Book Review: Debt is Slavery by Michael Mihalik

I was contacted a little while ago by Michael Mihalik. He was wondering if I would like to review his book, Debt is Slavery: and 9 Other Things I Wish My Dad Had Taught Me About Money (affiliate link). Any book about debt is right up my alley.

But I really didn’t have much time to devote to reading a book and I let Michael know that. He said I could take my time and told me that his book is fairly short and free of fluff. So I agreed to receive his book and review it.

I started reading it one day last week during my work breaks and I finished it up after work. Michael was right. It was short and free of fluff. But it did not lack with content!

This book was written by the viewpoint of someone who was in a lot of debt and managed to get himself out of it. He’s not an expert in finance and doesn’t claim to be. Rather, he is sharing what he has learned (sort of like what I’m doing with this blog). Most of what he learned about is how he thinks about money.

The main theme of the book is that debt is slavery. As long as you have debt, the author argues that you are “bound in servitude.”

Do you ever wake up in the morning and groan “I don’t want to go to work today?”

As you lie in bed toying with the idea of staying home, your thoughts turn to all the bills you have to pay: the mortgage, car payment, credit card bills, tuition, insurance premiums, electricity, phone, cable, groceries…”

I work a job now where I have sick time. But there was a time where I didn’t have sick time. Unless I was very, very ill, I drug myself to work because I needed that paycheck. I didn’t have the luxury of taking a day off or we’d dig the hole we were in deeper and deeper. I remember one gal I worked with who had a severe allergic reaction to something and was not completely recovered. She came to work, swollen face and all, because she couldn’t afford to lose the hours.

Michael goes on to discuss how possessions have hidden costs. We all know that it costs money to buy things. But do you think about the other costs?

Owning stuff not only costs money, it costs time and peace of mind. In addition to money, you spend time and energy storing stuff, cleaning it, maintaining it, fixing it, worrying about it, and moving it.

Let’s say you decide to have a 2,000 square foot home rather than an 800 square foot home. Going bigger won’t just mean a higher purchase price. Think about the increased wall space to paint, the flooring to clean and maintain, the furniture needed to fill it. It all ads up. After reading this book, the article about the 84 square foot house story made perfect sense. Just think of the low maintenance costs for that house!

Another section of the book discusses the GMM (Giant Marketing Machine) and how you are tempted all the time to spend, spend, spend! I had a chuckle when the author brought up how it used to be fashionable to wear leg warmers! Even I had a pair way back when. The GMM works to get you to buy things because we are “cool” and have status if we own them. When you are thinking of buying something that is “in” think about those leg warmers (mine were bright blue *shudder*).

There’s way more information packed into this book, like controlling your expenses and getting a handle on your finances. Like I mentioned earlier, this book is packed full of content in a relatively small amount of space. It’s also filled with personal tidbits from the author which I really enjoyed as well.

Overall, I think this book is great. Debt is Slavery prompted me to action. It’s a big reason why I decided to sell most of my possessions. As you can tell with this review, I could relate to what was said in the book with things from my own life. This book just made so much sense to me and I think it helped me realize the true priorities in my life.

One last thought from the book that made a lasting impression on me:

For now, it’s important to remember that when you spend money, you are spending a part of your life that you can never get back.

Next time when you pick up an item to purchase it, think about the number of hours of work you have to do to purchase that item. That’s time spent that you can never get back. Is that item now worth it?

Ok. You’ve made it this far which is great. I think you know what is coming up next…I give away the copy I was given to review. I’m excited about this giveaway because it’s a little special…the author has signed the book. It is a special touch

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post sharing what is one of the most important possessions that you have (I think it might be interesting to read everyone’s answers and see what they value the most).

The deadline to enter is 11:00pm EST on Tuesday, August 7, 2007. I will use random.org to select one random commenter. I will announce the name here no later than Wednesday, August 8, 2007 as well as email the commenter. At that time the commenter will need to provide their address (US addresses only, please) so I can ship them their book free-of-charge. If I do not hear back from the commenter selected by midnight on Friday, August 10, 2007, I will randomly select another commenter. Your chances of having your comment selected will depend on the number of comments received, only one entry per person, and I promise to ship the item out but cannot guarantee its safe arrival. Please note that I have a pet-friendly home.

