🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Look Into Forgiveness Programs
If you’ve got student loans, you don’t have to carry them forever.
Many people miss out on forgiveness programs that could save them years of payments.
Here’s what you should check right away:
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Perfect if you work in education, government, or non-profits.
Income-Driven Repayment Forgiveness. After 20–25 years, your balance can be forgiven based on income.
State or employer programs. Some states and companies pay off part of your debt. worth a Google search!
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Visit the Federal Student Aid website and check if you qualify for PSLF or income-based forgiveness.
2. Cut Unnecessary Expenses to Free Cash
Every dollar you save is a dollar that can go toward freedom.
You might be surprised how much extra money you have hiding in your daily habits.
Here’s where you can find it:
Trim subscriptions. Cut streaming or memberships you don’t use.
Cancel impulse deliveries. Skip that “subscribe & save” box for a while.
Downgrade services. Cheaper phone, internet, or insurance = instant relief.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Go through your last bank statement and cancel at least two recurring charges you don’t need.
Make It Easy: Use Rocket Money to cancel unused subscriptions automatically and lower bills for you.
3. Pay Extra When You Can
Even small extra payments chip away at interest faster than you think.
It’s like sneaking in secret wins against your balance every month.
Here’s how to do it smartly:
Round up payments. Pay $210 instead of $200. It adds up fast.
Use side-hustle income. Funnel freelance or gig money straight to debt.
Apply bonuses or tax refunds. Treat those windfalls as fast-forward buttons.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Add an extra $10–$50 to each payment whenever you can and mark it as “principal only.”
4. Celebrate Every Payment Milestone
Paying off debt isn’t fun. So you’ve got to make it feel like it is.
Rewarding yourself keeps your motivation alive through the grind.
Just make sure your celebrations don’t undo your progress.
Set mini goals. Celebrate every $1,000 milestone.
Keep rewards simple. Think of a cozy dinner at home or a beach day, not a shopping spree.
Track wins visually. Progress charts make the journey feel real.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Each time you hit a milestone, do one small, inexpensive thing to celebrate and reset.
5. Turn On Auto-Pay to Stay on Track
When life gets busy, forgetting a payment is the easiest way to lose money.
Auto-pay keeps you consistent and avoids those “oops” late fees.
Plus, some lenders even reward you with lower interest rates for using it.
Never miss due dates. Peace of mind, every month.
Boost your credit. Consistent payments improve your score over time.
Save time. One less thing to remember every payday.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Log into your loan account and enable auto-pay from your checking account today.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
