How They Paid Off $30,000 of Debt in 6 Months (Without Being "Gazelle Intense") | 556
4/22/202629 min
Curious? Take The Free Money Stress Quiz!
Ready? Buy Our Simplified Budget System Now!
We walked through a real-life case study of a totally normal family — married, two kids, busy jobs, travel sports — bringing in $16,000 a month but carrying over $300,000 in debt (not including their mortgage) with $6,300 in minimum payments alone. After a tough season of loss and emotional spending, things spiraled. She had 34 debts and felt suffocated. But in just six months of coaching — without increasing their income — she paid off 11 debts and $30,000 total, reduced minimum payments by nearly $1,000 a month, got a full paycheck ahead, and finally created breathing room in her budget. And no, she didn’t stop living her life to do it.
What made the difference? She did the work. She closed credit cards, called lenders to lower payments, refinanced a car, sold things around the house, negotiated bills, separated business and personal finances, and got intentional about side income for a season. She stopped reacting and started planning ahead with savings buckets — even setting up separate accounts for kids’ sports and annual expenses. The biggest shift wasn’t just financial, it was mental clarity. Once the system was built, it ran — and she didn’t have to track every penny anymore. Budget besties, this is what happens when you pair a clear plan with consistent action. It’s not about perfection — it’s about progress, and it’s absolutely possible for you too.
Let’s Take Our Relationship To The Next Level:
1️⃣ Facebook Group ➡︎budgetbesties.com/facebook
2️⃣ Be on the Podcast ➡︎budgetbesties.com/livecall
3️⃣ Private 1-on-1 Coaching. ➡︎budgetbesties.com/coaching
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice.
This description may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission at no cost to you if you click & purchase.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsShana· Host0:00
Here's a little bonus pro-tip. Put it on every six months or every year, call your cable company, call your phone company, call your internet company, call your insurance, and renegotiate. Threaten to leave if you have to. We're not afraid of a good time, okay? And see if you can get a lower bill or do some sort of deal to save money.
Vanessa· Host0:16
Yeah, I just did that recently with my internet company.
Shana· Host0:18
Fun times.
Vanessa· Host0:19
And I said I was leaving, and they cut me a $20 a deal month. Like, $20 less a month that I'm paying. So it does work. And re- remember when you're calling insurances, don't just call your auto insurance. Call your homeowner's insurance, and if you have health insurance, call them as well. And again, we're looking at calling brokers because they will give you the best deal when you are s- when you're researching. [upbeat music] Do you make good money but have nothing to show for it?
Shana· Host0:42
Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck?
Vanessa· Host0:44
Do you have big dreams for your financial future?
Shana· Host0:46
Do you want to get debt-free, but you don't want to live on beans and rice?
Vanessa· Host0:50
And you don't want to give up those pumpkin spice lattes?
Shana· Host0:52
If you don't already know how to budget or if you're using credit cards to get through the month.
Vanessa· Host0:56
If you want to seem like you have your finances all together or you're not on the same page with your spouse when it comes to finances.
Shana· Host1:03
We know what you're doing probably isn't working, but guess what? You're in the right place. We're Shana.
Vanessa· Host1:09
And Vanessa. We're best friends, business partners, and master financial coaches trained by Dave Ramsey. We've been in business since 2019, helping hundreds of amazing people like you create budgets, get out of debt, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and know exactly what to do with their money.
Shana· Host1:24
In this podcast, we'll share with you everything we know, plus everything we're working on with our clients so that you have the best chance