From Avoidance to Abundance: How I’m Paying Off $20k in Debt & Saving Thousands in 5 Months
Last year, I spent most of my time traveling—Costa Rica, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico—living freely, seeing the world. But when I returned to Atlanta, reality hit: I had no stable job, no home of my own, and no real plan for the future. And the biggest thing standing between me and the life I wanted? My finances.
The Turning Point: Realizing I Wanted More
For years, I avoided thinking about money because it felt stressful and overwhelming. I wasn’t irresponsible—I always made sure I had just enough—but I didn’t have a plan. My mindset was: I got money, let’s spend it! But as my travels wrapped up and I found myself back in the same cycle of instability, I knew I wanted more than just experiences—I wanted financial stability, financial freedom, and the ability to build something real.
That realization led me to set a new goal: Pay off my debt and create a financial foundation for my future.
Facing My Finances Head-On
The first step I took was laying out all of my debts and monthly expenses. Seeing the numbers in black and white forced me to face my reality, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, I saw possibility. I realized that I had enough money to manage my bills—I just needed a strategy.
Then, I made one simple move that changed everything: I started saving $1 a day.
It wasn’t much, but it was consistent. That $1 turned into $2 a day, and soon I started throwing extra money in whenever I could. I also committed to putting 10% of my income into savings. After just 4.5 months, I had saved $1,600—money I didn’t need to touch. For the first time, saving felt exciting, not restrictive. It was proof that small steps add up in a big way.
Finding the Right Job & Creating a Plan
With my savings growing, I knew the next step was finding a high-paying W-2 job. I wanted something that could get me to my goal of making $10K a month, and after searching, I found exactly what I needed.
That’s when I turned to ChatGPT (aka my personal accountant). I used it to:
- Calculate my total income and monthly expenses
- Create a debt repayment plan
- Ensure I could still save while paying off debt
Having that structure gave me clarity and confidence. Instead of stressing over how I’d get out of debt, I could focus on being excited about my new job and executing the plan.
The Shift: From Fear to Abundance
Now that I’m actively paying off debt, my mindset around money has completely transformed.
- I feel in control instead of avoiding my finances.
- I feel abundant AF instead of worried about how much money I have.
- I feel motivated knowing that in just 5 months, I’ll be debt-free.
I can envision my financial freedom by my birthday in August, and I know that this time, I’m moving differently. I understand money now. I know how to use credit wisely. I know how to build wealth, not just survive.
My Biggest Takeaway: Start Small, Stay Consistent
I don’t really give advice, but I’ll say this: Saving money doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I started with $1 a day, and now I have over $1,600 saved without stress. Having that cushion makes all the difference—it relieves pressure, gives me peace of mind, and lets me focus on bigger goals instead of living in financial survival mode.
I used to think saving was pointless, but now? I get it. I see how it builds security. I see how it gives me options. And most importantly, I see how it allows me to focus on the future instead of stressing about the present.
So if you feel stuck in your finances, just start somewhere. Even if it’s $1 a day. Even if it feels small. Small steps lead to big moves.
And if you need help figuring it out? Use ChatGPT. Trust me—it’s like having a personal accountant without the cost. 😉
Art as a Catalyst for Social Change
In 2019, The Pay It Forward Experience was launched in Oakland, California, not just as an event but as a movement. Instead of charging a monetary entry fee, attendees were asked to bring donation items for the local community in need. This initiative not only showcased diverse artistic talents—ranging from DJs to singers and producers—but also turned art into a powerful medium for community service.
The impact was profound. Artists and community members came together, breaking barriers and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. One participant remarked on the comfort and freedom they felt in sharing their art in our created space. We even prayed over the donation items, adding a layer of communal spirit and intention before distributing them.
The response was overwhelming; what was intended as a one-time event became a recurring experience, demanded by performers and attendees alike. It showed me the power of art not just to entertain, but to unite, heal, and rejuvenate spirits.
Through The Pay It Forward Experience, I've seen firsthand that art is invaluable. It can touch hearts, inspire change, and even start movements. To fellow artists, remember: your art has the power to make a difference. Embrace it, share it, and use it as a force for good. You never know who's watching, who you're inspiring, or who might need the message you have to share.
The Resonance of Authenticity: How Art Intersects with Mental Health
The Resonance of Authenticity: How Art Intersects with Mental Health
Music has always been my therapist, a reflection of my inner world that sometimes knew me better than I knew myself. It was through music that I learned to not just sit with my emotions but to embrace them. Whether I was upset, thrilled, or heartbroken, music was my outlet, leading to some of my most profound creative work.
The journey with my song "Self-Love" illustrates this beautifully. Initially penned in a moment of self-doubt, it wasn't until two years later that I felt aligned with its message enough to release it. Now, it serves as a morning anthem for many, a testament to the power of music not just to express but to heal and guide.
As an artist, I don't seek to control how my audience perceives me but focus on ensuring that whatever I put out is real and from a place of truth. This responsibility shapes how I approach music, not rushing to release but ensuring each piece offers something genuine. I've learned that not every song needs to reach the world; some are just for me, and that's perfectly okay. It's this authenticity that ensures the essence of what I create never fades, even as trends come and go.
