Sharing Our Debt Free Journey from the Mountains of Appalachia 

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I'm a father of two who bought a house last year. For me, it was a major turning point! In addition to feeling the effects of the economic downturn, I'm lucky enough to enjoy a respectable monthly income from wise investments that I've made. I have therefore meticulously prepared for my retirement following my children's graduation from college.

My husband and I had been married for 34 years, and he passed away a little over a year ago. I miss him. It's hard to keep things going without him. You two are so fortunate to have each other. Cherish every moment.

My husband is the saver and I’m the spender. But, as of yesterday, I’m giving up going to Dunkin Donuts every morning before work and spending $30-40 a week on breakfast. That’s a savings of $120-160 a month! I planned out breakfasts to eat at home and I’m making my own iced coffee. I can’t wait to have some money in the bank! Thank you for this important video!

What Matt said: "There's nothing I want bad enough to make me go into debt to get it... I'll just do without." That's the recipe for success on this path. If there was such a thing as having a mantra, I can't think of a better one to have. At times, especially when it's easy to borrow, it can be hard to stick to. Keep his words in mind, folks.

Great story. It sure feels good to not owe anyone. My parents were very conservative and wouldn’t buy anything unless they had cash to pay for it. They are both in heaven now and I thank them in my prayers daily for everything they taught me. Here’s a good memory for me…. When I went into the Navy and finished my A school, I went home on leave and needed a new truck to commute home when I was not at sea. They went with me to purchase the truck and co-signed for the loan. My mom was adamant that I take the shortest loan as possible and send her my monthly payment and she would pay the bank. Three years later the truck was paid off and I came home on leave. They handed me the title and an envelope with a substantial amount of cash in it. Without me knowing, they had paid off the truck immediately and put what would have been the interest into the envelope to present to me when I came home. A life lesson I will never forget. I miss my mom and dad tremendously and am so grateful for their love and life lessons.

My husband and I took the Financial Peace University classes at our church the fall after our oldest daughter had gotten married. We had mortgage, car payment, wedding expenses and some other regular monthly bills and were always fighting about money. The course helped us get ourselves organized with a budget and we learned how to talk about money without blaming and arguing. With what we learned, we were able to pay off our mortgage seven years early and I was able to retire a couple of years early too. We are both retired now, totally debt free including the house, and so happy to be.

I’ve really enjoyed the advice from you both. I’m a Widow who Struggles at times. But, God has seen Me through.

Dear 'Tipper' and Matt, I cannot put into words just how warm and comforting your videos are. I am disabled, live in England with my husband, a recent cancer survivor. I will be copying you to my eldest daughter Grace, in the certain knowledge she will love you both as much as I do. Rather than go into too much detail, debt free life is the only way to live a relatively free and loving grateful life. Roma, a 70 year old teenager hails you from afar!

My husband and I have been married for 53 years, and we are debt free, I agree that it's a wonderful feeling. Glory to God.

Thank you!! A modest income goes along way when you are debt free! That is a blessing:) and no better feeling than to be in a financial situation to bless others ❤!

I always love to hear when people are debt free! We have no debt and we pay cash for everything. If we don’t have the money to pay cash for something then we don’t buy it. So glad your girls took the course and I know they will be grateful that y’all made them take it. I’m so glad you shared this and hopefully it will encourage others to start their debt free journey.

Five years ago we sold our home in Oregon and made enough to pay off that mortgage. We moved to southern Alabama and bought a larger home on 2.5 acres for cash, left over from the sale and move. We are debt free and if there is anything we need we save for it. Owe no man but to love him.

So good you encouraged your daughters to take the class too! I too am debt free and feel just like you, never want debt again! Love you both!

So happy for you! My wife and I were so debt-riddled we were living paycheck-to-paycheck for awhile. Now we've paid off some debts and are rolling that money into others. We hope to be where you are in a few short years. Thank you for sharing your hard-earned wisdom. God bless!

Like you two, being debt free feels better than anything material money can buy. I too have lived under the pressure of debt and know the misery of debt slavery. The freedom and peace being debt free gives is worth the effort and all. I hope my 17 year old believes this way of living and never has to feel the pressure of debt to embrace being debt free. Thanks you all for sharing your story.

