Ellen's Finance Tips
How I Dug Out of $42K of Debt by Breaking the “Standard” Rules
The three unconventional guardrails that helped me climb out of debt and reinvest in my future family goals.
By Ellen Falbo 
Most scripts tell you to cut lattes and wait a decade. I’m allergic to scripts. Twenty-four months ago I sat on $42K of high-interest debt and a stomach-knotting sense that my financial career hadn’t protected my own household. Here’s the playbook I used to reset.
1. Sprint Paydowns, Not Endless Budgets
I grouped obligations into “sprint stacks” that I could eliminate within six weeks. Each stack got a celebratory name (“Bye, Store Cards”). Weekly wins wired momentum, which matters more than theoretical amortization charts.
Sprint recipe:
- Autopay minimums across every balance so nothing defaulted
- Reroute all gig income + quarterly bonus into the active sprint
- Check progress every Friday inside a single spreadsheet tab
2. Cash-First Emergencies
The average household emergency is $1,200. I opened a no-frills high-yield savings account nicknamed “Calm Fund” and automated $150 every payday. Watching that balance cross $2,000 rewired my stress response and kept me from sliding back to credit cards when the car battery died.
3. Write the Comeback Narrative
My marketing background reminds me: stories sell products and personal conviction. I wrote a one-page “money memoir” capturing who I was building for (my daughter, future sabbatical, community lending circle). It sat on my nightstand and nudged every spending decision.
Where I Landed
- Debt-free in 14 months
- Reinvested $1,100/month into a Solo 401(k)
- Launched this site as an accountability engine
If debt currently feels like fog, start with one sprint stack and name it something hopeful. Email me which name you choose—I’ll send back a cheer note.