A Mess Free Life may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
Maureen Campaiola was the original founder of “A Mess Free Life”. Her story of getting out of debt by literally cleaning up homes provided the kernals of knowledge and inspiration that drive “A Mess Free Life” to this day. “A Mess Free Life” is dedicated to giving useful information about creating a clean home and happy debt-free life, a theme inspired by Maureen Campaiola. Below you can hear her story in her own words.
About Maureen Campaiola (original founder of A Mess Free Life) in her own words
Before I founded my cleaning company and got out of debt, I struggled with overspending for most of my life and finally realized that budgeting and spending freezes do not equal financial peace, as most budget programs will have you believe.
I discovered that there was a reason I was overspending: my life sucked.
Spending money was my only source of happiness, connection, and relaxation, and until I addressed the cause of my overspending, I would never be financially free.
So, I fixed my life, healed my emotional spending, and got out of debt. This website teaches women how to do this.
Here’s what I believe:
Once you get clear on how to take care of yourself – rooted in what you value most – your money fixes itself.
Besides my formal training as a Certified Coach and Spiritual Healer, most of my training comes from my unending curiosity about what makes me and others tick. I have been coached and trained by some of the best therapists, life coaches, intuitives, spiritual teachers and healers in the world. I look forward to sharing that knowledge with you.
WHO I AM
I’m a writer, entrepreneur, DIYer, photographer, mother to my grown daughter Carrie and grandmother to Lucas, Madelyn, and Aubrey. Never in a million years did I think I’d have not one but three grandchildren! It blows my mind every single day!
Until last year I was also a full-time caretaker to my mother Anne. Caregiving is a grueling task and I have a lot of understanding and compassion for anyone who is currently caring for a loved one. I know first hand just how difficult it can be.
After her passing my daughter and I decided to join forces and we now live together as a multi-generational household.
I feel like I know many of you personally. In the years I’ve been blogging I’ve read countless emails from so many of you – and I’ve read each and every one so I could further understand your struggles, hopes, and dreams.
We have a lot in common – we want to eliminate as much of the chaos in our lives, live a simpler life and live the later part of our days unencumbered by debt and clutter.
MY DEBT FREE JOURNEY…
In 2002, with the sudden loss of my job and a string of bad decisions, I found myself with no savings, $50,000 in credit card debt, $28,000 in student loans, a kid in college and no plan. My breaking point was the day the foreclosure notice came in the mail.
I was desperate to change my financial situation, so I picked myself up from my bootstraps, dusted myself off and started my residential and commercial cleaning business. Over the next several years I grew that business to multi-six figures and began to slowly dig myself out of debt.
Simultaneously, I started to learn everything I could about money, my relationship with it and why I was so addicted to shopping. What I discovered shocked, saddened and surprised me. But ultimately, what I learned transformed me from a broke, credit card wielding shopaholic to a responsible, debt-free woman who has a new found respect for money.
Many people have asked, what was my secret to success?
ACCEPTANCE
That’s right, my secret was and still is grounded in acceptance.
You see, getting out of debt and staying out of debt required me to, above all else, accept where I was in that moment. From accepting my desperate circumstances to accepting my financial triumphs, they were and still are important in my overall financial journey.
In my past, I was surrounded by people who were wrapped up in keeping up with the Jones’. I fell into that trap, too. My former best friend’s motto was “Bigger, Better, Best”! And although it’s fine to want nice things, what I know is it becomes very detrimental to your self-worth when you focus solely on what you want and how you’re going to get it.
Through a long and sometimes painful process, I’ve come to accept my circumstances, find joy in the simple things in life and have learned gratitude is the most crucial attitude you can cultivate when you’re moving through any difficult journey.
And so A Mess Free Life was born from the experiences that took me from sky high in debt and stressed out to happy, debt free, and living a simpler, calmer, life.
What It’s All About…
A Mess Free Life is all about helping you crush your debt, save money, end the roller coaster of emotional and impulse spending and help you create a joy filled life!
I share sensible solutions, and straight from the hip, no holds barred, brutally honest advice about getting out of debt. So if you’re serious about changing your financial circumstances understand I don’t beat around the bush. It won’t help you in the long run, and I only wish I had someone who would have been that honest with me back in the day.
Second, the first step to a debt-free life is acceptance of your current circumstances. I’ll provide you with ideas on a new way of living, and I’ll encourage you to enjoy a simple but wonderful life. Ultimately, what that means will be different for each and every one of you.
Third, I’ll show you the best ways to get your home clean and decluttered. I’ve owned and operated a commercial and residential cleaning business for over 15 years, and in that time I’ve learned some great tricks for cleaning fast and efficiently. I’ll share freely what I know with you.
Lastly, I love to share inspiration to help you achieve the life you always dreamed of. I’ll do my best to share what has worked for me and others.
What Else Gets Me Up In The Morning…
My daughter Carrie is my best friend and closest confidant. Her spirit and laugh are infectious. I would be lost without her.
I never in a million years thought being a grandmother to Lucas, Madelyn and Aubrey would almost surpass being a mom to Carrie. It was love at first sight.
Living in New England is heaven on earth particularly cold, crisp, windy October’s where the leaves are changing colors and creating the most breathtaking scenery.
I’m a cat lover – my daughter loves to tell me I’m one cat shy of becoming the crazy cat lady.
The ocean has an appeal and lure that one wouldn’t understand if you don’t live close enough to enjoy the ocean regularly.
Food. Yup, pretty much any food. When I was a kid, I ate ice cream for breakfast pretty regularly, so it’s safe to say I have a soft spot in my belly for ice cream – coffee heath bar to be exact. Being a great cook, I’m fortunate enough to be able to experiment and test out my creations with family and friends at regular ‘dinner at Moe’s’.
I like to keep it simple; I like to laugh, love coffee and good conversation, but most of all, I love my family. And that pretty much sums me up.
Here at A Mess Free Life, you’ll find a selection of topics I write about regularly. My primary focus is topics related to helping you transform your relationship with money and get out of “debt jail” along with helpful articles on decluttering and cleaning.
-
Master Your Money
11 Habits of People Who Are Debt Free
Why Money Slips Through Your Fingers {And What To Do About It}
Does Living On A Budget Mean You’re Broke?
Why Using Cash Only Is Crucial When Getting Out of Debt
Why I’m Not A Fan of The No Spend Challenge
Commonly Forgotten Budget Expenses You’ll Want To Include
-
Master Your Home
12 Habits of People Who Always Have A Clean Home
Housekeeping Tips for The Domestically Challenged
7 Cleaning Mistakes Almost Everybody Makes
10 Daily Tasks That Will Keep Your Home Clean and Organized
Unbelievable Uses for The Magic Eraser You Don’t Know About
Final Thoughts
I love connecting with my readers, and I particularly enjoy when readers send me their comments, concerns, questions or just to voice their opinion. Rest assured I read every single email that comes from you and I do my best to respond to each and every one. I am inspired and humbled that you share yourself with me so personally, and I don’t take that for granted – not for one single minute.
I’d love for you to join our email list so you can stay up to date on what’s happening here at A Mess Free Life. I promise I won’t clog your inbox, I’ll be respectful of your time and I’ll send you a few goodies every now and then because, hey- that’s how I roll!