Tipper, I always knew that you and your family are special, kind and Godly people. But after this video I’m certain. Your goodness and kindness shines through!! God bless you and your family.

Debt free equals stress free living. Only thing that scares me is unexpected medical bills, insurance is not always easy to deal with!! Glad things are looking sunny for ya’ll💛☀️💛

You have done a great job in getting a much needed message out to our young people.

I’m not debt free but I am able to live within my means. Thank goodness no credit card debt. My strategy is saving money for property taxes, insurance, emergency money, pet vet bills, etc. every month set aside into separate sub accounts as automatic transfers. Gives me peace of mind knowing the money will be there when I need it. It’s terrible the stress money (or not enough) can cause you until you figure it out. Never heard of Mr Ramsey but I will tell my family about him. Thanks again for sharing and more good advice!

👋🏾It took my husband a year to convince me to even read Dave Ramsey’s book on financial peace, but I finally did and it was game on! Financially we were sick and tired of being sick and tired! With God’s help, we paid off a whole bunch of debt in five years. Now we’re both retired and are so glad we lived like no one else for those five years so we can LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE NOW. Praise the Lord👏🏾👏🏾! Watching your videos takes me back to my childhood and being raised by my grandparents. You’re a lovely, refreshing family. God bless.

It's so much easier when both people are on the journey together. It's been 26 years of two people with two completely different perspectives on finances. I applaud you both for working as a TEAM! It's what happens when you are "equally yoked" pulling in the same direction Spiritually and in everyday life!

I learned the out of debt idea through the money wise guys decades ago! Since my husband and I’ve been married 10 years we’ve paid off 3 homes, 4 th & last us being paid off fast. The mortgage is the only debt we have and anticipate. That being paid off in 1-2 years. We have no vehicle payments! I personally have not had one since the late 90’s! Love not having payments!!! And it does free you up more to give!

This is such a much needed video to encourage people to make a decision to work and plan on getting out of debt so they can live better and with less stress. I got Dave Ramey’s books many years ago and got motivated to do it. Now in my sixties I’m so glad I did. Local libraries usually have his books and a lot of churches offer his classes. I enjoyed hearing y’all journey of getting out of debt ❤

You two do a wonderful job of listening to each other, allowing one another to finish their thought, and sometimes repeat back what you heard as well. You do it so naturally but it’s a recipe for a healthy and happy marriage. Stay blessed and thank you for the tips!

Life goes by fast for sure! Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University really works. I am a grad and a fan of debt free living-it is achievable and the peace it provides is priceless. No shiny bauble or car or trip is worth going into debt for. I love to bless others - it's a gift to yourself that others benefit from. Thank you both for a highlighting a key element to live your best life!

Debt free for 16 years, it's a great feeling

Matt is a hoot! Thank you for sharing your life stories with us. Have a blessed evening.😊

Congratulations for going on 29 yrs of marriage and living debt free. Financial peace is a blessing. Thank you for wholesome videos!

Great message for us on being debt free. I love you and your family and your down to earth living.

My husband and I did the same paid off our house and any debt we had.Wasn’t much. Then we both retired. What a great feeling not to owe anything. We both got our time back in to retired. We even had a savings account. But what a great feeling to be indebt free.ps. We never lived high on the hog. My husband started trade school to be a union carpenter and I start ed working at 15. And retired from our local school district. I’m glad we were able to retire when we did. Debt free felt so good.

We got out of debt when we were 50. It is wonderful! We are like you all b/c we never made a lot of money but feel well off because we have no financial pressure even in these times of high inflation. We are from southwest VA and identify with your country life totally. I wouldn’t want to live any other way. Love to you all! Joan

Fascinating story. Thanks for putting it together. In North America, the psychology of debt is so pervasive. You guys are very fortunate to have broken free of the 'group think' of revolving credit and debt. You are both way smarter than you think. Praise the Lord! Yes, Tipper! Get it in writing. I always tell insurance companies and medical practitioners that THEY too are being recorded on any phone call (I usually say it while they are shuffling me around on the phone). The idea everywhere now is to keep the consumer as confused as possible. I've actually heard executives say those very words behind closed doors in just about every industry I have worked in. BTW: Matt you are not 'backwards'. You remind me of my dad: Hard working, serious, modest and devoted. When you are those things... sometimes extra-curricular social engagements are the thing you dread the most. My dad had a sense of humor, but most people thought he was backwards. This is because he had a very low tolerance for idle BS. Job well done, you two. God bless and protect you and your family.

