In this issue of The Payoff Challenge:
Community Debt Payoff Snapshot
Submit your debt payoff totals for this week!
Dollar Designator: A simple envelope system budget app
Weekly Action: Offer Tutoring!
My Home Payoff Update
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This issue is brought to you by:
Community Debt Payoff Snapshot
Congrats to everyone who paid off debt this week! Let’s put this into a fun comparison.
We paid off a total of $706 last week! This is how much an Apple MacBook Neo costs. It used to be $600 which just goes to show this inflation is actually hitting products and affecting what people can afford. But that’s why we pay off debt and budget, so these kinds of things don’t ultimately affect us as much.
$235 was the average paid off, which is how much a discounted park hopper ticket to Disney World costs. Still $35 cheaper than the normal cost. Ooof.
$235 is also the equivalent of 63 gallons of chocolate milk. Not bad.
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!
Sponsorship
A Budget App Built to Help You SAVE for ANYTHING
Based on the envelope system, Dollar Designator makes it incredibly easy to spend and save within your means.
This is a budget app I had a direct hand in bringing to you all, so I’m really excited about it. You can try it completely risk free (no credit card required).
Puppy picture for attention.
Sure maybe the puppy picture was a cheap shot at you all who have a soft spot for animals. But listen, if you are wanting to get a dog, Dollar Designator is perfect for helping you save for one with a Puppy Envelope. Try it out, you’ll like it. Especially with the deal below.
Intro Offer:
The first 100 to sign up will get over 50% off their first full year of premium (only $24.95). Again, when you sign up, you’ll get a 60-day free trial which doesn’t require a credit or debit card.
Caleb’s Actionable Strategy
Tutor One Subject
I did this back in college. Someone reached out to me knowing I was an engineering student and asked if I’d tutor their high school student in trigonometry.
Action: This week, tell people (in person, on Facebook, etc) that you’re offering tutoring in a subject at which you excel.
What I like about tutoring is parents will do anything for their children to help them succeed. Obviously, you need to be actually capable of helping a student really grasp a subject. But tutoring doesn’t take as much marketing as many other side hustles because parents will sign their kids up if it’s a subject they know is a struggle.
When I was asked to tutor a high school student in trig, I actually told his mom I needed to catch up on the subject matter to teach it properly and if they wanted tutoring, I’d have to charge for that time too. Believe it or not, she didn’t even hesitate. Absolutely she would pay me that extra amount just so I could help her son.
I studied up on trig, helped her son get an A in his class, and I got an extra $500 as a junior in college. And wow, did that $500 feel like a lot back then. People will pay you to help their children do well in school!
Member Spotlight
I Want To Celebrate Your Wins!
But I need your help to do it. Get featured here for your 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).
297 days left
Mortgage Balance on January 1st, 2026: $70,000
Current Mortgage Balance: $50,507.14 (▼$206.98 since last week)
Balance paid off since start of challenge: $19,492.86
Source: Paycheck, a bonus, savings, interest, an Escrow surplus payment, 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
Not a crazy week like last week but we did have some extra come in through paychecks we hadn’t budgeted for so we put that $206 to the house. We’ll take it! Also we are now sub 300 days out.
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