For other artists navigating the pressures of production and authenticity, remember: you are your own boss. Be the leader you need, and know that your unique voice is what will leave a lasting impact. Authenticity always sticks, long after the trends have faded.
The Resonance of Authenticity: How Art Intersects with Mental Health
Music has always been my therapist, a reflection of my inner world that sometimes knew me better than I knew myself. It was through music that I learned to not just sit with my emotions but to embrace them. Whether I was upset, thrilled, or heartbroken, music was my outlet, leading to some of my most profound creative work.
The journey with my song "Self-Love" illustrates this beautifully. Initially penned in a moment of self-doubt, it wasn't until two years later that I felt aligned with its message enough to release it. Now, it serves as a morning anthem for many, a testament to the power of music not just to express but to heal and guide.
As an artist, I don't seek to control how my audience perceives me but focus on ensuring that whatever I put out is real and from a place of truth. This responsibility shapes how I approach music, not rushing to release but ensuring each piece offers something genuine. I've learned that not every song needs to reach the world; some are just for me, and that's perfectly okay. It's this authenticity that ensures the essence of what I create never fades, even as trends come and go.
For other artists navigating the pressures of production and authenticity, remember: you are your own boss. Be the leader you need, and know that your unique voice is what will leave a lasting impact. Authenticity always sticks, long after the trends have faded.
Heirloom - Transforming Pain into Power
Heirloom: Turning My Pain into Power
Grief has a way of freezing time. When my grandmother passed a couple of years ago, my family wasn’t ready. We scrambled to clear her apartment, trying to make sense of something none of us could truly prepare for. In the chaos, the things she had promised me—tangible pieces of her love and memory—were taken by other family members. I was torn up about it. But deeper than that, I was lost, numb, and powerless.
In the weeks leading up to her passing, I felt myself dimming. I didn’t want to be seen. Intense emotions were rising inside me, emotions that scared me. I didn’t know what to do with them, so I just… froze.
Then, something shifted.
A friend of mine came into town with a few of her people. When I introduced myself, I didn’t mention my artistry—I didn’t claim my gifts. My friend caught it immediately. She stopped me, checked me, and reminded me of something I had momentarily forgotten:
I am an artist. I am talented. I am powerful. And it’s my responsibility to use what I have been given.
That night, I went home, sat with my grief, and did the only thing that felt real in that moment—I wrote. The words poured out of me, turning the pain into something I could hold, something that could heal. I recorded a song called Heirloom, a song about how the real inheritance isn’t material—it’s mindset. It’s the strength, resilience, and faith passed down through generations.
When I played it for my friend on the way to the airport the next morning, she cried. And in that moment, I knew—this wasn’t just about me anymore.
Heirloom reminds me every time I hear it that my voice is powerful. That my talent is touched by God. That nothing can break me. There is always hope, favor, and blessing, even in loss.
So if you’re reading this and you’re in pain, know this:
You are not alone. There are people in this world who see you, who want the best for you, who are here to remind you of who you are when you forget.
And above all, remember this: You have the power to alchemize anything. Pain, grief, sadness—if you sit with it, if you accept it, it will show you who you are on a deeper level.
Heirloom: Turning My Pain into Power
Grief has a way of freezing time. When my grandmother passed a couple of years ago, my family wasn’t ready. We scrambled to clear her apartment, trying to make sense of something none of us could truly prepare for. In the chaos, the things she had promised me—tangible pieces of her love and memory—were taken by other family members. I was torn up about it. But deeper than that, I was lost, numb, and powerless.
In the weeks leading up to her passing, I felt myself dimming. I didn’t want to be seen. Intense emotions were rising inside me, emotions that scared me. I didn’t know what to do with them, so I just… froze.
Then, something shifted.
A friend of mine came into town with a few of her people. When I introduced myself, I didn’t mention my artistry—I didn’t claim my gifts. My friend caught it immediately. She stopped me, checked me, and reminded me of something I had momentarily forgotten:
I am an artist. I am talented. I am powerful. And it’s my responsibility to use what I have been given.
That night, I went home, sat with my grief, and did the only thing that felt real in that moment—I wrote. The words poured out of me, turning the pain into something I could hold, something that could heal. I recorded a song called Heirloom, a song about how the real inheritance isn’t material—it’s mindset. It’s the strength, resilience, and faith passed down through generations.
When I played it for my friend on the way to the airport the next morning, she cried. And in that moment, I knew—this wasn’t just about me anymore.
Heirloom reminds me every time I hear it that my voice is powerful. That my talent is touched by God. That nothing can break me. There is always hope, favor, and blessing, even in loss.
So if you’re reading this and you’re in pain, know this:
You are not alone. There are people in this world who see you, who want the best for you, who are here to remind you of who you are when you forget.
And above all, remember this: You have the power to alchemize anything. Pain, grief, sadness—if you sit with it, if you accept it, it will show you who you are on a deeper level.