I’ll start off…

One of my most important possessions is the cabinet I just emptied my eagle collection out of. It was hand made for me by my father and is the nicest piece of furniture that we own. The only time I will part with it is when it is time to give it to my son.

Posted by Tricia on August 2, 2007 at 12:32 PM in Book Reviews | 82 Comments »
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Carrie responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Animals are maybe not quite “possessions,” but having my dog is completely worth the expenses associated with her.
Maria responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 1:00 pm
I think my art collection–”treasures” made by my seven children over the past 17 years–is the only possession I would care about if, for example, I lost everything in a fire. Great post!
Amber Yount responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 1:27 pm
My most important possession would have to be my Mac collection. I’m a big fan of Apple, and if my house was on fire, that would be the second thing I saved after my puppy. Unfortunately though, because we want to purchase our first home, I decided to sell most of my vintage mac collection in order to get some money for the DP. I’ll still have my intel iMac, my tangerine g3 lappy, my iPod, and Apple TV (all I need is the iPhone!). I guess I really don’t need extra computers lying around anyways. Too much to dust.
Melissa responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
A pair of earrings from my grandmother who passed away 7 years ago. She didn’t have much and I know she treasured them so it makes them that much more special. It’s one of the few things I have from her…
Tree responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I would have to say the jewerly box that my husband gave to me 10 years ago when we were dating. It is the small type that sits on your dresser and when you open it – it plays music. I had always wanted one of those and he knew that. It is special becasue he wanted to give it to me for Valentines Day and put my engagement ring inside of it. But the box didn’t come in on time so he had to go to plan B. (he still had the ring but not the jewerly box) He had told me “my present” didn’t come in so I was going to have to wait until the next weekend to give me my present. I was expecting him to ask me that weekend so I thought at that point I would have to wait until the next weekend to get engaged. Well I was surprised when he still proposed Valentines weekend and pulled the ring out of his pocket, so much so instead of saying yes I hit him ;o). Even apart from the memory of when he gave me the jewerly box, it holds very dear things to me. A picture of my dad holding me when I was a little girl, a card from a christian book store with a picture of Jesus on it, a hand written note from my mom (both of my parents have passed away), my daughters first tooth she lost (she is adopted and we got her when she was 3.. I missed so many first’s with her.. losing her first tooth was a huge thing)and several other precious and priceless treasures as well. I had not thought about how much it meant to me until this post… a sincere thanks!
arduous responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 1:58 pm
My favorite possessions are the scrapbooks that I have made of my various travels and also of times spent with friends and family. I have learnt that I get a lot more out of spending my money DOING things than owning things. I’d rather spend $20 on a concert than on clothes. The scrapbooks serve as a reminder of all the fun things I’ve done and the interesting places I’ve been to. Plus, I’m not very crafty and scrapbooking is the one craft that I’ve been able to accomplish. So they’re the only things in my apartment I can claim to have somewhat “made.”
Andrea responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:00 pm
A note my daughter wrote to the tooth fairy when she was a little girl. The “fairy” forgot to take her tooth and leave something behind. So she left a note complete with drawings asking her please not to forget this time and to leave anything she wanted in return for her tooth!

This note is folded and aged but I cherish it.
Tuliegirl responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Although I could not dash in and grab it if my home were on fire, my most important possession is my piano. I’ve always wanted to take lessons, but couldn’t afford them, much less a piano, and with work- had no time. But one must perservere for what is important, and after 5 years (at the age of 44!), I have my piano, money for lessons, and the time to play. My piano represents to me what dicipline can do with a much desired goal in mind.
Micah responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Cheesy Answer – my family

Brownie Points Answer – my wedding ring (to remind me of being married to my beautiful wife)

Real Answer – all the pictures of my family (located on the computer, you gotta love the digital age)
Sick of Debt responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:16 pm
My most important possession is my wedding ring that my wife and I picked out. In the past 4 years, I’ve gone no more than a couple of hours without it on me. More important than that though is my wife and my newborn daughter.
Wendi responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:19 pm
One of the most important possessions of mine are my paper journals and family pictures. As I get older the memories tend to fade and being able to look back on things is so important to me. Also, to have that “record” to pass on to my son is wonderful.
Sophie responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I’m the sentimental type, too. My most important possession is our photo collection of our family and friends. It would be the first possession I would save in a fire — after the family members, of course!
paidtwice responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
my scrapbooks of our family are my most treasured possessions, including the pictures i haven’t yet scrapbooked lol
Jay responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I am a geek, what can I say. My most important possession is my computer. I work with computers all day and play on them all night.
glblguy responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Sounds like Michael’s book is dead-on, I am also a firm believer that the borrowing is a slave the lender and to debt in general.

