197. From Financial Struggles to Debt Freedom with Brad Nelson the "Debt Free Dad"

Hey Family Brand! It’s Melissa here, and today, I’m beyond excited to introduce you to Brad Nelson, also known as the Debt Free Dad. Brad has an incredible story about going from the weight of debt to a life of financial freedom, and he’s here to share how he did it and how you can too. If you’ve ever felt alone in your financial struggles, this episode is for you! Brad breaks down simple, practical steps to help families like ours get out of debt and start building the future we want.

Brad opens up about his early financial journey and the challenges he faced, from living paycheck-to-paycheck to ultimately losing his home. He shares how this wake-up call led him to completely transform his mindset and make debt freedom a reality. Brad’s story is one so many of us can relate to—thinking we’ll manage “someday” while trying to keep up with life’s demands. But he shows us that, with the right mindset and some determination, financial freedom is possible.

One thing Brad emphasizes is the importance of mindset. Getting out of debt isn’t easy, but it starts with a vision and a commitment to change. He talks about how having a clear vision for his future helped him make tough choices, like cutting back on unnecessary spending. This vision was a game-changer, motivating him to stay on track when things got hard. Brad encourages all of us to sit down and get honest about what we want our financial lives to look like—and to start taking small steps to get there.

We also dive into the topic of family finances and how to involve our kids in positive, age-appropriate ways. Brad suggests bringing children into simple budgeting conversations, teaching them that “no” doesn’t mean “never,” and that financial responsibility is about intentional choices. It’s about giving them the tools to build a healthy relationship with money that will last a lifetime.

Lastly, Brad shares how he’s now helping others on their financial journeys through his Debt Free Dad podcast and membership community, Roots of Personal Finance. By providing accountability and support, Brad has created a space where people don’t have to feel alone in their financial struggles. This community is all about giving families the tools and support to reach their goals, one step at a time.

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LINKS:

• stan.store/familybrand
  
  

Links For This Episode:

• Free Gift from Brad: https://www.debtfreedad.com/payoff-debt-in-60-to-90-days
  
  

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome Brad Nelson! Aka The Debt Free Dad
• 3:00 – How Brad Got into Debt with Bad Money Habits
• 7:00 – Brad’s Journey to Helping Others Get Out of Debt and Live Free
• 10:30 – How Normal People with Normal Jobs Can Become Debt-Free
• 14:00 – Shifting Your Mindset Around Debt and Money
• 18:30 – What to Do if Your Spouse Isn’t Ready for Financial Changes
• 21:45 – Defining Your Family’s “Why” and Creating a Shared Vision