There are plenty of reasons to get out of debt. Your spouse and kids. Your dreams of retirement. Your own mental well being. But fighting debt is something Americans don't talk much about. The battle can make you feel isolated. It can make you feel alone.
On January 15, 2010, the Shred Your Credit Card video contest kicked off with this video:
Twenty-two videos, almost 400 comments, over 5,000 votes and tens of thousands of visitors later, Shred Your Credit Card had become a full-fledged movement. In just six weeks, people were talking about the contest on television and in the news.
The goal of the contest was to find people who were getting out of debt. Real people with real problems who weren't crushed by them. People who didn't mind telling others about their experiences or having a little fun in the process. By taking on the challenge together, these people found a community of people just like them. People with real financial problems working on real solutions.
On January 31st -- a day we're calling "Shred Your Credit Card Day" -- our sponsors gave over $2,000 away to video creators for supporting this community.
It's too late to win money for getting out of debt, but it's not too late to start working towards a better financial future. And it's never too late to be inspired by others.
Are you getting out of debt? Check out the videos on this site as a reminder that killing your credit cards is a great first step.
Do you know someone who's struggling with debt? Share this website with them, or better, send them this link: http://bit.ly/WrestlingWithDebt
As you'll see, getting out of debt can be a team effort. Sure, it's hard. (Our sponsors are here to help you do it right.) But you don't have to be alone in the fight.
Stay tuned for more from ShredYourCreditCard.com. To be involved with the future of this project, please follow @ShreditCard on Twitter or like Shred Your Credit Card on Facebook.
Have an idea to help make the community growing around Shred Your Credit Card even stronger? Email the organizers at shred@perkstreet.com
Have fun, stay safe and keep fighting the good fight,
PerkStreet Financial and Lending Club