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. 😉
