How I Paid Off My Debt in 1 Year — My Survival Story from Broke to Debt-Free in the UK

I still remember the cold sting of that February morning.

The kettle had just finished boiling, but I couldn’t even afford the electricity to run it. After logging into my bank app, I stared blankly at £3.27. Five days later, rent was due. My phone buzzed—another reminder from the credit card company. My hands shook and my chest tightened. That was my breaking point. I was officially broke in the UK, drowning in £9,400 of debt, and one more missed payment away from default.

With a part-time administrative job, I made just under £1,300 per month after taxes and lived alone in a small East London apartment. The rising UK cost of living felt like quicksand—food, bills, travel, all pulling me under.

But that panic? That moment of fear? It saved my life.

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Month 1: Facing the Numbers

I stopped pretending.

I wrote down every single debt:

Credit Card 1: £3,200

Credit Card 2: £1,800

$1,100 in overdraft $3,300 payday loan Then I created a zero-based budget. Every penny had a job. I cut everything non-essential—Netflix, gym, takeaways, nights out. I ended three subscriptions that I had forgotten I had. I started meal prepping rice, beans, and frozen veg—£1.50 a day food budget. To save money on transportation, I walked 40 minutes to work. Despite the fact that it was freezing outside, I dressed warmly by layering. It wasn’t just about numbers—it was survival.

Weeks 5–12: Hustling & Healing

I picked up freelance transcription gigs on evenings and weekends—roughly £80–£100 extra per week. Not much, but life-saving.

I used the debt snowball method: smallest to largest. I attacked the £1,100 overdraft first. Paid it off in 6 weeks.

The most difficult part? The mental toll. I felt ashamed, alone, and worn out. I kept a journal each night. I joined Reddit forums like r/UKPersonalFinance and saw I wasn’t alone.

Those posts shone in the gloom. I learned real budgeting tips like using cashback apps (Shoppix, Airtime Rewards), switching to a basic SIM (£6/month), and buying yellow-sticker food at closing time.

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Momentum and Minimalism in Months 4–6 I sold nearly everything: old clothes on Vinted, my TV on Facebook Marketplace, even my guitar. I had to go minimal, but I found freedom in it. I started batch cooking on Sundays. I used one bottle of shampoo for 3 months. Every win counted. I tracked my “debt destroyed” on a post-it note wall.

I hit my £3,300 payday loan in June—my Everest. The interest was brutal, but I called and negotiated a reduced payment plan. Within three months, I paid it off. ---

Months 7-10: New Activities and Habits By this time, my side hustles were bringing in £400/month. I started proofreading for students online. For improved tracking, I changed my bank to Monzo. I stopped chasing lifestyle and started chasing freedom. I built a 3-month emergency fund (£600). I budgeted for joy—£10 a week guilt-free fun. Even if it was just a coffee and a walk, it felt rich.

I only responded with a yes. That was powerful.

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11–12: Different and debt-free December came, and I made my final payment. Zero debt. Zero shame. No limitations. I cried. pride, not just tears of relief. I didn’t win the lottery. I did not receive a significant raise. Recently, I made radical changes to my spending, routines, and mentality. ---

Real Talk for the Poor in the UK: What I Learned Track every pound. Money will control you if you don't control it. I was saved by side hustles like selling things, transcription, and gig apps. Cook at home. It’s the cheapest and healthiest survival move.

Negotiate your bills—utilities, debt, subscriptions. They all add up.

Mental health matters. Journal, talk, walk. Shame cannot thrive in the light. ---

If you’re drowning in debt, please believe this: you are not lazy, you are not alone, and you are not stuck forever.

The UK cost of living is brutal right now, especially on a low income, but every pound you save, every meal you cook, every walk instead of a bus ride—it counts. It builds.

You are not required to be flawless. You only need to start. And when you look back in a year, debt-free and powerful, you might whisper to your former self: “We made it.

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