As for my favorite worldly possession I’d have to say my wedding band. I never take it off, and only removed it when I had no choice (i.e. surgery). It’s a reminder of the commitment I made before God and to my wife.

Great review btw!
angela responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Material Possession: family photos old and new. I’ve scanned some of them and keep the cd in a fire safe along with old family photos and my granny’s letter collection.

Thanks for asking!
Tracy responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
My wedding ring…my husband’s mom died when he was 13 and he was able to give the ring to me. If we had to get rid of everything I wouldn’t get rid of this ring.

This book sounds great!
Kristina responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
My most important possession is my phone. Not even the actual phone, but rather my phone number. It’s how I communicate with my best friend in Florida, and my parents who live in Spain, and my grandparents who live in Lithuania. And being a wedding photographer, that’s also how brides contact me. So my phone number plays a major importance in my personal and professional life.
April responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
One of my special possessions is a pen and ink drawing of a bridge that my father helped build. This is the only possession of his that I have. I never got to know him since he lived in another country and died a number of years ago.
Kristina responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I don’t think of animals as possessions, but the law does, so my most important possession is my cats.
Thanks for the contest!
StaciCarsten responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
My most important possession is a memory stick that has all of my novels, stories, poetry, articles, etc. stored on it.

It’s a catchy title, but I disagree debt is slavery. I think it’s important to distinguish between leveraging your possessions in order to create wealth (like taking out a line of credit to buy a back-hoe with which you’ll be able to earn $8,000 per month, for instance) and paying 22% interest for 25 years on a dress or restaurant meal you couldn’t afford. Debt can be a useful tool if you’re using it correctly.
Callie responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I had to think about it for a while, and I am not sure if there is anything in my house that I would be too sad if I had to live without. (Other than my fiance and our two cats of course.) I guess my most prized possession is a mechanical pencil, because that is what I use to draw and write. Lucky for me it is cheap and easily replaceable. Not to mention transportable.
Jaime responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Besides all of my photos which I cherish, I have a cedar hope chest that my grandfather made for my grandmother before they were dating. (he even spelled her name wrong in it!) He was MIA in the Korean war, so it is very special to my family.
pfmoron responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
I’m not that emotionally attached to any of my possessions so I guess I’d grab whatever my wife tells me to grab.
Eileen responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Most important “living” possession: my dog

Most important “non-living” possession: my shiny MacBook. The importance of this possession can only be superceded by another shiny MacBook or a wedding ring.
Jill responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Like some others, it would have to be my dogs. Not matter what kind of day I am having they are always able to lick my face and make me feel just a little better.
Lynnae responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 5:04 pm
My most important possession is my collection of pictures over the years. I think that’s the only thing (besides my husband and children, of course) that I feel we couldn’t replace in the event of a fire.
Stephanie @ PoorerThanYou responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 5:24 pm
While packing to move last month, I forced myself to consider every single item and to severely pare down the amount of stuff I own, because I know I’ll be moving all of this stuff at least two or three more times in my lifetime, if not more. And while I kept two boxes of “mementos,” it was all of the photographs that I really felt I had to keep. Maybe now I’ll actually get back to work on my scrapbook!
Bianca Bizarro responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 6:14 pm
The photos and videos of my children when they were little, and of traveling and photo trips with Basil.
lisa responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
My collection of photo albums. I love to spend time going through them and strolling down memory lane.
boomie responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 7:38 pm
My most important and valuable possession is my brain. I use it to think about the world, it’s problems and solutions. I protect my brain by using it every day and expanding it’s capacity. I use it to read, to learn, to think and to love. It comes with me everywhere. It is unique and one-of-a-kind. There has never been anything like it before and will never be one like it again. I protect it with my life.
SingleGuyMoney responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 8:24 pm
My most valued possession is my deceased grandfathers hat he used to wear to church every Sunday.
Susan responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 8:33 pm
As many others wrote, my most important non-living posessions would be photos, particularly photos of my parents when they were young. There are not many of then and they are irreplaceable, so I would mourn them the most.
BJ responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 10:57 pm
I am one of 9 children. I never received a gift from my dad since my mom purchased all of the gifts in the family. My dad gave me a mug one year for my birthday. I must say that the plastic Fred Flintstone mug is one of my prized possessions!

