By Jax Stys, certified life coach · Last updated: October 25, 2026
Quick answer: I paid off $32,972 of credit card debt in 23 months as a single mom. Here’s how: I listed every debt, cut the extras, picked up side income, paid the highest-interest card first, and checked my budget every Sunday. Then I kept going. As of September 2026, I’ve paid off $45K in total.
Let’s face it: debt can feel like that uninvited guest who overstays their welcome. It looms over you, whispers in your ear during sleepless nights, and won’t leave, no matter how much you hint it’s time to go.
I’ve been there.
I was drowning in $32,972 of bad debt.
I was a single mom.
I was wondering if I’d ever see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Spoiler alert: I did. And with some hard work, creativity, and a dash of sacrifice, you can too.
So grab a cup of tea (or that Starbucks I missed for nearly two years), and let’s get into exactly how I paid off my debt in less than 24 months, all while raising my son, holding down a full-time job, and handling life with the grace of a clumsy penguin.
My 6 steps at a glance:
The first step to paying off debt is knowing what you’re up against. I had to get honest with myself and face the scary truth of just how much I owed.
I grabbed a notebook (or you can use Excel if you’re fancy) and wrote down:
Anything over 5% interest went into my “bad debt” column. You know, the kind that makes your bank account cry.
And credit cards are the worst offenders. In the second quarter of 2026, the average credit card rate for accounts that pay interest was 22.15%, according to the Federal Reserve. That’s why credit card debt grows so fast.
Seeing it all laid out was overwhelming, but it gave me clarity. How can you tackle what you owe if you don’t know what you owe?
Try this: Set a 20-minute timer tonight. Write down every debt, its balance, and its interest rate. That’s it. That’s step one.
Cut anything that isn’t a need or a true joy, and send that money to your debt. For me, that meant some tough love decisions. I went full-on Marie Kondo with my finances: if it didn’t spark joy (or wasn’t a must), it had to go.
Here’s what I cut:
• Subscriptions: Bye Netflix and cable; hello free library movies.
• Groceries: I switched to a store that didn’t make me feel like I was shopping for diamonds instead of food.
• Dining out: Adios takeout; hello meal prep.
• Skincare: Drugstore brands became my BFF.
• Health insurance: I adjusted my plan to save money (without giving up what I needed).
• Internet: Slowed it down just a notch. I wasn’t streaming anyway.
Did I miss my fancy lattes and overpriced beauty products? Absolutely.
Did I miss the stress of being broke? Not one bit.
Want more ways to free up cash each month? Read the clever way to increase your cash flow and lower monthly debt.
Add small side income and send every extra dollar straight to debt. Cutting expenses was only part of the equation. To really make progress, I needed more income, so I got creative.
Here’s how I made extra money back then:
• Remote side job with Appen: I signed up to rate ads on social media, bringing in an extra $1,200 a month. It was flexible, remote, and perfect for my schedule.
• Employer wellness app: My job offered a fitness incentive program. I earned $200 every quarter just for moving my body.
• Dividends: I took an easy $480 a year in cash instead of reinvesting my quarterly dividends.
These small income streams added up quickly, and every dollar went straight to paying off my debt. You can find ideas for side gigs and part-time income on Pinterest, Side Hustle Nation, or The Side Hustle Show podcast.
Try this: List 3 things you could do for extra money in 5 hours a week. Pick one to try this month.
Pick one method and stick with it. I used the avalanche method, which means paying off the highest-interest debt first. The snowball method pays off the smallest balance first for quick wins. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that paying the highest rate first can save you money, while the smallest-debt-first method gives you faster motivation.
Once my expenses were trimmed and extra income was flowing, it was time to get laser-focused.
Here’s the plan I followed:
Paying off one credit card at a time felt like a game. And every win motivated me to keep going.
Review your money every single week. Here’s the truth: consistency is the key to paying off debt. For 23 months, I reviewed every dollar I spent.
Sunday mornings became sacred for my money check-ins. I’d add up all my spending, adjust my budget, and make sure every dollar had a purpose.
