This is the first in a series of posts designed to encourage you to pay off debt and become financially free.

Thousands of people are on the debt-free journey with you, including Christina Koch from Oklahoma.

Although she still has some student loan debt she’s working on, Christina has paid off $10,000 in credit card debt since she got serious about it in 2012. Read on for what motivated her to change her ways and gain financial freedom.

Name:

Christina Koch, Norman, Oklahoma

Occupation:

Disaster Case Manager

Starting debt:

$10,000 in credit card debt

Debt paid off:

$10,000 (Adios, credit cards.)

Debt busting motivation:

After participating in a short-term mission trip to Guatemala, Christina sensed God calling her back to the country for long-term ministry. Having a dream and a calling motivated her to take the necessary steps to get out of debt.

“I kept the vision in front of me,” Christina said, “just like it talks about in Habakkuk 2:2 (Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it).

Debt busting method:

Christina moved home to save money, sold a lot of her furniture and used a cash-only envelope system.

“Something about tangible money going through my hands made me think more about how I was spending it,” Christina said. “I also had a friend hold me accountable, and I would send her my budget spreadsheet at the end of every month.”

Best thing about the debt-free journey:

Christina was able to fulfill her dream of living in Guatemala for six months last year. She is about to return again.

“It FREES you so much to be able to do other things,” she said. “You can bless other people!”

Debt-busting philosophy:

“Live within your means. Pay off your debt. Get it gone!”

First thing she’s going to do when she’s debt free:

Move to Guatemala and start a discipleship training school for children. She also wants to adopt street children and raise them in a family environment.

Bible verse:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Do you have a story to share? Let us know in the comments below!