This is officially my favorite Celebrating Appalachia video! Matt had me laughing out loud for the first two minutes! And the story of how you two worked to get yourselves debt free was inspiring. Thank you both (and the girls & granny & Austin) for sharing your lives with us here on this channel. Wishing you all a blessed Easter.

Y’all put me in mind of my brother in law and sister , they work 80 acres and work , they get out everyday after working him Caterpillar and sister logging company , every day they are out working the land . So much so that they give as much as you can eat , tomatoes , squash , okra , cucumbers, watermelon etc , to both plants and family and friends for free . They live in Pocahontas Tn , and you’ couldn’t find a speak of dust in their house , but Matt has the personality of Chris and Tipper reminds me of my sister … I could start my you tube channel just by these two .

May the Lord use this good advise to bless someone to get help them get out of debt! So good! On the flip side, whenever long lost acquaintances start coming out of the woodwork to see if they can borrow money, you’ll have to tell them it’s tied up in CD’s.😂

Hi Mat and Tipper. I just want to thank you for posting this video. I have been watching you for a long time and enjoy everything you do. I was so happy to hear the joy in your voices when you talk about being debt free. My husband and I also became debt free about 10 years ago. Fortunately my husband is very wise and we didn't have to go through a class. We just made every effort to live below our means and that was the way we were able to save and move up (buy a bigger house, get nice cars...). We were very fortunate to be able to pay for our daughter's college too so he would not be saddled with huge student loans. I truly agree that it's such a HUGE BLESSING to be able to help others too. I hope that all your viewers that are struggling with debt will listen to this video and make a move that will change their lives for the better. I pray for you and your family that God will continue to bless you with love and success on everything you do. And Congratulations on the grand babies! Take care. I love you.

Amazing testimony and much congratulations being debt free. My health insurance (along with auto, flood, homeowner's) is very expensive but I do my best to stay debt free

Thank you!!! Y’all are like us , my husband and I been 36 years!!! Common folk!!!! Thank you!!!!

You two are so smart for taking the debt free class! Thank you for sharing your experience and struggles.

Loving this talk! Always worked on my budget. At the end of the year that is what I do. Retirement has been a big problem for us. Retirement money has not been as much has we would like to have, so here is where a good budget helps Keeps you on track. It works and being faithful in making the budget work helps us . Our children are good in helping and we ask God to help us to stay on track. Thanking God for all the blessing he gives to us.

You both are so precious! I am glad that you are debt free. What a blessing for Miss Cindy to bless y’all like that! Praise God!

This is a wonderful way to bless your family by taking this path. I did as a single mom with 2 children. Little did I know but my youngest son was watching me do this. He is grown and living life using the same tools Dave Ramsey taught us. 👍

I remember reading Blind Pig and the Acorn blog on an old computer with dial up when I was in grade school. It's fun to still hear from you today, now I'm married, in my 30's, with 4th child on the way!

So blessed by the Lord, To be debt free..been married 38 years, and our daughter n son in law have been married 17, and are debt free..alot of doing without things we wanted n some things we needed, and had to trust the Lord for..we love to get to bless others, and not let it be known if at all possible..Gods good to me n my family..loved yalls testimony of yalls journey to be debt free..tfs.

I love watching the two of you, together. It’s like having friends over for a chat.

