In this issue of The Payoff Challenge:
Community Debt Payoff Snapshot
Submit your debt payoff totals for this week!
Weekly Action: Switch Your Phone Plan
Money News: March Jobs Outlook Positive
My Home Payoff Update
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Community Debt Payoff Snapshot
Congrats to the everyone who paid off some debt this week! Let’s put this into a fun comparison.
We paid off a total of $786 last week! That’s like a full year of wireless unlimited service for one person. By the way, if this is you, you should switch to Mint Mobile like us. See my weekly actionable strategy below!
$262 was the average paid off, which is like a single park hopper ticket to Disney World. ‘Tis unfortunate that it is only a single ticket, but alas, magic ain’t free.
$262 is also the equivalent of 71 gallons of chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is kinda magical and a good Disney World substitute.
Numbers only move if people act—which brings us to this week’s check-in!
Weekly Check In!
How Much Did You Pay Off This Week?
⏱ Takes under 60 seconds. Any amount. Any debt.
This isn’t about how big the number is—it’s about progress. If you haven’t made a payment yet, consider this your nudge to go make one right now. Missed a week? Just submit the total since your last entry.
Submissions will be included in future week’s Snapshots!
Caleb’s Actionable Strategy
Switch Your Mobile Service Plan
No seriously, there’s so many discounted services nowadays!
Action: This week, shop around your mobile service plan.
We switched to Mint Mobile in 2024 and haven’t looked back. Their unlimited plan for one person only costs $360 for the year plus tax (so only $30 per month).
We don’t even use unlimited, though. We go with their cheapest plan since we normally have wifi for other streaming etc. It gets us 5 GB of data with unlimited talk and text for only $15 per month. Not bad!
Check out these options to get you started:
All that savings on your phone plan can fuel your the payoff of your next debt. Stop putting it off and switch to something cheaper!
Member Spotlight
I Want To Celebrate Your Wins!
But I can’t do that if you don’t tell me about it. So fill out this short form about the debt you’ve paid off and your current wins!
Any amount of debt payoff is worth celebrating here in the member spotlight.
Personal Financial News
Jobs Report Positive for March
I know there’s always some level of uncertainty when it comes to job security and paying off debt. But the good news is, according to the March jobs report, it appears jobs are being added at a greater-than-expected rate.
While people’s spending tends to increase during good economic times, be wary!
Your take-away: While job confidence is high, tighten your spending and continue paying off debt as quickly as possible.
Good times are perfect for preparing for the tougher ones. When the economy and jobs outlook inevitably shifts, you’ll be glad you have less financial liability. Read more here.
Caleb’s Challenge Update
Progress We Made Towards Our Payoff
Goal: Pay off our remaining mortgage ($70k) by our 10-year anniversary on June 17, 2027.
423 days left
Mortgage Balance on January 1st, 2026: $70,000
Current Mortgage Balance: $63,837.36 (▼$200 since last week)
Balance paid off since start of challenge: $6162.64
Source: Paycheck, savings, interest, Etsy poster sales, scrap metal
*This includes monthly principal payments as well as additional payments.
Current Mortgage Balance
Just another week of pulling $200 from our home savings fund to pay it down a bit this week. It’s kinda crazy that we’re down over $6k since the beginning of the year.
Refer a friend and receive my quick-start guide for saving money TODAY on your existing expenses.
That’s it for this week! I already can’t wait for next couple week’s editions as we start getting numbers to include. If you have any feedback, respond to this email or drop me a line at [email protected].
Till next week!
Caleb
