5 Simple Things I Did To Pay off $20,000 in 6 Months

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Let me be real with you—I never thought I’d be able to pay off $20,000 in debt in just six months. It felt impossible at first, and there were moments when I wanted to give up.

But after making some big changes, I managed to knock it out quicker than I ever imagined. I’m not a financial expert or anything, but these five strategies completely turned things around for me. If I can do it, I know you can too.

So, let me walk you through exactly what I did to crush that debt.

1. Creating a Strict Budget

The first thing I had to do was sit down and get real about my spending. I started tracking everything—and I mean everything. You’d be surprised how quickly those $5 coffee runs or impulse purchases add up. I used a simple spreadsheet and wrote down where every dollar went.

Then, I prioritized my needs over wants. No more eating out, no more new clothes just because something was on sale. It was all about paying the bills and making sure I had food to eat. After creating a budget that covered only the essentials, I adjusted to a frugal lifestyle—and let me tell you, it wasn’t as hard as I thought once I got into the swing of things. Every extra dollar went straight to my debt.

2. Using the Snowball Method

There are a couple of popular ways to pay off debt—the snowball method and the avalanche method. I did my research and chose the snowball method. With the snowball method, I started with the smallest debt first. That way, I got the momentum going by quickly eliminating small debts, which made me feel like I was actually making progress.

If you’re more interested in saving on interest, the avalanche method is better. It focuses on paying off debts with the highest interest rates first. Whichever method you choose, the key is to stay consistent. Those small wins really kept me motivated.

3. Cutting Unnecessary Expenses

This one was a game changer. I realized I was paying for so many things I didn’t even use—gym memberships, streaming services, apps on my phone that had monthly fees. It was like I was giving my money away without even realizing it! I canceled everything I could live without.

On top of that, I started cooking all my meals at home, which saved me a ton. No more takeout or expensive coffee shops. I also called my phone and internet providers to negotiate better rates. Turns out, if you ask, they’re often willing to work with you to lower your bill. Who knew?

4. Increasing My Income

At some point, I realized that cutting expenses wasn’t enough. I needed to bring in more cash. So, I started looking for ways to make extra money. I picked up a few side hustles—nothing crazy, just things I could do in my spare time. I found some freelance gigs that fit my skills, and I even sold a bunch of stuff I wasn’t using anymore.

Having multiple income streams made a huge difference, and it helped me knock down my debt even faster. Every extra dollar I earned went straight toward those payments.

5. Staying Motivated and Disciplined

I’m not going to lie—staying motivated was tough sometimes. But I kept reminding myself why I was doing it. I set up little milestones along the way, and every time I paid off a chunk of debt, I’d celebrate in a small way (like with a movie night at home or a new book). It was a way to reward myself without blowing my budget.

I also found accountability in online communities and with a close friend who was also working on paying off debt. We’d check in with each other, share our progress, and keep each other on track. Surrounding myself with like-minded people really kept me going.

Paying off $20,000 in debt in six months was no joke. It required sacrifice, discipline, and a lot of hard work, but looking back, it was totally worth it. The freedom I feel now is priceless. If you’re starting your debt payoff journey, just know that you’ve got this!

Stick to your plan, stay focused, and don’t be afraid to celebrate the small wins along the way. You’ll be debt-free before you know it.