Tipper, Matt really surprised you saying he'd take that class! I got a good giggle out of that since you were convinced he'd never do it. I'm glad to hear your story and what happened with your debt. I've been retired for a while, but I don't have a retirement, just social security retirement. I am 67, was always a hiker, so five years ago I decided to dog sit for people while they're on vacation. It's worked out! But 2020 and 2021 was stifling and I got into dome debt. It was around $2000, but that was a lot for me. I've managed to get it down about $600, but this year I have a lot of work, so I intend to have that paid off soon. I don't feel like I'm drowning in debt, but I worry about it. Your talk has helped me to realize I can cut back on certain things. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Blessings sent.

My Granddaughter and her husband are debt free doing the Ramsey program. She's a nurse and he's a police officer. They have 4 children...one 18 still living at home...working...and 3 younger. It took them a little over 2 years. They told us all about it, and we are doing the same thing. We've paid off a lot of debt in the last year. If everything goes like it is now, and my husband and I stay healthy, and the work holds up...in one year everything will be paid off except the house, and we'll be working on that. I love climbing in my 2006 Lancer...with no payments...she gets me where I need to go. Thank you for the encouragement to keep going. Congratulations to you both!

Tipper and Matt.....Thank you for this video!!!! Not sure which I enjoyed more....the financial advice or the REAL interaction with you and Matt!! I loved that! God Bless you both!!

What a delightful couple (and family) you all are. I enjoy stopping by RU-vid every now and then to watch you from up here in Canada. You are such an inspiration to all. You are “salt of the earth” people. I love learning about your food, culture, and love your southern accent. You would probably think I have the accent LOL. I wish you at least another 29 years of peace, joy, love, and prosperity. Thanks for sharing your life’s journey with us.

Well, you sound like us. Raising 3 kids check to check. Now we are grandparents and own our house and cars. No debt but boy those were hard years. 45 years later and we're still together. Life is easy now😊

Your videos are the best. So real, so authentic. The true joy on your faces when saying how wonderful it feels to be debt free...Congrats. I think you two are the most relatable couples on RU-vid. Love popsicle time in the garden, your cooking and when Matt cooked on that colman stove.

We went into the bank on our 15th wedding anniversary and paid off our mortgage (2016). It was a calm-on-the-outside but great excitement deep within kind of moment. You work so long for it you have to live with the shock of it for a while.

I genuinely think God put this video on my feed for a reason today. 4 days ago I started a hobby business with my crochet abilities. With the goal in mind to pay off my husbands and I’s two credit cards. Like your story right now we live paycheck to paycheck. I am raising our almost 3 and almost 5 year old. I’m disabled and limited on what I can physically do for work. I too have been going to physical therapy for a year now for my feet and ankles (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). On my birthday I received a bit of money and decided to use it to buy yarn to make something I could sell. It worked and I’ve quickly gotten orders for more. I told my husband it is my goal to use the skills God has given me to slowly but surely get us out of debt. I needed this info! Thank you Tipper. This video is blessing me with some info I needed. And my question is if one card is carrying a lot more with higher interest shouldn’t that be paid off first or should I just start with the one that has less and less interest? I will look up an audio book from Dave Ramsey to listen to while I crochet. I’m on a mission and there is no stopping me

" We've spent more time together than we've spent apart " That's a Blessing! Congratulations 🤗God Bless!

Thankful you did this video…folks will get the benefit of your journey I am a big advocate of being debt free. Its the most freeing feeling.

Congrats on getting debt free!!! I watch Dave Ramsay on RU-vid every single day. I always learn something. Being debt free is the only way to go. No more worrying. No more robbing Peter to pay Paul. It's the best!

What a great story. You can’t spend more than you earned. My mother in-law always said, if you make $100 put away $50. I didn’t believe her now she’s a millionaire. I’m still poor. But didn’t owed any debts though. Just don’t have an income each month or week. I told my children to follow my mother in-law advice now they’re debt free in their 30s. Thank you for sharing your experience and may the Lord bless you and your families.🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️

This video just popped up after being subscribed to you for a while now and it's odd because this is exactly what I needed to see right now. Thanks for making this video and all the other videos honestly. I know you guys are in the Georgia area, but I'm from the Shenandoah Valley originally and you are my people, I feel like I'm back home watching your videos. Much Love.

