you go your whole life without debt? ›

It might appear impossible, but many consumers succeed in living their entire lives without any debt. People of a variety of ages and income levels have made this choice.

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