I read this book and heartily agree with the blogger’s review.
Sara responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 11:10 pm
My dad is the strong silent type, when I call home – he says hello and then hands the phone to my mother. For some reason, when I graduated from college and moved to my new job in a different part of the state – he wrote me encouraging letters about working hard and what it meant to be on your own. I treasured those words of advise – sometimes they were glue that held me together at that very stressful and lonely time in my life. I still have those personal letters 20+ years later.
Jason responded:
Posted: August 2nd, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Life and memories!
Tim responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 1:32 am
my credit card so i can buy stuff, scrape the windshield in the winter time with the card, and jimmy open my door with the card.
Jennifer responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 4:14 am
My silver flute that my parents bought me in high school and my piano are my most prized posessions. Playing music makes me happy.
Matt responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 7:51 am
The most important possession that I have is my memories and experiences; I know that this isn’t a common answer but all of the things that I have done have shaped me and impacted me. For example spending 2 weeks in Paris seeing what another western culture lives like puts perspective on our lives.

Experiencing the breathtaking view of Mount Hood from an airplane as it’s bathed in the light of the setting sun. All of these memories and experiences are prized possessions and although its hard to actually loose this or have someone steal it the place/experience may cease to exist and is only left in your memories and experiences.
Yard Sale Tomorrow and A Few Tips To Help Make Yours Successful! | Gather Little By Little responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 8:29 am
[...] to do a little shifting around and do a major clean-out of our stuff. Tricia’s book review of Debt is Slavery and in particular the following quote really lit the fire under me to really really clean house: [...]
Courtney responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 9:05 am
In September 2005, as we prepared to evacuate for hurricane Rita, I made my husband buy large totes to take my scrapbooks with us. They are my most prized possessions as they tell my family’s history and I hope are passed on to future generations.

I try to chronicle not only what fun activities we do, but also what our day to day life is like and to describe the unique personalities of our children so that one day their children and grandchildren will understand them better.
Dawn responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 9:24 am
I would say I most value the jewelry that my grandmother left me. I inherrited it last year. It is worth the rent we pay on the safe deposit box to keep it safe. I know it meant a lot to her and it means a lot to me that she trusts me enough to leave it to me. It is a little sad that her very beautiful things are locked up in the dark. Her jewelry is all real and I dont feel ready to wear it as my own yet.
deb responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 9:40 am
My scrapbooks and pictures are my most valued posessions…so many memories of loved ones and life that are irreplaceable!
Adam responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 9:43 am
One of my most reasured posessions is the bif orange bookshelf/desk unit that my grwat-grandfather made. Sure, its kind of ugly, but I don’t care where I live or how much money I have, its always going to be in a prominent place in my home. He made the whole thing by hand, and painted it orange because he knew my grandparents would hate it (he made it for my aunt, his granddaughter). That little bit of rebellion was one of the most charming things about the man.
Cam responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 9:44 am
My CDs containing pictures of my daughter are my most prized possession.
Ian responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 9:52 am
Of course my non-material would be my wife, kids, and the dogs. As far as most of my “stuff”, it can be replaced. So the answer would be a box of my mother’s journals. She passed away when I was a teenager, so those are my link to how she thought and felt.
jaye responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 10:08 am
My most cherished material possession is my art collection. It truly makes me happy.
Beth responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 am
I’m going to go with my computer, too. It has my e-mails from friends, pictures, and games to entertain me–not to mention most of my financial information!
Chris Westcott responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I have 2 golden retrievers… as a previous comment pointed out, they are not truly possessions, though the law treats them as such.

As an adult without children, these dogs constitute my “pack” and there are days when their unconditional love make all the “slings and arrows” of everyday life worthwhile.

