In this issue of The Payoff Challenge:
Community Debt Payoff Snapshot
Submit your debt payoff totals for this week!
Weekly Action: Shop with Cash Only
My Home Payoff Update
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Community Debt Payoff Snapshot
Only one submission this week (me lol) but that’s ok, still progress. Let’s put this into a fun comparison.
We paid off a total of $200 last week! This is like the cost of a prettttty nice coffee maker. Someday I’ll upgrade from my Mr. Coffee drip machine.
$200 is also the equivalent of 54 gallons of chocolate milk. That’s a lot of protein. And a lot of sugar.
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
Shop with Cash Only
I know, not the simplest thing to do nowadays, but it’s worth it to stay out of debt.
Action: This week, if you go shopping, leave your card and take actual cash.
Psychologically, cash makes a big difference over using a card when it comes to how much you spend. Cash is something physical you hand over whereas with a card, you never give up anything physical when you pay. You swipe, insert or tap. When you use cash, it actually hurts to give it up.
If you use cash, you’ll spend less. And if you go to the store with cash, you’ll only have so much to spend until you’re out. Noice.
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.
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 (less than a year left).
353 days left
Mortgage Balance on January 1st, 2026: $70,000
Current Mortgage Balance: $59,533.70 (▼$200 since last week)
Balance paid off since start of challenge: $10,466.30
Source: Paycheck, savings, interest, Etsy poster sales, selling scrap metal, a bicycle, a TV cabinet, and a laptop
*This includes monthly principal payments as well as additional payments.
Current Mortgage Balance
Just $200 from savings this week.
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
