Debt-Free Millionaire Zack, with the Debt Free Millionaire Brand

Simplified Explanation: Recessions are a large downturn in the market, for two consecutive quarters. The year is broken up into 4 quarters (3 month increments - January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December). If this downturn occurs, you can expect it to have a negative impact on your finances, whether it is losing your job, an increase in expenses, or losing some of your income. This could also affect you getting a loan for a home or car.
A depression is similar, but it’s deeper and longer than a recession. If this were to occur, you would most likely see a decrease in pay, increase in expenses, or loss of a job.
Real Life: In 2008, the United States experienced the largest housing bubble in over 50 years. One of the reasons for this is because President Bush held it off for so many years with certain economic policies. The price of houses increased the most during his administration in the last 50 years, excluding 2022. There were too many houses on the market, at such a high price, that the economy couldn’t sustain the high prices and loans that were too easy to apply for. In 2021, it is different; there are less houses for sale, and the prices keep going up. If the home builders came out and began building houses non-stop, it would still take them 2-3 years, at least, to build enough houses to put too many houses on the market. 
For the past 100 years, we have had a new recession every 8 years. In 2008, we hadn’t experienced a recession in 10 years. Now, in 2021, we have been waiting for the next recession for 13 years and it as of July 29, 2022, it has been reported that we are now back in a recession. When COVID occurred, the media called it a recession, but though there were two quarters of downturn, no prices went down. The market had a small fluctuation, while everyone was under lock down orders, but it quickly came back (because of action the Trump and local administrations took to correct and open the economy). It is also possible that, even if he did nothing, since this wasn’t a true recession, the market would have still returned the same way when the lock down orders were released. Now you can see statistically what the lock down orders did, by looking at the economies of the states that locked down the longest. The economies of California and New York fell, and stayed down while the people were under lock down orders, as no one could do much in the way of commerce and business. Those states that lifted their lock down orders, such as South Dakota, Florida, Georgia, and Missouri, had economies that jumped, even though there were mask mandates in place. These people were able to get out and work, though, and according to the numbers, the rate of deaths from COVID were no different from California (though New York was significantly more than everywhere else, because people lived so close together). Even in lock down, the people couldn’t work as they normally did, and the economy in those areas suffered.
Now there are multiple types of recession, spanning from a housing bubble, to the stock market falling. Here are the different types:
Boom and Bust Economy: This may occur after a previous year of an economic boom, or a year the economy went up substantially and inflated itself too high. The recession would be to balance it and cut the price increases. When this happens, banks tighten their lending/spending policy and lend less; the price of most things decrease a little, or stay where they are, which allows the market to catch up; and people’s confidence goes from high, in a boom, to low confidence, during a bust.
Balance Sheet recession: This occurs when banks see a decline in their balance sheet, due to falling assets or bad loans, and so they restrict lending policy. During this time, we will see a fall in asset pricing, such as the housing bubble, when the price of houses decreased.
A Depression: This is caused by a long and deep recession, where the output falls by

Simplified Explanation: Marriage is a culturally recognized union between two people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, their children, and even extended family. This brings on the financial, emotional, and physical support of the other person. Some people do this differently but most times, finances stop becoming hers and mine, ownership becomes ours, and families are to work together to succeed in all areas of the family.
Divorce, on the other hand is the legal recognition of the union being dissolved. This is where the financial, emotional, and physical support of the couple is split. This also means that the added stress and finances of the couple is to affect both of them. 
Real Life: Marriage should be the happiest moment in a person’s life, that should - potentially - last until death, but sometimes feelings sour between the two parties. If things can be resolved they should but it takes two to find resolution. Sometimes strength is leaving (with abuse). Sometimes you don't have an option (being left for another person). One person's resolve isn't enough. Like with marriage, keeping a marriage together takes two.
Marriage: When you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, it normally results in spending as much time as possible getting to know each other, over an extended period of time. This is a time to get to know each other and date, experiencing another person through many different seasons of life. You and your loved one go on dates, attend each other’s activities, and become familiar with the person’s good, and not-so good, traits. This is a time of learning and growing together, before getting married. If you get married too quickly, you may not understand all the attributes of your spouse. If you wait too long, your potential spouse may fall out of love. It is the commitment that makes you strive to work through hard times, be each other’s shoulder to cry on, and the desire for each of you to become a better person in the relationship. When you are getting married, these are the things to consider:
Children – Most married couples who get married for the first time come into their marriage without children, but you should discuss whether or not you want children, how many and how soon you want them. Some couples have their children as soon as possible, so they can get them out of the house sooner; some wait a few years, while they get to know each other; and others wait until they are financially secure before having children, which normally ends up with older parents with younger kids. FYI, raising children is very tiring, how much more tiring would it be for older parents. Whenever you decide to have them, remember that they bring a great deal of expenses. Reports show that parents spend an average of $13,186 per year raising their child, though the median cost was only $6,000.
