“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” -Agatha Christie
Recently, a Financial Fitness success story was shared on the personal blog of Financial Fitness customer, Robby Palmer. It was so well-writen and engaging that we wanted to share the story with you here. Congratulations and thank you to Robby and Emily Palmer for sharing your journey out of the financial matrix (and some transparent humor) with us. Here’s the story, through the written words of Robby Palmer:
Robby and Emily Palmer Escape the Financial Matrix
The Financial Fitness Program is absolutely brilliant; it is truly designed to help people escape the scam of the Financial Matrix. Author, Orrin Woodward, describes it best when he mentions in the book the fantasy world we’re living in. My beautiful and most loyal and supportive wife, Emily Palmer, and I weren’t just trapped in the financial matrix, we were being crushed by it. Not too long ago, we were at our ultimate low. What we found was that the burden of finances was destroying everything else in our life. There was not much joy, and there was a lot of depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
However, this article is meant to be fun. So, it is our hope that you find humor in our struggles. Emily and I are in no way perfect, but we have come a long way. We were $100,000 in previous self-employed business debt–outside of our home–and we literally had nothing left to show for it. I am going to list some of the mistakes we were making, that led us to this bottomless pit. Have some fun, enjoy laughing at us and our silliness, but hopefully you can learn from our mistakes. Hopefully, you and your family will find warning in our mishaps.
Top Signs that you need to dig in to the Financial Fitness Program as soon as you possibly can:
- #1 – If you have ever switched banks, because the overdraft fee on the checking account was too much money, you might need the Financial Fitness Program!
- #2 – If you have ever gone into debt, to pay a debt, you definitely need the Financial Fitness Program!
- #3 – If you have ever used a credit card, that had an available credit balance of less than $5-10, to fill your gas tank, because you know they only pre-approve at the gas pump for a dollar, and there is no other way to fill the tank, you might just need the Financial Fitness Program!
- #4 – If you have ever made a purchase decision, based upon what your mobile device is telling you your account balance is, you may just need to dig into the Financial Fitness Program.
- How many times do you buy something, just to find out that the account balance was missing 3 or 4 items that hadn’t gone through, and then you overdraft.
- #5 – If your account has ever been charged 5 overdraft fees on the same day, you need to stop reading this right now, and start digging into the Financial Fitness Program.
- #6 – If your heart rate increases when you swipe your credit/debit card to make a purchase, because you’re just not sure if it will clear, add some years to your life, and dig into the Financial Fitness Program.
- For Emily and I, tracking…. just tracking alone made a HUGE difference. Knowing where we were at, and not having to check, or to wonder. There is help out there! It may even save your marriage! It is worth it folks, just to add a little discipline.
- #7 – If you have ever randomly placed items from your shopping cart, back onto a shelf in the checkout line, because you started adding up the bill while you waited in line, you deserve the hope that the Financial Fitness Program can bring. No mother should have to bargain the nutrition of her children. Every child deserves to eat healthy.
- Emily and I always have a small joke about a billboard we pass by on I-15 that reads “1 in 5 children suffer from hunger.” In our 5 kids, that is Lulu (Kaylee); sometimes it seems as though she never eats anything. However, when we started to have a better budget for groceries–when we were able to purchase nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and more–believe it or not, little Lulu loves these things. We sometimes call her Skinny Mini. Don’t be fooled, we spent a lot of time eating Ramen Noodles and not buying Soda Pop, while we carved our way out of debt. That sacrifice led to a lot of freedom later. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and make sacrifices.
- #8 – If you have ever thought “If I can afford the monthly payment, then I can afford it,” please dig into the Financial Fitness Program because you are walking down a road that leads to misery. If you can afford the payment, pay it to yourself for the amount of time required, put it into a savings account, and then go pay cash for it when you have the money saved. Warren Buffet says, “If you buy things you don’t need, soon you will sell things that you do need.” That truth echoed into our life.
Your life doesn’t have to be full of stuff, things, toys and fancy decorated houses to be joyful.
“Real joy for our family, comes in time. Moments that are truly priceless.”
I spent so many years working 8-12 hour days at a job; then doing side business work another 8 hours a day–leaving no time for my family, no time to court my wife, my best friend, and no time to invest into my spiritual life all because of debt. I was a slave to the “I gotta have it now” attitude, and the cost was heavy.
“If we hadn’t been introduced to the Financial Fitness Program, I don’t know where we’d be today. Not only has it been the best, but it has been the only program that has worked for us.”
