- Money was just confusing. I didn't know really how to make ends meet that I had created for myself. I knew there had to be a better way. I would go to work every day, and I would get paid
on every other Friday, and it just wasn't enough. And that was just the
biggest thing for me. I knew that there was some
way that I could enjoy my life better than just going to work every day. And so, when I came across
Financial Peace University, it was the first time money
had ever made sense to me. My life started to open up. But I definitely had to work
hard to get to that place. And just doing the steps, no
matter how hard they were. Finding an accountability partner— he forced me to get a second job. "You have to have another job, Tracy. You're $10 away from disaster." And it was true. But I feel like, once you get it— the budgeting piece of it—you find money. This is the first time I knew what to do with the finances, and
everything has changed. Everything is completely different now. - Well, Tracy, thank you so
much for coming on the show! - Thank you for having me.
I really appreciate it. - And sharing your story. Because this whole episode
is about how to get a raise. And we say around here all the time that, when you first start to budget, it feels like you got a raise. - Yes. - So, I wanna know from you,
because you're a budgeter now, which we'll talk about in a second. But what was life like
before you started budgeting? - I was just confused all the time. I would work Monday through Friday, every other Friday get a paycheck, and it just would be
gone by Friday afternoon. And I just didn't know where it went. Or I just didn't feel
totally good about my life. I just felt like there
had to be something else. There had to be a little bit more. - Yes. Were you stressed a lot? - Always. Always trying to figure out— There were so many days
the choice was between, Do I eat? Do I feed the dog? Or do we pay the utility bill? Or do we go put gas in the car? We were always trying to
choose one over the other. - And that's, like, your
basic needs there, right? (crosstalk) And so, I guess I could
put you in that percentage that 78% of Americans
live paycheck to paycheck. - Absolutely. - So, you are the tried and
true living the paycheck. Did you ever think when you were in that, like, the thought of not being like that? Did you think that was possible? Or was it like, all those people can do it, but there's no way that
my situation could change because it felt so—in
the moment—so stressful? - It definitely felt suffocating, for sure. But because I worked in the medical field, I knew there was a cure. (laughter) I just didn't know what the cure was. I just knew there had to be a better way, because I would see the
people who were not living paycheck to paycheck. And that was my true inspiration. - So, what was the moment
that you're like, "Okay, I gotta change"? And what
got you on a different path? - I started—
I always say YouTube is the new Encyclopedia Brittanica. So, I just started
researching and researching and researching, and I had come across the Dave Ramsey Show, and I
found The Rachel Cruze Show on YouTube, and I just
started watching it. And I moved to Nashville, and the first year I moved
here, I was so excited when I realized I was
actually in Nashville and that the studio that I
had been watching on YouTube was in Brentwood. So, a friend and I went on
my birthday two years ago, and we got to see the studio. I got my picture taken with Dave Ramsey and Anthony ONeal. And I got a quick shot of you
leaving out of the studio. (laughter) Out of the studio that
day, and I just thought, I'm going to change my life. I had the visual now. I had the vision board
photo of standing next to Dave Ramsey. I'm like, "Oh, I can do
this. I'm too close now." And it took four paychecks— And that's kind of where I always breakdown in my story, because it took four paychecks
for me to save the $100 to go to Financial Peace University. And it was the best four
paychecks I've ever had, to spend on that. And that's when my life began to change. I went every Sunday morning. I did not miss a session. And all the pieces fell together then. - Well, I think that's so powerful, because I think a big part of
doing my job is—I see people— I'll be at a big speaking
event with thousands of people, and I'm like, "I just want to
give everyone everything." But I feel like what you just said, though— the sacrifice you made to save up. It took four paychecks. And you remember it like it was yesterday. You said four paychecks
to save up the money to change your life and
do something different. And when you have skin in the game, - Yeah. - things start to change a little bit. - Absolutely. - And I think that that's important that you made the sacrifice
to start the sacrifice, if that makes sense. - Absolutely. - So, in Financial Peace University, you started to learn to budget. So, talk to me about, like,
the first couple months. You started budgeting. Was it perfect? Were there some mess-ups? What did life look like then? - So, at first, I had to find