Finances – Make sure that you are both on the same page with finances, before you get married. Don’t marry someone that you can agree with financially. TD Ameritrade, a financial firm, found that 41% of divorced Gen Xers and 29% of Boomers say they ended their marriage due to disagreements about money. Make sure you are on the same page before marriage, so you don’t risk disagreeing later on. Ask these questions of your future spouse:
What are your goals and aspirations in life? How will you reach them?
Will we use a budget each month, to not just be intentional, but to be in agreement?
When you get your paycheck, do you save, as one of your first priorities or after paying your bills and yourself?
Will we use debt to buy things, or will we try to pay cash and stay out of debt?
(Observe this one, don’t ask it) Are you a frivolous spender and go on shopping sprees?
Do you conserve utilities around the house, or do you do things like leave the lights on?
Will we have children right away or when we are financially secure? Will you treat your children bette

Simplified Explanation: Becoming debt free is when you do not owe anyone or any company money from a previous debt. You will still have monthly bills, but you do not owe anyone a recurring amount of money because of past choices or purchases.
Real Life: Getting out of debt is a huge weight off everyone’s shoulders. When you finally get away from debt, you never want to return. Typically, a person will do everything possible to keep themselves away from getting back into debt (aside from the most essential role of financing a home). But when you can get out of that debt, too, you will feel total relief.
Know this: this chapter is filled with suggestions that are based on experience.
Staying out of debt: After getting out of debt, you may feel the relief of not owing anyone financially, and the hope is, that you will feel the desire never to get back into debt. This may be the perfect time to consider ways to stay out of debt, such as cutting up your credit cards and moving to debit cards; buying cars with cash, instead of financing them; and saving for things you would like to buy (and be patient while you’re saving, too). You have worked so hard to either stay out of debt, or pay back your debt, that you have seen the wisdom of never getting back in.
Pandemic or Global Events – When COVID hit the world in 2020, two strategies were taken to stop the spread of the disease. One was to lock down every citizen and business for 3 months (or more), while they got it under control, so the hospital beds that were needed were not overrun. The second was to let everything go forward, and people lived their lives with masks and other protective means, while the virus spread to those who were not protected. In the end, both had the same results with the virus: people died. But the death rates were lower in South Korea and Sweden (who did not lock down) than those of the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Poland, and many other European countries (per million citizens). Also, those who did not lock down continued to thrive in their economies. In the United States, individual states took two different directions with the lockdown. This almost went the way of the political line: blue states (Democrat-run states) continued to lock down. Their number of COVID cases and deaths rose and their economies crashed. The red states (Republican run states) opened up, even just slightly, and their numbers rose at the same amount, but their economies came back quickly. Then, the government, under Trump, first, and then Biden, came out and said, “we will save you by sending you $1,400, then $600, and then another $1,400 dollars.” The government locked the people down for a year in some states, not allowing them to work outside their home, and then gave them $3,400 total, and claimed they saved the people. The problem is, about one-third of people surveyed in the United States lost 10 to 25 percent of their income, not $3,400, while statistics show that a simple 4 months would have solved getting a handle on the pandemic numbers in the hospitals. In the United States, those states and people that thrived were those that locked down for 3-4 months, and then opened up again, such as Georgia, Florida, and Missouri (which is where I lived at the time). Many of the people who lived in the locked down states found themselves to be the answer, and moved out of states, such as New York and California.
Now, after the lockdowns have opened and the masks have gone away, for the most part, because of all the printed money that was injected into the economy, the United States and most of the globe is experiencing inflation. By July of 2022 the United States’ currency had inflated nearly 10%, meaning that you are paying 10% more for a loaf of bread or gallon of gas, on average.