I can only imagine that children are the same way (only by a factor of one-thousand!)
Joann responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I have four prized possessions that come to mind:

1-My dogs: Unconditional love is worth every penny of the vet bills that pile up as they age.
2-My mother’s jewelry box: I remember it as a child growing up, and when she tried to sell it during a garage sale, I snagged it as a reminder of her.
3-My great grandfather’s table: I have no photos of my ancestors, but this table is my tie to my past.
4-A straw hat given to me by my family’s housekeeper in the Phillippines. She made $10 a MONTH, but was generous enough to give me her hat just because I said I liked it. It would have been extremely insulting for me to turn it down, and it has taught me how insignificant all my other expensive crap really is in the grand scheme of life.
Danielle responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 2:26 pm
My most prized possessions I do not own and they are priceless!! They are my two sweet little girls!! No material goods could ever match the love and joy I receive from them. Being their mom pays more dividends than any object or investment:)
Brenna responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 8:36 pm
There are a handful of answers to this question: my health to enjoy life, my husband to reflect, share and create memories and life itself.
Kathryn responded:
Posted: August 3rd, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Hands down, what I most treasure are my husband, kids, and memories of our time together.

So far as what can be purchased, my favorite things are indoor running water and paper products.

Thanks for the review. The book sounds great.
sf mom responded:
Posted: August 4th, 2007 at 12:11 am
My most valuable possession(s) are my photos. If my house were on fire, I would grab my family and then the hard-drive with our online photos and as many photo albums as I could. Luckily, most of the photo albums are right by the front door!
Thanks for giving out the book!
Wendy responded:
Posted: August 4th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I’d have to say my dog, Cameron the Brave. He’s taught me patience, self-sacrifice and unconditional love. We’ve had a couple of stuff-destroying chewing incidents, and his worth always wins out. The face licks are nice, too.
Roundup for week of 29 July 2007: Flaming Marmoset edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter responded:
Posted: August 5th, 2007 at 1:19 am
[...] Away Debt reviews Debt is [...]
The Sunday Review #32: Mini Carnival Edition responded:
Posted: August 5th, 2007 at 8:35 am
[...] Book Review: Debt is Slavery by Michael Mihalik by Tricia @ Blogging Away Debt. [...]
bluntmoney responded:
Posted: August 5th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Mine would be photos as well, as far as actual “things” go.
Christine responded:
Posted: August 5th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
My most important posession would have to be the pictures and scrapbooks of my children. They grow too quickly and I love to look back at the pictures and remember.
kris responded:
Posted: August 5th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
My Dog, Brownie Boy. He’s the first thing I would grab as I run out the door.
A Debt Reduction Carnival « finance psychology responded:
Posted: August 5th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
[...] A Book Review. Now I Want to Read This Book. Books are invaluable motivators for re-focusing. Get it at the library or one of those great used books sites (I kick myself when I think of all the new books I’ve bought — used books are simply no longer the coffee-stained acid-ravaged items we encountered in less-than-savory warehouses.) And of course, Trish at blogging away debt is a certified maven of personal finance. Check it out! [...]
Kim L. responded:
Posted: August 6th, 2007 at 9:05 am
I couldn’t pick just one. Really. Between all of my kids stuff, my pictures, my grandmother’s artwork, my great-grandmothers mirror … I couldn’t do it.
Sharon responded:
Posted: August 6th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
My most treasured possessions are a little musical piano box that my son got me in 4th grade for Christmas. And, a gawdy, but pretty covered ceramic dish that my daughter gave me in seventh. I know they are because when I go on vacations, visits, etc., I always pack these with me, just in case the house were to burn while I am away. My son will soon be 30, and my daughter is 23.
Sandy responded:
Posted: August 6th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
The most important “possession” I have (if they are possessions) are my baby African Grey Parrot, Josh and his cage, etc. (very expensive) but I love him more than anything. I pray I don’t have to give him up till I die for health or financial reasons. My other most important Possession is my dog, Chelsea who is the best dog in the world. I pray we can be together always.
Catherine responded:
Posted: August 6th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
My most important possession at this point in my life would be my house. It might seem materialistic, but this is where I care for my children, cook their meals, shelter them from storms, and comfort them when they can’t sleep at night. We could probably live in an apartment, but it means so much to me that my children have a big yard to play in and neighbors that we know. We feel safe when my husband has to be gone, and I never felt this safe in an apartment. We don’t have a lot of grand stuff, but we have a good house, and we thank God every day that we do, and that we can afford to live here.
MB responded:
Posted: August 6th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
The most important possession I own is a trunk that was given to me by my grandmother when I mentioned that I had been trying to find a trunk to use as a “hope chest”. Her grandmother (my great-great grandmother) brought it with her when she emigrated from Germany to the U.S. when she was a little girl.
Book Review: Debt is Slavery âˆž Get Rich Slowly responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 8:01 am
[...] at Blogging Away Debt just posted her review of the book last [...]
karen w responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Probably my most important possession is my computer. It holds photos, music and other memory-triggers. Not to mention that I use it to freelance…
David responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 10:05 am
My saxophones are likely the most important on a daily basis to me, but I could replace them all if I had to; none are incredibly sentimental. I don’t really have any tangible sentimental things.