an accountability partner, because I am single. And I sat down and had a
budget meeting with him. - So good. - So, I was really doing the
things that you have to do. The first budget meeting, he
was almost like a principal. He was like, "Tracy, what is this?" (laughter) You are $10 away from losing everything. And I was like, "I know, Travis. I know." And he was like,
"You have to get another job." I was like, "No, I can't get another job, because I'm single and then
I can't walk my dog at night," and all these—oh, my goodness—
every excuse in the book. And finally, he put his foot
down, and I was like, "Okay." And I went out, and I
found a part-time job. I had to increase my income. It just would not work
for me in what I had, because it was such a mess. It was such a mess. - Yes. - I had to do something else. - Thank God for Travis, right? We all need a Travis in our lives. Seriously. And that's huge to say, because we did talk about—
It takes a village to help. - Absolutely. - And getting people that
isn't your shopping buddy or your girlfriend that you lunch with, but legitimately, someone that is willing to say to you, "What is this?" Loving you really well—
maybe a little harsh— but worth it, and that's it. And so, you had to get that second job, which was probably a big sacrifice. - It was huge. - You're still in that second job, right? - I am. - And so, that's because
you are on Baby Step 2? - I am on Baby Step 2. - So, you're paying off the debt. - I am. - I have done amazing.
I think I've done amazing this past year, because I
only have two debts left. So, I will—Friday—be able
to pay off my car early. - Yes, you did, Tracy. Seriously? Oh, three months early. You won't have a car payment. - I will not have that
car payment anymore. - So, you'll only have one debt left. - I'll have one debt
that's extremely sizable, but the great thing about it is— in Financial Peace University— because that debt is so big, I have the tools of—really—
how to get that done in one year. So, my goal is this time next calendar year, I'm debt-free. - Yes! I have people on the show all the time that are just where you
are, and I always tell them, "Come back on the show." - Okay. - And tell us what it felt
like after your debt-free scream. And so, you're going to be
able to get a big raise once you have no payments. - Absolutely. - Because that income will
come in, and that'll be yours. But do you feel like now
that you've been budgeting and that you're intentional
where every dollar is going— Obviously, you've made incredible
progress in so many ways. Do you feel like you got a raise? - Absolutely. Purchasing things without guilt, to me, was a huge raise in itself too. It's just been truly
mind-blowing and amazing. - Wow. - Just not even having late fees. (crosstalk) - I mean, yes. - Is a raise in itself. - For sure. So, what category is in your budget? I know you just named a couple. Were you able to adjust? - Absolutely. I am vegan. I am able to do $50 a week,
and that's the sweet spot. I feel really good doing that. - And I love that, because
we talk all the time that you can eat healthy
while on a budget. But that is a priority for you. That's the other thing
about budgeting that I love is it's your budget. It's your life. And you get to shape it around not only being wise with money, but around what your
lifestyle needs and requires. And one of those for you
is being vegan, right? And so, you were able to up
your grocery category more, because other categories were in control, and you could lower. Well, you're such a testament, Tracy, of how to do it well. So, what would you tell even
yourself or someone watching out there who thinks, I'm
living paycheck to paycheck? Like, there's no way I can
turn my situation around. - I would definitely say, "Make the decision to go to
Financial Peace University." It is very uncomfortable. And I can say I do feel like a gazelle— that I've run a true marathon. But if you just actually do the steps the way they are designed,
you will see success. - It works. So, from the marathon, has
it been worth the run? - Goodness, yes. (laughter) I feel like I'm still running, but maybe just a 5k now. - Yeah, that's right! You can see the finish line,
and it's worth it. Awesome. You guys, if you want this progress, tried and true, like, here's
an example that you can do it. But you know what? First,
you have to decide, "I'm going to do it." And she took four
paychecks—that sacrifice— and so intentional—to
completely change her life. So, if you want to go through
Financial Peace University, click the link below. Not only is it the
proven plan to guide you and help you guys gain
control of your money, but it also opens up so many other ways to have conversations with
friends and family members and to get you and your
family on the right track. So, Tracy, Girl, I'm so glad
you could come on the show. Seriously. - Thank you for having
me. I appreciate it. - Thanks for sharing your story.
