By Stephanie in TX

I bought and fell in love with a BEAUTIFUL house in 2003 and have literally paid the price ever since. I've had nothing but money problems after that fateful decision. I'm a single person with a mortgage and $15,000 in credit card debt. I was teetering on the edge month after month. Any little problem sent shockwaves of fear and anxiety.

Last year I had an electrical fire in the attic with caused extensive damage to the back one-third of the home. I didn't know how I was going to pay for anything not covered by the insurance. I began having headaches that lasted for days. I was having irregular heartbeats and went to the doctor more and more. I just knew I couldn't handle the extra debt.

I found my solution in refinancing my home. My financial advisor gave me The Total Money Makeover to read. I devoured the book cover to cover. Wanting to take control of my life, I decided to sell my home, leave a bad relationship, and go to grad school to become a principal!

My house is currently on the market. It will sell for enough to pay off the house, my debt, my new fire debt, AND GIVE ME SOME MONEY IN THE BANK. The stress is already gone. The sun is brighter. The flowers are sweeter. I'm reading Financial Peace Revisited to keep me from making those mistakes again.

Thanks, Dave and Sharon!