{"id":44738,"date":"2023-01-20T17:59:33","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/students-learn-how-to-conquer-debt-at-young-and-debt-free-conference\/"},"modified":"2023-01-20T17:59:33","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:59:33","slug":"students-learn-how-to-conquer-debt-at-young-and-debt-free-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/students-learn-how-to-conquer-debt-at-young-and-debt-free-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Students learn how to conquer debt at ‘Young and Debt Free’ conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Just a few years after college, MJ Bridges found himself in nearly $100,000 in debt. Since erasing that huge sum, Bridges has turned to helping others avoid that situation.<\/p>\n

At the Young & Debt Free conference in the Trojan Ballroom, Bridges educated students on how to manage their finances and make wise choices. The former math teacher advised students to take responsibility for their debt early in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not run away from your money problems,\u201d said Bridges. \u201cIt\u2019s about sitting down and being intentional to get over debt.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Debt Free speaker MJ Bridges engages the audience of TROY students with a rap song. (TROY photo\/Aliza Chambers)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

During the conference, Bridges dissected an example budget, breaking down the aspects of it and detailing how to create an effective one.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was really the first time I saw how to build a budget and how that process happens,\u201d said Ryan Young, a freshman Music Industry major. \u201cI\u2019ve always been told that having a budget was good, but I was never shown how to build a budget.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bridges warned about the dangers of frivolous spending and how easy it is to accrue debt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether it\u2019s shopping or spending, it\u2019s all about the feeling that you get,\u201d said Bridges. \u201cBut we have to be conscious of how much we spend.\u201d<\/p>\n

The presentation kept students involved by incorporating aspects such as a Kahoot poll, questions for the audience and even a rap song.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a great speaker and had a lot of energy,\u201d said Young. \u201cHe kept me engaged.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bridges emphasized the importance of handling finances at a young age to have more freedom to pursue passions later in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to avoid debt so you don\u2019t have to worry about things you want in the future,\u201d said Cruz Fuller, a freshman Mathematics major. \u201c[Being debt free] can help me advance my education, help me to get a higher education and increase my chances to get employed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Overall, the presentation just reinforced how difficult having debt can be while also giving students the tools to prevent or escape it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving debt is not a very nice feeling,\u201d said Young. \u201cIt leads to constant stress, constant worrying and impacts your credit score.\u201d<\/p>\n

Complete photo coverage of the event is located on\u00a0troy.edu\/photo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n