Time to set up an emergency fund: After you have found your way out of debt, the next step is to build an emergency fund of 3-6 months. This is a safety net to prepare yo

Shadowing - If there are only a few interviewees and the manager doesn’t have a lot of time to interview you, or has already interviewed you and wants to see you in action, they will ask if you would like to shadow them, to see how they work. Always accept the invitation. This is not as much for your benefit, but to see how you interact with other employees, to see if you are a good worker, and to see if the interviewer will like you after a hard day of work. Remember, the manager will be working harder than you during the day, with much more responsibility and they want to show that to you, so they will most likely pack the day with things to accomplish. This can also show that they are interested in you. You will need to bring your A-Game.
Before the Shadowing Appointment:
Work around their Schedule – Do everything possible to meet when it is convenient for them.
Know the Details - Before you show up, make sure you are clear on the details. 
Appropriate attire - Make sure to ask beforehand what clothes you should wear. Do not wear a suit if you are going to dig in the dirt. You can ask for an itinerary, so you know how to prepare.
While Shadowing:
Show up early - This is an interview in action, and they want to make sure you will not just show up, but be early - since it’s a better indicator of how you will work if employed.
No phones - Put your phone on silent and keep it out of your hands. If you pick up the phone while you are shadowing, you most likely will not get the job. Show them that the job and this opportunity is very important to you.
Your best self - Present your best self with your body, non-verbal language, and speech.
Be positive and interact nicely with everyone you encounter - while you are with the manager, and while he is away. Others are watching, and the manager will most likely ask for others’ insight on you.
Be prepared to stay later than they ask. Managers have a job to accomplish, and this may be longer than the normal workday. Offer to stay to help with things afterwards, until they leave for the day, if they are accepting of this. You don’t have to do this after you are hired, but you are showing them that you work hard.
Get out of your comfort zone and ask to help wherever you see a need. They want to make sure you are a good fit, and who could be a better fit than someone who takes initiative. 
Take plenty of Notes - Bring a notepad. Remember, the interviewer may have the position you ultimately want. Take notes on what they are doing, so you can work towards that position. 
Ask plenty of questions to show your interest, and that you are trying to understand everything.
Earn the Position - Remember that you are not entitled to this job. This is how you earn it.
Reflect on your Career Path – Prepare to answer more personal career questions, spontaneously, in this interview. Prepare an answer to why you chose this position or job posting. This is a less formal setting, so don’t act like you have all the answers. Be humble and willing to, instead of making up an answer, ask a question to clarify, or gain advice from the interviewer.
Be curious, yet discreet – Show your interest in the interviewer and the position. Watch them for reactions, and empathize where possible. Practice active listening. Also, don’t cut them off.
After Shadowing: 
Send them a thank you note – Like after any interview, send a personalized note, to stay at the top of their mind, and the list of potential employees.
Remember to follow up with an answer you promised, or a task they gave you.
Follow up a week later, about the job, by asking a question in a quick, easy-to-respond-to email.
After you have the job offer, if you still feel loyal to the company you work for and think that a promotion would satisfy your disengagement, then go to your current employer and explain the situation. Do not go empty handed (without another job offer) because if this meeting doesn’t go well, you want something rea

Interview Process: When you find the job you like and turn in your resume, the next step to the process is waiting to be called for an interview. They may ask you questions or ask you to submit writing samples before you are called in, but at some point, you will be called in to talk to the company owner or manager or conference call, as they vet the best candidates for the position. There are two ways they may hold the first interview:
Group Interview – This is the going trend right now, because it saves time and weeds out candidates quickly. This is where all the applicants meet together and talk to the manager, all at once. This is where you get to make a name for yourself, by asking and answering questions, speaking up, and being a leader while in the group. You don’t want to be influenced by group-think, but if you want to make a name for yourself in the group, you want to make sure you speak up in front of the group. This shows initiative, that you can be part of an effective team, and that you will go out of the way to understand. Don’t be intimidated in this process; everyone is human, and the interviewer just wants to make sure they get the best person. After it is over, remember to send them a thank you card, so you stay at the top of their mind.
Individual Interview – This would normally happen after the group interview, if there are a lot of potential employees. If there are only a few candidates, then the manager in charge will meet with everyone individually. They may want the best candidate, but they do not want to scare people away with a group interview, which may be intimidating. You will set up a time that works best for both parties and come to the office to meet with your potential boss. Interviews normally happen in a closed office or conference room, but some may happen in a more public area, such as a café. Be flexible and, if you really want this position, willing to step outside of your comfort zone. They will ask you questions, and you will be able to ask them questions. When being interviewed, try these tips:
Before the Interview:
Start by researching the company, and talking to your potential coworkers. Research not only the company you are interested in, but their industry, competitors, and recent news. Be prepared.
