How I Got Out of Debt Fast (And You Can Too)

Debt can feel like a prison. I was stuck with over $12,000 in credit card and student loan debt, and it felt impossible to break free. But within 18 months, I was debt-free. Here’s the simple plan I followed—and how you can do the same.

1. I Stopped Borrowing Cold Turkey

No more credit cards, no new loans, and no more “buy now, pay later.” I cut spending and forced myself to live on what I actually earned.

2. I Built a Mini Emergency Fund

Before paying off debt, I saved $1,000 as a safety net to avoid relying on credit again. This kept me from falling back into the debt trap.

3. I Used the Snowball Method

I listed all my debts from smallest to largest and paid them off one at a time. Every small win gave me more motivation to tackle the next one.

4. I Took a Side Gig

I started freelancing on weekends—writing, delivery apps, and some online reselling. That brought in an extra $300–$500/month to put toward debt.

5. I Tracked Everything

Every dollar had a job. I created a basic budget using Google Sheets, and I reviewed it every week to stay on track.

The Result? In just 18 months, I paid off every penny. No windfalls. No help. Just consistency. If I can do it, so can you.