Man Vs Debt Adam Baker
I was searching the financial forums the other day looking for simple ways to become debt free and living a better life when I came across a link to a site called ManVsDebt.com.
I was only on the site for about 10 seconds when it hit me like a ton of bricks. This guy has ”got it”. He is on the right track and wants to help others do the same.
His name is Adam Baker and his mantra is: Sell your crap. Pay off your debt. Do what you love.
Adam and his wife Courtney have been covered in USA Today, Psychology Today, The Art of Non-Conformity, MSN.com, CNNMoney, Fox Business, Time, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, The Dallas News, The San Francisco Chronicle, Zen Habits, SxSw 2010 Web Awards Finalist, The Art of Non-Conformity, ProBlogger, LifeHacker, Get Rich Slowly, The Simple Dollar, WiseBread, and Digg.com to name a few!
It all started in 2008, after the birth of their daughter Milligan, The Bakers decided to sell everything they owned, pay off their consumer debt, and spend a year traveling abroad as a family. The Bakers began sharing their journey publicly in early 2009 forming the community of Man Vs. Debt.
They first spent a year leading up to their trip selling all of their possessions (down to two backpacks) and paying down $18,000 in consumer debt. In June 2009, the Bakers left for what was to be a year in Australia, but quickly turned into more mobile travels through Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and finally back to Indiana.
In sharing their ups and downs in the areas of personal finance, consumerism, clutter, travel, minimalism, and passionate entrepreneurship, Adam and Courtney realized that they weren’t alone in the desire to explore and grow. Fortunately, a community of like-minded people has emerged, contributed, and rallied together.
I posted a YouTube video of Adam giving a presentation on what freedom means to you and how you can get there. Enjoy.
Credit Report Checklist
Your credit report is free every 12 months or more often if you have been refused credit, employment, or insurance within 30 days – based on a credit report from the credit bureau from which you now seek a report. In practice, the bureaus usually honor a request for a free report anytime within 60 days after credit is refused. However, credit bureaus that did not issue a report that was the basis for the denial can still charge you a credit report fee.
You are also entitled to a free report once a year if you certify that any of the following are true:
- If it’s been 12 months since you last requested your report
- Unemployed and seeking employment
- Receiving public welfare assistance
- A victim of fraud and your file may contain inaccuracies
If you do not fall into any category allowing you to get a free report, the fees vary between bureaus and even different regional offices of the same agency. Therefore, you should check with the credit bureau before you formally request your credit report.
- Your full name. State any aliases or maiden name. Also include your middle initial.
- Current address and former addresses for the last 5 years. If you have moved in the last 6 months, provide proof of address from a utility bill or phone bill. The credit bureau may not have your current address on file as yet.
- Social security number. This must be included to process your request.
- Spouse’s name
- State whether you have been denied credit within 60 days (include a copy of the credit denial or related details.)
It only takes a couple of minutes to view and print your free credit report so there isn’t any reason not to do so.