Spoiler alert: it didn’t involve winning the lottery, marrying rich, or giving up iced coffee. What it did involve? Education, consistency, and tuning into creators and tools that made money feel less scary and more doable.

“How the hell do people get ahead these days?”

Yeah, I’ve thought that, too. Our journey to becoming debt-free was not some magic overnight thing (I wish!). It was a whole process of unlearning, relearning, budgeting, side-eyeing capitalism, and staying accountable to ourselves and each other. Here’s how we got through it, as well as the resources that helped along the way.

Financial Literacy Wasn’t Taught, So I Self-Taught

Let’s just say high school didn’t teach me how to file taxes or create a debt snowball. Instead, we got mitochondria = powerhouse of the cell.

So, like many of us do, I turned to the internet, but not just anywhere. I wanted practical advice from people who just get it. These were the MVPs in my financial education lineup:

📺 Podcasts and YouTube Channels That Shifted My Money Mindset

• The Financial Diet
  This channel got me to finally understand why my spending habits looked the way they did. It’s a mix of budgeting, career, lifestyle, and financial self-awareness. It was just real and relatable.
• Your Rich BFF
  Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, is my go-to for no-nonsense financial advice that actually makes sense for millennials and Gen Z. Her podcast is a must-listen. It has practical money tips and the kind of straight talk that makes you rethink your entire financial plan.
• Feasible Creative
  Their videos dig into both personal finance and the creator economy, which is especially helpful if you’ve ever dabbled in freelancing, side hustles, or online income. It feels niche, but in the best way.

Budgeting Tools That Didn’t Make Me Cry

While social media gave me the why, I needed actual how-to tools that broke things down. That’s where NerdWallet stepped in.

🔧 NerdWallet Tools I Actually Use:

• Budget Calculator: This gave us a clear picture of where our money was actually going versus where we thought it was going.
• Debt Snowball Guide: We used this method to pay off our smallest debts first, which gave us those quick wins and kept us motivated (instant gratification, yay!). Think of it as a mini financial dopamine hit every time we knocked one out.

Creators Who Keep Me Inspired

Now, let’s talk Instagram. I’m super intentional about curating my feed with people whose art I appreciate and people who are able to teach me something.

• @clobaremoneycoach: One of my favorite follows, she breaks down financial concepts in ways that feel possible and personalized, especially when it comes to boundaries around money and financial healing.

Depending on what I’m learning, I will explore content from different creators. Whether it’s budgeting, investing basics, or mindset work. If you are gonna be on social media all day rotting your brain, you might as well rot it with content that helps you build wealth instead of just fueling your existential crisis(es).

I truly believe financial wellness is a continuous learning journey, not a one-and-done course.

A Quick Nod to Dave Ramsey

Look, I won’t lie, Dave Ramsey was part of the journey. His snowball method? Super effective. His views on credit cards and generational spending habits? I have feelings.

But here’s the thing, you can take what works, reflect on it, and adapt it to your lifestyle NOW. Not everything from the boomer era applies, but some core principles do. I DO NOT agree with all his takes, but I do respect the foundational theory behind his advice.

Don’t Sue Me, Please

Real talk, I AM NOT a financial advisor. I don’t have a fancy degree in finance, and I’m not gonna tell you to max out your Roth IRA right this second unless you want to. These are just my experiences, opinions, and the tools that helped my partner and I get debt-free before 35.

Everyone’s journey is different. But if something in here sparks a shift for you… GOALS!

Want more money talk, real-life wins, and lessons learned? Stick around. I’ll be sharing more of what helped, what didn’t, and what I’m still figuring out, because let’s be honest, the learning never stops.