Was it tedious? Sure.
Did it work? YES. IT. DID.
Try this: Put a 15-minute “Money Sunday” on your calendar this week. Coffee optional. Showing up is not.
Celebrate, then put any extra money to work instead of spending it. By month 23, I had officially paid off $32,972 of debt. 🎉
And then, something unexpected happened: I received a case settlement. I could have splurged (trust me, I was tempted), but instead, I:
• Paid off my son’s car loan.
• Gifted him enough to clear his bad debt.
• Opened a Roth IRA and maxed out my yearly contribution.
• Stashed the rest in a high-yield savings account.
It felt amazing to use that money wisely, knowing I was building a stable future for myself and my son.
Here’s where I stood when I first wrote this post in March 2025:
• Debt: I still had a small auto loan and a Parent PLUS student loan, both under 5%.
• Savings: I had a fully funded emergency fund in a high-yield account, with 12 months of expenses saved.
• Investments: I was maxing out my Roth IRA every year and putting more into my 401(k).
• Goals: I was saving for a short-term vacation rental property in South Carolina in another high-yield savings account.
Oh, and yes, I brought Starbucks back into my life. (Moderation is key, folks.)
I kept going. As of September 2026, I’ve paid off $45K of debt in total.
I paid off my auto loan in full in June 2026. Now I own my $26K car outright, with no car payment.
I also took a vacation with my son to Charleston, South Carolina. We had a great time, and it was worth every penny.
Here’s the honest part: I have small balances on two credit cards right now, plus my Parent PLUS loan.
Here’s what the rest looks like, as of September 2026:
• I’m putting 7% of my salary into my 401(k), plus my company match.
• I’m planning to max out my Roth IRA again this year.
• My emergency fund is strong, with 6+ months of expenses saved.
• I add to a vacation fund every month.
And the same habits that got me out of debt helped me rebuild my whole life after 40. I share all five steps in 5 Ways to Start Reinventing Your Life After 40.
These 10 everyday habits kept me on track while I paid off debt. Pick one to try this week.
If you’re ready to tackle your debt, here’s my advice:
Starting over with money after 40? Read my guide on how to start over financially after 40.
Want my exact system? Get my 10 free mini guides for women 40+, including my Debt Payoff Blueprint and Weekly Money Reset.
Remember, your money situation doesn’t define you. You can change your story with focus, creativity, and a plan.
I listed every debt and interest rate, cut extras like subscriptions and takeout, and added side income, including about $1,200 a month from a remote job. I put every extra dollar toward the highest-interest debt first and reviewed my budget every Sunday. By month 23, I had paid off $32,972.
The avalanche method pays the highest interest rate first, which usually saves the most money. The snowball method pays the smallest balance first, which gives you quick wins. I used the avalanche method, but the best method is the one you will stick with.
Start by knowing your numbers, then cut what you can and add one small income stream. I rated ads online for extra income and used an employer wellness program that paid $200 a quarter. Small amounts add up fast when every dollar goes to debt.
Build a strong emergency fund, then start investing. After I paid off my debt, I opened a Roth IRA, saved 12 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account, and kept going. As of September 2026, I’ve paid off $45K in total.
Track every dollar for a month, build a realistic budget that covers needs first, automate a small amount of savings each paycheck, and use cash or debit instead of credit. Waiting 24 hours before impulse buys and saving a little for big expenses also keeps you off credit cards.
Paying off $32K in debt wasn’t easy, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I now live with less stress, more stability, and a clear path to my goals.
If I can do it as a single mom, you can too.
Start small.
Stay consistent.
Keep your eyes on the prize.
And when you’re sipping that well-deserved latte after paying off your debt, think of me, cheering you on every step of the way.
If you want help making a plan for your money, your health, and your next chapter, start with the free Glow Assessment.
Let’s chat! What’s your biggest money goal right now? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to cheer you on. And if this story helped you, share it with a friend who needs a little push to tackle her debt.
With love, humor, and a whole lot of budgeting magic,
Jax
Sources
This post shares my personal experience and is not financial advice.
