April has already been one of the hardest months on my debt-free journey so far. Which is funny to think about, since I literally just started this journey!

When I started officially tracking mid-month, my total debt balance was $154,836.01. By the end of April, my balance had grown to $159,875.16.
That’s an increase of over $5,000 — a gut punch I wasn’t expecting or prepared for.

The biggest contributor to this setback? A relapse with gambling late in the month, leading to extra incurred debt I’m now responsible for paying back.
It’s incredibly painful to look at the numbers and realize that even though I made $4,848.42 in total payments across my debts in April, my balance still rose because of my relapse moment.

I won’t sugarcoat it — this hurts.
It’s embarrassing. It’s shameful. And it’s a wake-up call.

But what I know for sure is that shame won’t pay off my debt. Action will. 🛠️

May 2025: A Fresh Start 🌱

To take back control, I’m committing to a No Spend May challenge.
That means:
✅ Spending ONLY on true necessities (rent, utilities, groceries, dog expenses).
✅ No online shopping.
✅ No eating out.
✅ No delivery orders.
✅ No gambling.

I’ll be breaking down my No Spend May goals and rules in a separate post to hold myself accountable.

April was a brutal reminder that healing and financial recovery aren’t always a straight line. But I’m still here. I’m still fighting. And I’m choosing to move forward.

One day, one payment, one better decision at a time. 💛