Week 7: Big Dig

Happy New Year!!!



It's all in the video this week :)

Week 6: Alternative Systems

As the information on the statistics page shows, it is expensive to get an education in America.  But the system we in the U.S. tend to take as one of those unfortunate, but undeniable facts of life, is actually anything but that. 

Education is important.  So important in fact, that other countries invest in it heavily enough that it is virtually free.  In the video, Liz mentions Australia.  It is actually a great example and Liz is quite correct.  Australian citizens and permanent residents can get their educations funded, and then pay that back as slowly or quickly as they want through a kind of payroll tax.  If they are not getting paid, or event are not getting paid enough to meet their other needs, the tax is waved.  How about that?

In other news, I had the good fortune to meet the women of Chive last year, and they are incredible, not just in the way they throw a party (see video), but also in their commitment to a new kind of business model that actually respects their workers, and the planet.  If you are in New England, you gotta know about Chive.

Finally, I wrote a nice little blog about my dad, and (shameless plug) if you are into Colorado History, you should take advantage of the after Christmas special prices on his films.

Week 5: The Power is Yours

I've been slacking, and I fell behind by a few weeks. Tonight, Wednesday, and Friday should catch me back up before the new year :) Sorry for the delay.

I have been working with the creators of Captain Planet for a few months. I was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago for the 20th anniversary bash. It was nuts. The event was a plated dinner for 700 people. All of Atlanta's A-list turned out to the Georgia Aquarium for a late night of partying hard.

You can see the work I am doing with the Planeteers at the website, the HUGE Facebook page, and the twitter accounts. That's all for now.

Week 4: Unemployment Insurance

Before I get into this post, I want to thanks Jordan and Victoria for your thoughts!  Keep 'em coming.

I added a bit of information to put this all in a larger context on the Statistics page - along with an invitation for you to declare your own game, and join me in being unreasonable about getting free from debt.


(Sorry the sound sucks - I'll fix that next week)

Be Warned: what is below here is political.  If you want an update on my game, the latest is here.

I hate to go a tad partisan right now, but Mitch McConnell, the Republican Minority Leader in the Senate has vowed to block any and all legislation in the Senate until the Bush Tax cuts for those making $250,000 or more are extended or made permanent.  This power play only works because unemployment benefits are about to run out for millions of us (luckily, myself not included).

I'm sure Mr. McConnell would make the argument that extending those tax cuts will create jobs, or at least prevent the loss of more.  I disagree with him, but even if he is right, those jobs won't come before rent is due for the new year, they won't come before Christmas is spent struggling to get by, and they certainly won't come before people run out of food in their cupboards.

I've only been on unemployment for two months, so I have a lot of time before my insurance runs out.  It's a good thing too.  Unemployment in America is a little shy of 10%.  I have applied for more than 25 positions, and have yet to get so much as an interview.  I don't have kids.  I don't have a mortgage.  I have a Master's Degree, and great flexibility with what I can do.

If I were supporting a family and less flexible in what I could do, I would be downright desperate.

Mitch McConnell is worth $32,756,000 million dollars.  Does he understand what he is putting people through?

Week 3: Greater Purpose

Friends, your generosity, advice and eagerness to help are really overwhelming.  Thank you all.

I added a new page which you can look at by clicking here or going to the tab up top that is labeled Strategies.  There you will find a detailed report of what I have actually done, what I am trying to do, and what I plan to do, but haven't gotten to yet.  If you think I should do more things, list them, and I will likely give it a shot. While you are playing around with the tabs, I have some numbers crunching under the statistics tab too.

The balance between doing something worthwhile, that makes you proud to go to work, and earning enough money to get out of debt and live with financial abundance, is a tricky one.  I just got a letter from a big organization that was looking at hiring me informing me that they are unable to meet my salary requirements (enough to pay the loans) and therefore can't offer me the job.  It would have been coordinating a multi-state campaign to tackle energy efficiency at the local level.  This could be HUGE!  Just listen to Kalia Lydgate at the Marion Institute (video by yours truly). But alas - no-go on the jobby-job.

I am currently working on two projects that are right in line with the vision I expressed in the video this week.  I have been working with the people who created Captain Planet to use the global popularity of the character to communicate message about responsible consuming (among other things).  As of now we have nearly 400,000 people on Facebook, and reasonably cool website.

The other project is straight up crazy.  I am working on putting a team together to build a sustainability research facility and conference center on a private island in the Pacific Northwest.  Take a look at the site.