There is no better feeling as when you make that last mortgage payment and you don’t owe anyone anything!

Matt jokes about being married but I think he's as happy and content as a pig in the mud. Congratulations on 29 years. Many more!

Thank you both for the inspiration! Good to hear from those who’ve been through it. Debt is slavery into which you sell yourself, my mommy told me for years and it was a hard lesson for me to learn.

Mortgage and transport are essentials in the early days , we had camping holidays which were wonderful. My late husband always said you have to love what you have and make together. Wise words. ⭐️🥰🇬🇧

Thanks Tipper and Matt it’s so easy see ourselves in you both. We love your honesty and willingness to share your lives with us. Can’t wait for each new episode and Tipper reading from her favorite books.

Thank you so much you have opened my eyes up, I live in the UK & I spend way to much on shopping like you don't look in the cupboards. Me and my husband has been together 50 years and been married 47 years, Now I'm going to start saving money once again thank you 🇬🇧

My husband and I live in Robbinsville and married 33 years. We got out of debt in 2006 but during 2020 we had to take over my elderly parents home so we are back into debt for hopefully a short period of time. We are back on a journey that we didn’t expect at our age but hearing y’all talk about your story has set a fire under us to do it again! Thank you for sharing

I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on becoming debt free. God bless you both.

Tipper & Matt, You just told my husband and my story. We lived the same way for 40 years and then got out of debt also. God is so good! He has a plan. Miss Cindy was part of that plan when you started your debt free journey. I really enjoy your channel and thank you for sharing all areas of your life.

I love the little nuggets of your interactions you share with us. You are both such funny, wonderful people.

Thank you both so much for sharing your journey. You’re right, life goes by so quickly. The schools need to teach this to kids. Being debt free is such an amazing and peaceful feeling. If only we didn’t have to pay power bills right???? Oh & insurance but, it’s great knowing that’s all you have to worry about. Have a very blessed week leading up to Easter. 😊❤😊🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Thank U, for your informative encouraging videos and the girls music & Granny,ur story reading, its entertaing,keep up the good work may God continue to bless U & Ur'

That's an awesome and inspirational story. I finally got debt free and I love it. I pay cash or I don't get it. My wife doesn't particularly like it sometimes but if we need it, we save until we can buy it. Matt, I'm in Kentucky. If you ever want to hunt here, you're more than welcome to. I'd like to talk guns, gear, and hunting with you.

I followed a book called Your Money or Your Life and The Tightwad Gazette. I am not into religious stuff -but being debt free is a great feeling

Yall are a wonderful inspiration to me. I'm trying hard to get out of debt but it just seems that no matter what my wife and I do everything goes all to pieces about the time things start looking up. We won't quit because we're not quitters.

You two are delightful. Thanks for being so honest and helpful.

This is a great video Matt and Tipper. It's going to help encourage people. Times are hard for so many and really people have always struggled.

My husband & I are doing exactly the same thing. If we’d been thinking , yes pay the mortgage first off. Like you say, so many things happen that are needed. And to have the good common sense to make the right decisions in getting out of debt. I so enjoyed this video & to know that others are like us. Thank you so much, for sharing.

We went on our own debt-free journey many years before Dave Ramsey started his program. I think he is very wise on how he advises people. We were able to retire when we were 51 years old due to living a debt-free life. It is a wonderful example to show and teach your children. We would not do this any other way. We have been blessed immensely. Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging others to share their story as well. It is a good feeling to help others be debt-free as well.

Good for you. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.

Thank you for sharing your life with us. Good people representing community and fellowship that we all grew up on and miss in these challenging times. I watch channels like yours instead of TV and have for years. ❤😊

Thanks for sharing. I am debt free and thankful for the same things you are thankful for.

You two are the cutest couple. So lovely you have had so many years together. ❤❤❤😊

Matt would have a hard time finding a wonderful woman like you! 💐👸🏻💐 Y’all are sweet!

Can't wait to watch this one. I'm always fascinated to find out how people clawed their way out of debt over the years. My hubby and I are still working towards that goal. We've had some serious financial setbacks in our 35 years but we're hanging in there.

