Debt sucks. Interest rates feel like a slow bleed. The statements are like little monsters reminding you how not free you are. And the emotional rollercoaster? Real. But I’m here to tell you it’s possible to tackle your debt without spiraling or giving up everything that makes you feel like a human. Here’s how I’m paying off my debt while staying (mostly) sane and how you can too.
I Got Real With My Numbers
Step one was sitting down and facing the music. I pulled every credit card, loan, and bill into one ugly little spreadsheet. I listed balances, minimum payments, interest rates, yes, even the scary ones. Denial is comfortable, but clarity is power.
Pro Tip: Use a Google Sheet or app like Undebt.it to track and update your payoff progress. The dopamine hit when you knock out a balance is real.
I Chose the Avalanche Method (With a Snowball Attitude)
I pay off the highest-interest card first (avalanche), but I celebrate every small win like I just won the lottery (snowball energy). Why? Because staying motivated is more important than being perfect with math.
Psychology matters when you’re in this for the long haul.
I Picked Up Extra Work, But On My Terms
Yes, I work full-time. But I’ve also taken on part-time work that fits my schedule:
Helping friends clean out their airplane hangars twice a week.
I do Instacart for a few hours on my off-days.
I freelance when I can (hello UGC content and digital projects).
I dog-sit for my friends.
It’s not glamorous, but it adds up fast without draining my soul.
I Stopped Spending Like a Future Rich Girl
It’s tempting, I know. I love a Sephora moment and a well-styled brunch. But I started asking myself: “Do I want this… or do I want freedom?” Sometimes, the answer is still brunch. But way more often, it’s freedom. So now, I budget in a way that gives me mini luxuries on purpose, not impulse.
I use the “80/20 Budget Rule”: 80% goes to goals and needs, 20% goes to guilt-free fun. Even if it’s just $20, it’s mine to enjoy.
I Used the Buddy System
Accountability is key. I’ve got friends who also want to crush their debt, and we check in monthly. We celebrate payments. We vent about the struggle. We laugh at how broke we used to be. It keeps me going.
You don’t need a formal group. Just one reliable friend with similar goals will do or one that is your cheerleader.
I Negotiated My Bills & Called My Creditors
Yup. I put on my “respectfully assertive” voice and called my credit card companies. I asked for interest rate reductions, payment plans, and hardship programs. Only the ones that don’t ding your credit score. You’d be shocked how many will work with you if you just ask.
Pro Tip: I also cancelled subscriptions I barely used and shaved over $120/month off my life with one admin afternoon.
I Romanticized the Hustle
Mindset is half the game. Paying off debt is hard, but I made it feel empowering. I treat every payment like a mini act of rebellion against the version of me who felt stuck. I toast to paid-off cards with kombucha. I track progress like I’m training for a marathon.
I Kept the Endgame in Sight
I have a Post-It on my computer monitor that says:
“This is temporary. Debt-free is forever.”
When I’m exhausted or tempted to “treat myself” in a self-sabotaging way, I remember: I’m not depriving myself, I’m rescuing myself.
You don’t have to give up your social life, your joy, or your mental health to get out of debt. You just need a strategy, a little hustle, and a lot of grace with yourself. I’m not done yet, but every month, I get a little closer.
And if you’re in it too? I’m rooting for you. Hard.
