I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man (Woman)

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange

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*Originally published in This Week Magazine.
Later printed in The Reader’s Digest, October 1952 and January 1954.

My close friends know that I am on a mission to become debt free. That means, no credit cards, no car payment, no mortgage payments, no student loan payments... blah, blah, blah! My plan is to become debt free in 24 months (not including my mortgage). I have made the decision to regain control of my finances, and take the hard earned money back from "the banks" who have so quietly taken a percent here and a percent there, for far too long! I have made a promise to myself, to not borrow another cent, as long as I can help it. Hopefully never again. To assist me with this mission, I have the support of a lovely christian man named DAVE RAMSEY. Some of you may have heard of him. He has his own radio talk show, television show & has written many books. (He is on the radio every day from 3-5pm). I have been listening to him religiously (and so have my husband and kids). He also offers a financial class called "Financial Peace University", which is most often offered at churches. The class is 13 weeks long, which was going to be a bit of a hassle for us to make it to there every week, so we decided to purchase the home study kit. We will be able to study it home, without missing a class. If you are like me, and are tired of living payday to payday and just not ever feeling like you are going to get ahead, you MUST go to his website! Or go to the library and get his books Total Money Makeover or Financial Peace Revisited. Both of these will help you to become debt free, sooner than you may think! I recommend attending a class at your local church as well. And, listening to one of his radio shows... He is a millionaire who lost everything, went bankrupt & broke, and built his fortune back up again, wisely. He shares how he did it.


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