Omg he's funny and she's just great, love her pure soul and cooking expertise. Ty!!!

It’s so important to understand your finances and live where debt is not the norm. We have been blessed and being self employed in farming for 30+ yrs has been challenging. We have had to separate our personal finances with our business. 12 years left to pay on our house and we are debt free. That will be the best day for us. My husband always has said never put a second mortgage on your home or land unless it’s a life or death situation. Buying good used cars and paying cash has helped us keep our finances in check. Not always fun but worth it. ❤😊thanks for the great video😊❤

Oh boy Miss Tipper I was afflicted with that same malady and went to P.T.. Yep they taught me to climb the wall and go a little higher every day. I'm good now, but I do try to boogy woogy around the house every other day with some good music, like a good old toe tapping fiddle tune by Kory and Katie. We kept a no fee credit card for emergencies and got it paid off. But last year they said they would cancel the card unless we used it. Can't win. Oh well we used it for a little purchase and make double the minimum payment so we have it almost gone now. Stay away from the suckers! I love you all.

Thank you for this talk about how Dave Ramsey gave you instructions on how to organise yourselves out of debt. I'm at a point in my life where this may be the most important thing I learn this year.

I definitely spent way more on groceries than I had to. Once I realized it , I saved a lot of money.

Thank you for sharing you story!! A blessing as always to watch and hear your great stories. Congratulations on being debt free

I watched this video and the recent Q and A. My husband and I are such homebodies and do not go on vacation. I am amazed when people go on vacation and use debt to do it. It was nice to hear you believe how we believe regarding paying off debt. We also went on that journey and are now debt free. Still, we do not do anything extravagant but there is no panic if/when we want to buy something. Recently, we have been upgrading the furniture in our home from all the second-hand items/hand-me-downs. It has been interesting to have to choose a piece of furniture, when, in the past, we simply accepted whatever anyone gave us.

This is one of my most favorite videos you’ve made. Thank you! So inspiring! ❤️❤️❤️

My church did Dave Ramsey for everyone. We saw how life changing it was, so we did free classes for young couples from the community. We paid for the courses and provided the moderators. We did that for several years but gradually people were not interested even though living on debt was increasing. Because of that course at seventy plus with my social security and a small monthly pension I now have more spendable income then I did during my 40s through sixty. Because of what I learned despite the looming disasters coming I have enough solid assets and preparation to make it for a very long time.

Excellent video!! My husband and I are retired school teachers. We aren't debt free but hope to be so soon and your story is something my Dad tried to teach all of us. But one reason is I have always been a 'helper'. My Dad always told me I was like my little Irish grandmother, his mother, in my giving!! I have helped many of my siblings when they needed it. I am the second of 7 and I am blessed to have been able to do for someone who needs help. I will do as much as possible. Thankfully all are financially stable now. God blessed you both. You are a great couple to watch.

God has blessed our family to be in a very good place financially, giving Him the glory for sure. To me the Lord does provide prosperity when we give, have giving hearts. My husband and I went briefly to Dave Ramsey's class many years ago. Being small family business owners his philosophy to talk down prices offended me especially and we never went back to the class. When people are running a small business and making slim profits it offended me to hear him teach class attendees to try to see how much less the business owner will take. Anyway, mostly my thoughts are to say God blesses a cheerful giver and we've been thankful for prosperity.

I celebrate with you and Matt for being debt free. God Bless you both

You're so right! Don't go into debt for frivolous reasons. God bless

Glad you're debtfree it means so much,and your girls learning from this too. It takes the pressure off that's for sure.

This is great advice. I didn't know it had a name - snowballing. I did that when we had 2 student loans and 2 car payments that we wanted to get rid of. Since they all had about the same balance, I paid off the ones with the higher interest rates first and then applied that money to the others as we paid them off. It really does give you a feeling of satisfaction and relief when that debt is gone.

Always watch your videos. Must say this was one of the best. My husband and I can relate to you guys. Became debt free in 1991, amazing feeling. We are old enough to be your parents. Lol. Great to see a young couple doing what we did. Huge difference between wants and needs.