We’ve tried programs our church offers, other famous programs you hear about on the radio, but nothing made the difference like the Financial Fitness Program did.
Today, Robby and Emily Palmer are free from their obligation to any debt and have built an ongoing residual income that allows them to be stay-at-home parents; their goal is to help other families escape the Financial Matrix. Congratulations to this couple for applying the 47 financial principles from the Financial Fitness Program, and thank you for sharing your story of hope with our readers.
Lloyd weiler says
What an example you guys are to each one of us!! Your humor is great and I have to say some that some of your issues strike too close to home in my life!! Headed for my FFP!
Brandon Perry says
Awesome job Palmer family. I love the part about getting your finances right so your kids can eat better nutritious foods. Proud of you guys.
Myrna says
Congrats Palmers!! So well written and a great blog to save and share.
Larry Cropp says
Very, VERY Cool!!
Micah Kramer says
Way to go Robby and Emily!!!! Right behind you! 🙂 GREAT blog post…..thanks for your courage and for sharing your story!
“Freedom is a choice, but it’s not optional.”
Micah Kramer
The Woodlands, TX
Orrin Woodward says
I know this couple personally and I love how Rob and Emily were willing to swim upstream and wipe out debt, focusing on integrity rather than image. Excellent article!
Jetrina Smith says
Thank you Rob and Emily for your perfectly shared story! It will inspire 100’s if not 1,000’s! We love your family!
Bruce Terris says
Thank you for sharing your story it came at the right time because some one was showing me all the negative things on google about life leadership, and had me kind of down. But after reading this I know that the positives outweighs the negatives and I truly believe in what life leadership has to offer. By the way I made sure to send that person this blog, so that they also could see the positives..Thanks again Robby & Emily for your inspiration!
Thanks’
Bruce & Gail Terris
Rob Robson says
Congratulations Robbie and Emily! You are amazing examples of transformation through applied information!
Blaine Terrill says
Congrats y’all! Way to lead by example! I hope this post goes viral! Your candor will make many chuckle. Your transparency will inspire thousands! God bless you and your Compensated Community!
Chris Brady says
I have watched the Palmers for nearly this entire journey, and I can confirm that they are living the principles they teach. They embody delayed gratification and discipline. Congratulations guys!
CB
Sandra Montenegro says
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your story. God bless! 🙂
Pete Houston says
Robby and Emily are amazing leaders, coaches, and mentors. I have first hand watched these guys transform into who they are today. I grew up with Robby and I’ll be forever indebted (no pun intended) to him for leading me and my family out of the financial matrix. Love you guys!
Cheryl Slavinsky says
Great story, great list. Congrats Robby and Emily, and thanks for sharing!
Chad Palmer says
We met Rob and Emily over 3 years ago and have witnessed the positive change and growth that comes from getting out of debt and becoming job optional from applying the Finacial Fitness Program and sharing it with other families to have the same results. Strong Work Palmer’s!
Steven Rose says
I met Robby Palmer about two and a half years ago when he got a job working where I was working. His success at the job, and his positive attitude drew me to him, and we became friends. I met his wife Emily when Robby invited me to his house to tell me more about their story and how they were changing things financially in their lives. I learned about the Financial Fitness program from them, and watched as they moved from the three bedroom one bath house, where they had lived cramped together for nine years, while their family size grew to six people, into a five bedroom four bath house, while eliminating their debt, and with the wise advice of a personal mentor, watch and take pictures as Robby walked away from the job where we met at the ripe old age of 35 to be a stay-at-home dad and husband, all because Robby and Emily learned and applied the 47 principles taught in the Financial Fitness program. Robby and Emily Palmer are amazing people!!
Christena Reeder says
Robby and Emily!
I started out laughing at the fun and witty words you wrote, but I was crying before I got to the end. Your family is an inspiration to all of us! If it were not for you and the other leaders that live true principles, I probably would have quit before realizing what a tragic mistake that would have been. Thank you for being such great examples!
Myron Fair DC says
Robby & Emily Palmer are Awesome!!! The Financial Fitness program has not only helped with their personal finances but they have in turn have been able to help hundreds others succeed financially as well!
Sonya says
We are so excited to hear from you both out in Portland, OR in September. You’re such an inspiration to us!
Sonya & Darin Strawn
Kaylee Heninger says
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story. You two are amazing, and such an inspiration!
Matt Selph says
Great job Robby and Emily! I’m glad we have you as business coaches in our lives. I’m grateful for your example and willingness to jump in and help.
It’s crazy to think about how far you have come. I’m super proud of you. It’s only getting better.