So in addition to those things (neither of which pays) I am trying to apply for jobs that make a difference.  I did get a gig writing for a website called TheSocioCapitalist, but it is more an awesome outlet for my writing and a great community, and less a significant revenue stream - unless of course you get all of your friends to make it super popular :) (click those links - I made it easy)

I also applied for a few fellowships, some paid, and others unpaid, but prestigious.  I got word today that I have advanced to the next round for one of them, and will have an interview in the next two weeks, so that rocks.  I also have been connecting with people who might need social media services like this web video I just made for Half Acre Beer in Chicago.  I have a couple promising prospects that would do some social good, and even pay in the next few weeks (fingers crossed).

So as you saw in the video - A big goose egg represents my student loan payments this week.  Boo.  I have devised a system beginning two weeks from now to have the money my dad is paying me for the consulting work I am doing go directly to Citibank in student loan payments.  That would be $200/wk, or a little less than 25% of the goal.  Still its steady and significant.

Week 2: The Plan

I want to give a shout out to everyone who contacted me last week.  Peter, and Kevin, and Jules, thanks for the leads!   I'm excited to follow up with you!  To Caits, I have no words - Thank you. Lindsay - you rock.  If the Dollar remains weak, and the Philippine Peso strengthens, save me a plasma donation chair next to yours will you? Joey, Jazz, Jess, Becky Alex, Brant, Sarah (K and B), Jonathan, Lindsey, Kirsten, and Rudy (long time, my friend) Thanks for your comments and support!  Finally, Alan - I envy you.

OK - On to Week II:  How is this going to work?



Cari and I did an exercise to brainstorm all of theways we could think of for me to generate income.  They are:

Craigslist
Dancing Lessons
Acting Lessons
Violin Lessons
Balloon Animals
Social Media Consulting
Clowning
Voiceovers
Party Host

Other Jobs
Waitering
Valet
Tour Guide
Cab Driver
Bike Courier
Research Assistant
Airline (so I'd get flights for free)
PR Firm
Work for a member of congress (Student loan program)
Any other job that will pay my loans
Residential job (so no rent cost)
Actor on a cruise ship (no expenses)
Salmon Boat in Alaska ($25k/summer)
Sales Job for Commission
Start a Company (Punctuation Soups)
Work for Citibank
Work for Havey Productions
Find Infringements for Havey Productions
Help Cari's mom @ School
Personal Assistant/New Media Person
Ask people with $ for odd jobs, online or otherwise

Ask for Help
Loan Forgiveness
Wealthy People, Pay Loans
GW/Gov't Program Loan Forgiveness
Ask Citibank to forgive loans
Ask Citibank to trade consulting for loan forgiveness

Crazy Ideas
Write a Play and sell it
Sell sponsorships for brands like clothes hats signs etc
Make a reality TV show about getting out of debt
Make a website where people can pay off my loans for me
Beg for change on the street with a 'pay off my student loans' sign
Appeal to CitiBank

Grants
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/programs/innovation_grantees_2010.asp

Competitions

Fellowships

Other income sources
Turn all coins into cash
Collect scrap and sell to junkyards
Sell Car
Sell Books

Save Money
Give up paying for alchohol
Spend less money


So I will action as many of those things as possible in the coming months.

As a last thought for this blog (and an extra video piece for those who made it to the bottom, there are a few things I've found on Craig's list that seem really cool.  Most recently there was a post for a host for a new TV show celebrating the American Worker.  They said they needed a host who was quick-witted, funny, great with people, and willing to do most anything.

I'm not totally sure if they'll consider me seriously, but I applied, and cut this demo reel for my on-camera experience.

Week 1: Background

I am far from the first to try to get out of debt by 30.  In fact, as I was trying to get the blog name, I was shocked at the number of people who have tried something similar. 

As so often happens with the good names, the people that get them never use them.  Or they have stopped using them.  Regardless, there is no shortage of advice out there for 20 somethings who are looking to build a future on solid financial footing.

There is a book
There is a website
There is another website
There is an eHow article
Even Fox Business has advice

I can't really offer much in the way of advice that would add anything to the mix.  So you won't find that here.

What you will find here is a story that is happening now.  A story of one 28-year-old's mission to become debt free by his 30th Birthday, 80 weeks from today.

To do that, I will have to pay Citibank an average of $875 each week.  And at the moment, I don't have a job.  I have a bunch of random skills and talents, I have dedication and passion to spare, and I have zero money in savings.

So with that, I invite you to join me, as I beg, barter, and create financial freedom in any way I can.