5 Tips for Dealing with Debt (From Someone Who's Been There... and Overdrafted my account on a Frappuccino that made it a $38 drink!)

Hello and Welcome back!

Debt. Even the word makes my blood pressure tick up a notch and my left eyelid do that weird twitchy thing. Whether it’s student loans, credit cards, medical bills, or the infamous “how did I spend THAT much at Target when I just went in for toothpaste” situation, debt has this sneaky little way of creeping into our lives and setting up shop like it pays rent. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. But you already knew that.

Here’s the deal. Debt can feel overwhelming, embarrassing, and downright paralyzing if you let it. It’s like that one house guest who doesn’t take the hint to leave. So let’s stop tiptoeing around it and talk about five practical, actionable ways to deal with it. Not from some high horse. Not from some finance guru who’s never made a bad decision. From me. A normal person who’s made mistakes, fixed some of them, and is still working on others because, apparently, I am determined to learn things the hard way.

1. Stop Avoiding It (Yes, Even If You’re Scared)

Look, I know this sounds harsh but hear me out. You can’t fight what you refuse to face. I get it. I’ve been there. Sometimes it feels easier to just ignore the statements, not log in to your accounts, and tell yourself that “future you” will deal with it. Except future me is usually just current me in pajamas with less hope and more caffeine.

Take a deep breath. Grab a notebook, open a spreadsheet, light a candle if it helps. Write it all down. Every balance, every interest rate, every minimum payment. Seeing it in black and white is scary but it’s also freeing because now you know exactly what you’re working with. No more monsters hiding under the bed. Just some unfortunate numbers that need handling.

2. Make a Budget (That Doesn’t Make You Hate Life)

I’m not talking about one of those starvation-level, zero-joy budgets where you cut out everything you enjoy and live on rice and beans like you’re on some kind of survivalist reality show. No. That’s punishment, not progress. And plans are what we’re after here.

A good budget is realistic. It accounts for your actual life. Yes, you need to cut some things. Yes, you probably need to stop with the Amazon impulse buys for a bit (talking to myself here too). But also, give yourself a little breathing room. Budget for a coffee here and there, or a cheap movie night. It’s easier to stick with a plan when you don’t hate every minute of it and resent every dollar like it personally wronged you.

3. Prioritize the Right Way (AKA Don’t Be Like Me and Pay Off a Store Card Before Your Credit Card at 25% Interest)

Not all debt is created equal. Some of it is just more evil than others. High-interest credit cards? That’s enemy number one. Payday loans? If you’ve got those, drop everything and focus there. Medical debt or student loans with low interest? Those are still important but maybe not quite as urgent as the others.

You don’t have to tackle it all at once. Focus on one debt at a time. Pay the minimum on the rest and throw every extra dollar you can at the one you’re targeting. This is called the snowball or avalanche method depending on your preference, but honestly? Just pick one and stick with it. Consistency beats perfection every time. Especially when perfection is busy scrolling Pinterest for things to buy when you’re supposed to be saving money.

4. Find Your Triggers and Outsmart Them (Because We’re Smarter Than a Clearance Sticker… Most Days)

You know yourself. You know what situations lead to you swiping the card or clicking “place order.” For some people, it’s boredom. For others, it’s stress. Or feeling left out. Or just plain old habit. I myself am highly susceptible to emails with phrases like “limited time” and “extra 30% off.” They see me coming.

Figure out your triggers and come up with a plan to beat them at their own game. If you tend to shop when you’re stressed, replace that with something healthier — maybe journaling, exercising, or even just calling a friend to vent about how badly you want to buy something you don’t need. If you buy out of boredom, block the shopping apps and try something new like a hobby or skill you’ve been wanting to pick up. Or, I don’t know, clean out your junk drawer. That’s free and oddly satisfying.

The point is not to shame yourself for the behavior but to recognize it so you can make better choices moving forward. Self-awareness is a superpower. A slightly uncomfortable superpower, but a superpower all the same.

5. Give Yourself Some Grace (And Maybe Hide the Credit Card From Yourself Now and Then)

This one is important so lean in. You’re not going to be perfect at this. You will mess up. You’ll probably buy something dumb at some point during this process. You might even backslide. That doesn’t mean you failed. That means you’re human.

Beating yourself up won’t make the debt go away any faster. All it does is drain your energy and motivation. So, when you stumble, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back to it. Progress isn’t linear. Some months will be better than others. Celebrate the wins and learn from the losses. You’re not alone in this. If you need proof, just look at my Amazon purchase history.

Final Thoughts

Debt doesn’t define you. It’s just a number on paper. It’s a problem, sure, but it’s a solvable one. The key is to face it head-on, make a plan, and stick with it as best you can. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be persistent.

And if you’re like me and find motivation in visual progress, make yourself a little tracker. Color in boxes, cross off milestones, whatever feels satisfying. It’s a small thing but it helps to see how far you’ve come when you’re knee-deep in the grind.

One day, sooner than you think, you’ll look back and realize how much stronger you are because of this journey. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll even help someone else find their way through it too. Probably with the same tired humor and coffee-fueled wisdom you picked up along the way.

What has helped you tackle debt? What hopeful advice would you offer yourself a year ago?