After falling for money traps over a decade ago, I climbed out of that mess through a proven money plan. Within 10 years, I went from negative net worth to debt-free millionaire. And if an average George like me can do it, I know you can too.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve felt frustrated when it comes to money. You’re not where you want to be financially, and you don’t have high hopes that it’ll get better anytime soon. Maybe you didn’t learn this stuff in school or at home, and now you’re a grown adult trying to filter through all the noise and opinions from ads, social media, friends and family. I get it.
Like none of you, I grew up as an Arabic Baptist (if you’re wondering what that means, it’s like Baptist but with way more hummus). My parents immigrated to the U.S. from the Middle East back in the ‘80s, and while they worked really hard to raise me and my brother, they quickly conformed to the American culture. Especially the money culture. The toxic one that says payments are normal, FICO scores are almighty, and college is a must, no matter how many loans it takes.
Naturally, I fell for those traps too. I financed my way all the way through my bachelor’s in communication from the University of Mobile using Sallie Mae’s Monopoly money. $36,000 in student loan debt and $4,000 in credit card debt later, the American Dream turned into the all-too-common American nightmare. I was anxious, frustrated and hopeless about my financial future.