Probably it would be my external hard drive, where every picture from the past 12 years is there, along with old mp3s from years ago that evoke memories. Also on there is music I’ve written and recorded, stories and essays I’ve written, schoolwork from high school and college, backups of websites I’ve created, webcam videos from old friends, my own webcam diary from years ago, software and code I’ve written, and you get the picture. A bunch of digital data that comprises about half my life and still fits neatly on a 200GB drive… Would definitely grab that first, then try to grab my macbook and saxophones.
Emma responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 11:24 am
My most important possesion is a tiny pewter colored box. It’s made in India and has tiny colored mosaic on the lid. When I was a young girl my poppa (grandfather) kept this tiny pewter colored box in his bedside drawer. When my baby teeth fell out he would put them in the box(they’re not in there now…lol) and the tooth fairy would leave fifty pence under my pillow. I always loved that box. Poppa died two years ago this month, I was devastated.My sister and I were raised by my grandparents, so it’s as if my father died. I had to fly home to the UK from the US. My Nanna (Grandmother) asked me what I would like, my choice was the pewter colored box. I keep it on my dressing table displayed proudly as a momento of my Poppa.
Debbie responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
My most important possession would be family photos. Of course, I probably will never get them organized or in albums — and I’d have to haul them away in a big storage tub — but they’d be the first and possibly only “possessions” I’d definitely take with me in the event of an emergency… (if I’d actually have a choice in the matter!) Everything else, with the exception of my husband and daughter, could be replaced.
Tutorgal responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
My most prized possession is my wedding ring, a gift my husband and I picked out together and he did go into debt (briefly–it was paid for before the wedding) to buy it. But it would be on my hand, so if I had to run into my house to save something (excluding living beings) it would have to be the carved wooden hope chest that belonged to my grandmother. It contains many pieces of memorabelia (my baby book, baby booties knitted by my other grandmother, letters from over the years, etc) that chronicle my life.
christopher mayfield responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
My most prized possession is all the letters and cards i have acumilated though the years.
letters from my clasmates when i went oversees, leters from my grandmother and letters to my daughter and wife.

great Book review and site.
Paul Wood responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I have to say my most valuable possession in my family. Nothing else matters more than them.
Ron & Sharon responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Our most valuable possession belongs to our children. Their artwork, schoolwork, Christmas ornaments made from macaroni, those kind of things and negatives from pictures we’ve taken (all the negatives from before we went digital and the CDs made from the digital camera are in a fireproof box). Aside from the children themselves, those are the most valuable things in this house.
DebtFree-Revolution responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
A framed picture on my wall from the Franklin Mint. When I was 12 I went out and got a paper route because my parents refused to buy it for me…they told me to get it myself! It was the first thing I worked for and that I could truly call “mine.”
John responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Looking around, I can’t think of a single thing that I wouldn’t happily leave behind if I had to. However, This computer would probably be the most difficult thing to replace given the data on it.
Tish responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
My home. It’s small and modest — but it’s all mine. After going through a period of not having a place to live, I will never again take the place I lay my head for granted again.
Tricia responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Thanks to everyone who responded! I’ll be drawing the number for the book shortly.
And My Autographed Copy of "Debt is Slavery" Goes To... » Blogging Away Debt responded:
Posted: August 7th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
[...] Tricia: Thanks to everyone who responded! I’ll be drawing the number… [...]
The Get Real Girls and Keeping Up With the Joneses » Blogging Away Debt responded:
Posted: October 27th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
[...] have learned a lot since those days. A book that helped me greatly was Debt is Slavery. That book led us to having three garage sales this summer and I am still finding things to get rid [...]
junior responded:
Posted: November 28th, 2008 at 4:04 am
we can beat it,im just started to do this and i wont stop till i finish…