Transparency makes me giddy. And simplicity makes me swoon. Ergo, my crush du jour: Baker. Adam Baker. Want to know how much money he really makes? He and his wife will give you the bare details. Want to know what he thinks about religion and money? He’ll tell ya. This guy is so radically transparent, he’ll even show his love handles. He’s the ManVsDebt. Champion of frugality, accountability, and fat burning.

1. What is your purpose for money? I want to dominate it. I want to be 100% debt-free, owe not one person a single cent. I want to have enough of it to not need anymore of it. I want it to be able to empower my other dreams, not restrict them. And I don’t want to wait 40 years.

2. What questions in your life had the biggest impact?

• Today, if your doctor called and informed you that you had 24 hours left to live… what did you miss?

• Who did you not get to be?

• What did you not get to do?

3. What do you know to be true, unquestionably beyond doubt, certain with every cell of your being, completely, passionately, righteously certain? Nothing. I’m always trying to learn and always trying to evolve. Certainty can be a blessing and a curse. I will give you this, I know I am extremely fortunate. I have a beautiful, healthy wife and daughter. I’ve always had access to food, water, shelter. I am CERTAIN that I am lucky and there are those far, far less fortunate in the world.

4. What book(s) are you always telling people to read? I only try to refer people to books that have really, really had an impact on me: Your Money or Your Life–Radically jolted my views on money The Total Money Makeover – Inspired the passion and intensity I have toward money Awaken The Giant Within–First introduced me to concepts of changing crap you aren’t happy with in your life. How to Win Friends and Influence People–I’m always flattered when someone calls me a ‘people person’. I can thank Dale Carnegie for most of this. Alive–An incredible true story of willpower and survival. I nearly read the entire book in one sitting. It made me laugh, dream, cry, and most importantly appreciate like never before.

5. Who are you trying to impress? Myself. Whenever I think or do something that really impresses me deep down, I know it’s amazing. Now I’m just trying to figure out how to do this more often! I also strive to continually impress my wife and daughter. As long as they are impressed, I’m happy.

6. What global policy, credo, practice or law would you like to decree? I would ban the ability to charge and collect interest on any loan worldwide. Money would have to be given, loaned at 0%, or invested in equity of businesses and ventures. There would be a huge upfront shock, but in the end we would survive and adapt to a much more sustainable and reliable way of doing business.

7. I’m going to give you a word. Tell me the first thing that comes to mind when you read it… Ready? The word is: GENEROSITY. In this day and age? Probably, giving your focused time and energy without expecting ANYTHING in return. Nothing. How often do we really concentrate on something or someone without distraction and without asking what’s in it for ourselves?

And a bonus Q: Why do you think transparency is so essential to the work you’re doing? Transparency is huge for me. So many times we all ‘fake it until we make it’ only to realize that in order to continue ‘making it’, we have to continue ‘faking it’. I don’t want to do that. I’m not a guru, I’m just a passionate guy whose willing to share his experiences. I think people dig that, especially in our increasingly digital world.

Transparency also gives me incredible amount of accountability. I get to set my goals, but once I do, several thousand people are watching to see if I flub it up. I like the pressure, it helps me excel. In the end, if I’m going to rant about the benefits of ditching clutter, tracking spending, or anything else, I better be walking-the-walk myself. If the transparency rubs off on even a couple people, I’ll be stoked!

Clearly, a Man vs Debt is good to find.

With Love,

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Find Adam Baker
ManVsDebt
ManVsFat
Twitter: @manvsdebt