Debt isn’t just a number. It’s a heavy weight. One that follows you, stresses you out, and makes everything feel harder than it should.

I know that weight.

My wife and I started out with a mountain of debt. Not just a couple credit cards or a car loan — I’m talking about serious student loan pressure. The kind that makes your future feel out of reach before you’ve even taken the first step.

---

The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything

There was a time when we had almost nothing.

We lived in a tiny studio apartment. We had a dog, shared meals, and took the bus to work. No savings. No backup plan. Just two people trying to make it day by day.

We didn’t come from money. No one handed us a path. But we did have two things that changed everything: discipline and a shared vision.

We decided to tackle that mountain of debt head-on. Every bonus, every tax refund, every spare dollar — it all went straight to those loans. We lived small, stayed focused, and stayed in the fight.

Yes, we were lucky in some ways. But more than anything, we were committed. That season taught us how to live with purpose, how to fight for our goals, and how to build habits that still serve us today.

---

Debt Doesn’t Define You – But It Will Challenge You

Here’s the truth:

You can’t build a strong future if debt is running the show.

Debt makes life heavier. It limits your options. It delays your dreams. It adds pressure to every decision.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can fight back — and you can win.

---

How to Start Taking Control

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need a plan that works.

Here’s how to get started:

1. List every debt you have. Include everything — credit cards, loans, store balances. Rank them from highest interest rate to lowest.

2. Start with the one costing you the most. That’s where the real damage happens. Focus all your extra money on paying that one down first, while keeping minimum payments on the rest.

This method is called the “Debt Avalanche.” It saves you more in the long run.

If small wins matter more to you right now, try the “Debt Snowball.” That means paying off your smallest debt first to build momentum, then rolling that payment into the next.

Whichever you choose, just start. You can always adjust later — but momentum is everything.

---

How We Got Creative

We didn’t have a lot of extra cash. So I got strategic.

I moved debt to 0% interest cards when I could. That gave us room to breathe. I earned rewards without ever paying interest. I studied the fine print and found ways to make the system work for us instead of against us.

Every smart move brought us one step closer.

There’s always a way forward — if you’re willing to lead your money instead of letting it lead you.

---

Why This Matters for Your Legacy

Debt stands between you and the life you were made for. But it doesn’t have to be the end of your story.

This is how legacy begins — not with wealth, but with ownership. With intention. With grit.

Your legacy doesn’t start with a big paycheck. It starts when you decide to lead, even when it’s hard.

---

Your Challenge This Week

Let’s go. This is where the shift begins.

Here’s what I want you to do:

• Write down every debt you owe (even the ones you’ve been avoiding)
• Pick a method: snowball or avalanche
• Choose the first debt to attack and start now

You don’t have to fix everything overnight. But you do have to take the first step.

You’re not just getting out of debt — you’re building a foundation that will hold your legacy for years to come.

To Your Legacy,

Chris Witmer
Founder, Legacy Wealth HQ