Debt-free living

Published March 9, 2015
By Senior Airman Tiffany DeNault
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 10 Airmen who attended the debt-free living professional development class March 5, 2015 at the Force Development Center received valuable advice.

Living debt-free may sound like a struggle to quite a few people but there is always a way out of debt if you work for it. Hugo Escobar, who has been teaching this class for two years, is a community readiness consultant at the Airman and Family Readiness Center and a major in the 302nd Force Support Squadron as the sustainment services flight commander.

He began the class by saying thank you for being financially proactive to take the time to invest in their selves, and that money is easy to manage -- cash is power.

The reasons for attending the class varied across the room, from needing help to start a budget to having a good budget system and just wanting to improve it. The one thing the whole class did agree on was the desire to save more money.

"I like to give ideas to people on how to think outside of the box on areas that they haven't thought about with their finances and being proactive about them," said Escobar. "That there is a solution to their financial question and/or struggle that they may have."

Escobar shared some of his personal triumphs but also a lot of his own lessons learned in finances. The instructor shared his own struggles to learn from and to assure the class that everyone has to start somewhere to be successful in the long run. He spent some time explaining the different money personalities, budgets, the debt cycle and a brief but to the point way to get out of debt.

He explained each topic with easily understood terms making finances seem less intimidating and more motivational to conquer. He also referred to Dave Ramsey's major financial struggles and how he worked his way out of major debt to becoming a multimillionaire. Ramsey speaks on the local radio station, 105.5 KRDO, from 1-4 p.m., and has several YouTube videos on finances.

"This class was awesome," said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Custer, 21st Dental Squadron dental lab technician. "I have gone to a couple of his classes before and what I got out of this class was that cash is power."

For information on how to start a budget or general help with financial concerns call the A&FRC at 556-6141 and ask for a financial counselor.

The Force Development Center holds many professional development courses for the members of Team Pete to attend. Call 556-9226 or 556-9158 for class information and to register.