Practice possible answers to questions they may ask. Search our site for “Common Questions.”
Reread the job description beforehand. You want to present yourself as the person they need.
Find people to role play with. This allows you to practice answering the common questions.
Prepare your list of references. Do not give them just anyone, make sure they are relevant to the job and remember to ask each beforehand.
Bring a portfolio or list of examples of your work. You want them to see you are prepared.
Make a list of Smart Questions you can ask, that show you did your research. Search “Smart Questions,” on our site, for examples.
Prepare a response to “behavior-based” questions, such as when they ask you to share an experience where you displayed behaviors that the company prioritizes and wants from you.
Plan your interview attire the night before. Make sure you come with the right dress code. Search “Interview Attire.” Make sure your appearance is clean and without blemish, but also matches the company culture. Don’t overdo the attire.
Bring many copies of your resume, a notepad, and pen. Take notes to show your attentiveness. 
Stay calm, both before the interview and during it. Make sure your actions, answers, questions, and all interactions are intentional.
Practice, practice, practice - as much as possible - by yourself and with others.
Ask for an interview in the morning. Statistics show that interviewers are more positive early in the day.
During the Interview:
Arrive at the interview at least 10-15 minutes early. Be prepared to sit and wait until called.
Treat everyone you encounter with respect, from those you encounter in the parking lot to the as

Simplified Explanation: Statistics have shown that Millennials and those younger will change their jobs four times in the first decade of working; only 29% of them feel engaged at their workplace; and 50% are dissatisfied with their work (Gallup polls, 2021). Adults are prone to searching out new jobs if they don’t like their work or side gigs if they want more work to pay the bills. This is not to demonize the work that employees are doing but instead to note that they can become disengaged, and they want something new.
Real Life: Everyone in America is able to quit their job and move on to another position that they are qualified for. The job market is very fluid, but if you are not qualified for a certain job or you don’t have the talent or skills, you will need to be trained for it, or continue working where you are. If you are not educated and skilled in the right area to get the job of your dreams, then that is up to you to change. Remember, you want another job and someone else would be happy to fill your position. If you want to change jobs, try these thoughtful questions before making the dive into a new career. The truth is, if you are dissatisfied with the job you have, it may not be the job that is disengaging you; so try this method to see if a potential job change is right for you.
What is it about the old/current job that you do not like? Can you/how can you make it more engaging?
Are you qualified for another position in the same company, and would that be engaging?
Is it the work that dissatisfies or disengages you, or is it something else (like the company culture)?
Will you feel joy in the next position - working for that company or another company - or will they all be a drag for you, because you aren’t doing what you want?
What is it you want to do? Are you qualified and have the talent to accomplish that job?
Would you be more satisfied if you had a side gig to mix things up, or is it that you just don’t want to work?
Is it the money you are making, the lack of a cause in the company, or do you just want something new?
Again, will you be satisfied with something in the future, or will you always be unhappy?
After you have answered these questions, you will have a better understanding of what is inside of you and why you feel disengaged or dissatisfied with your current job. It may not be the job that dissatisfies you. After answering these questions honestly, if you still want a new job, try asking the following questions. Then take these actions to begin the search for a new position:
What would you love to do at work? Remember, if you make your hobby your work, you may become dissatisfied with your hobby, and the thing you used to escape from your stress is now the thing you need to escape from. All that or you may begin to enjoy what you do and you may very much enjoy your new job.
Are there positions out there that can satisfy the needs you have? Search the web for job boards that may fulfill the need(s) that you have inside.
Did you find one? If they are out there, the next thing you should do is go interview someone that is doing that same job right now. If you can find someone that is dissatisfied and someone that is satisfied with the job, you will get a more well-rounded point of view. You would hate to take another job and then immediately find you are disengaged there as well. Remember that every time you change jobs and then list that in your resume for the next position, your next employer will see that, especially if they check references by calling up your previous work. The more you jump around the more your next boss will wonder if you will do that to them. There is a certain amount of movement that won’t spook an employer, but just make sure you won’t be moving around forever. A company loses thousands on training most employees, and the U.S. Economy loses billions each year on lost production; so do your research beforehand. Remember that if you move up in the company, th