Can you imagine what it would be like to pay off $500,000 of debt?
Well, our guest today did just that!
Christine and her husband, John, paid off more than $500,000 of debt and are now enjoying true financial freedom!
In this video interview with Christine Odle, you’ll learn:
- How hiring a financial coach helped Christine and John get started on their debt-free journey and led to a new career for Christine
- The one simple change that allowed them to easily cut their monthly spending by 20 – 40%
- Christine’s strategy for buying a brand new $32,000 car for only $24,000! (That’s a 25% discount!)
- Why they did nothing to celebrate becoming debt-free
- Christine’s advice for others who are wanting to get out of debt
- The best part of her debt-free journey. (It may surprise you!)
I want to thank Christine once again for sharing her story with us!
I love how they have achieved financial freedom and make it a point to enjoy their money while being generous with others and continuing to save at the same time.
It is truly inspiring to hear stories from others who have completed their own debt-free journey. It keeps us looking forward to what life will be like when we’re completely debt-free, as well.
Other Huge Debt Payoff Stories
If you want stories about people who have paid off huge amounts of debt, read these articles:
In Just 7 Years Alice and Scott Paid Off $200,000 In Debt
Learn About How Ron and Thu Paid Off $137,000 in 7 Years
Marian and Dave Paid off $120,000 in 3 Years
Easily Save Money With Paribus (Not a debt payoff story, but a sweet way to make passive income).
Now I’d love to hear about you!
What was your favorite part of Christine and John’s story? Which strategies can you use to help you achieve financial freedom faster? Please share in the comments below.
Have you joined our free private community on Facebook yet?
I invite you to join me in our private Facebook group called Your Debt Freedom Family, where we share more tips like this. We’ve got a fantastic community of people who are kicking debt to the curb so they can break free and live life on their terms.
I’d love to see you there!
Keep moving forward toward your goals. You really can live the life you dream about!

Team Our Debt Free Family is the administrative WordPress user account for Ourdebtfreefamily.com. Our Debt Free Family is a premium classic personal finance blog. Our mission is to inform, educate and help you get out of debt.
What a great interview! I know Christine and her story is inspiring. I love that she took a tough time in her life and now uses it to help others!
Thanks Emily!
Yes! She’s definitely an inspiration, Emily! Glad you enjoyed the interview. 🙂
I’m revisiting the blurb in the interview about being able to live off of $40,000 per year. The part that gets me is childcare… I really don’t think I’d be able to live off of that with childcare in the equation! But I like the concept of trying to think high-level about a budget and figuring out how to make it work, instead of allocating all of your dollars (with all “leftover” money going toward debt). Food for thought, for sure!
Hi Lindsay, I have to say, we don’t have kids. So, I understand the childcare dilema. Ultimately, that comes to a choice for your family. Can you do the rest of your budget on the $40k/year? Are there other options for childcare? And, how much more do you make by working vs childcare?
I loved listening to this interview! How cool is your story about laying off your husband to keep your employees during the recession. Good for you.
And I’d love to buy our next car with cash like that!!!
I agree with you, Lindsay! What a blessing that because they decided to get out of debt in 2001, they had the option to NOT lay off their employees when work slowed during the recession in 2009. That’s representation of true financial freedom, for sure!
What an impressive story of really rolling with the punches!
I agree, Pechluck! Glad you liked it!
Thanks Monica!
Thanks so much, Christine!
I can’t wait until I pay off even one of my student loans. Having debt feels like a boulder hanging above your head all the time. It can be so stressful!
Aw, I do know how that feels! There is a way out though! I’d be happy to help you create a plan. 🙂
Student Loans are the worst. List your loans smallest payoff to biggest, attack the smallest, helps to get one paid off! Gives you momentum!
Woah, that is seriously impressive. I’ve wondered about hiring a financial coach for my family’s own financial goals… I’m still on the fence!
Let me know if you want to chat, Catherine! You know how to find me. 🙂
Thanks Catherine. If you’d like help on deciding on financial coaching, please take me up on my free call offer. No pressure. Would love to help you get off the fence :-).
$500k totally paid off must feel SO freeing! Debt free is awesome!
I agree, Erin! Can’t wait until we’re 100% debt-free!!
Thanks Erin… it truly is freeing. Frees us up to do work we love and help others.
WHOA – $500K is amazing! Great work! I’ve bookmarked this and will have to watch the video when I have more time. Thanks for sharing their story!
Thanks, Marlynn! They are impressive!
Thanks Marlynn, we actually never looked at it as “impressive”, more like scary. And, so glad to be rid of it :-).
The car tip is great and very useful.
Glad you found it helpful, Meredith!
Meredith, it’s actually the second time we’ve done it. It’s so much fun to get a new car (that we hold on to for a long time) and know we got a deal. Let me know if I can help.
That is wonderful! We just paid off 100,000 and it’s the best feeling in the world.
Wow! Congratulations to you, Havalah!! That’s exciting!!
Havalah, THAT is AWESOME!!! What’s next?