Let’s get real for a second…
When you’re drowning in debt, people love to throw out two main strategies:
❄️The Snowball Method (paying off the smallest balances first)
🏔️The Avalanche Method (paying off the highest interest first)
Both work. But here’s the truth:
I’m not doing either.
I’ve created my own weird little system — and it helps me stay mentally and emotionally invested in my payoff journey.
How My System Works
Every month, I make the minimum payments across the board.
Then, as I find extra money (from side hustles, cutting expenses, etc.), I toss it at different debts based on two things:
1. The Psychological Wins
If a balance ends in a weird number like $9,267, I’ll pay an extra $68 just to bring it down to $9,199. Even if it’s not a huge change, getting out of the current hundred or thousand range makes it look better — and honestly, it gives me a little extra motivation to keep pushing forward. 💪✨
2. The Emotional Weight
Some debts came from hard moments — especially my recent gambling relapse that added $6,000 to my total.
That money haunts me.
So when I pay those balances down, it feels like I’m slowly erasing the shame. I want those specific amounts gone — not just because they’re debt, but because they represent pain, addiction, and setbacks I want to heal from.
It’s Not “Smart,” But It’s Working (For Me)
No finance book would recommend this strategy. But here’s the thing:
Personal finance is emotional.
And when you’re trying to dig yourself out of debt that carries guilt, regret, or even addiction… sometimes you need a method that helps your soul more than your spreadsheet.
Let’s Normalize Different Paths
If you’re not following a textbook strategy, you’re not failing.
If you’re choosing to pay off the debt that keeps you up at night — before the one with the highest interest rate — you’re still moving forward.
There is no perfect way. There’s only your way.
Share Your Story
Have you ever chosen a weird, emotional, or personal way to tackle debt?
Drop a comment, message me privately, or share what’s helped you make progress in a way that actually works for you.
We’re all figuring it out — one payment at a time.
