Paid it off themselvesSeveral debts$50,000
How a Chicago Single Mom Paid Off $50K in Debt With No-Spend Weekends
A Chicago single mom tried no-spend weekends, moved somewhere cheaper, cooked from what was already in the cupboard and paid down a high-interest car loan. Her freelance writing side job grew into a full-time one.
Video by ABC13 HoustonPublished January 22, 2020Breakdown updated September 15, 2026
“How single mom knocked out $50K in debt” by ABC13 Houston. We didn't make this video; it loads from YouTube when you press play.
Where they started
In 2015 a single mom in Chicago realized she couldn't even afford to do laundry. Overspending over the years had left her about $50,000 in debt, and she wanted a better life for herself and her son.
What they did
- 1
She started no-spend weeks and weekends, with no money spent on eating out or entertainment.
- 2
She cooked from what was already in the cabinets, looking up recipes to match what she had.
- 3
She moved to more affordable housing.
- 4
She started freelance writing on the side, which later grew into a full-time job.
- 5
She paid off a high-interest car loan and kept going until the $50,000 was gone.
What you can learn from it
Set short no-spend stretches
Her family set no-spend weeks or weekends with nothing spent on dining out or entertainment. A defined window gives clear rules that are easier to keep than open-ended cutbacks.
Cook through the pantry first
She planned meals around ingredients already at home instead of buying more, turning food she'd already paid for into meals.
Lower fixed costs pay off every month
Moving to cheaper housing cut a bill she paid every month, so the savings came back again and again instead of just once.
Start with a written budget
Seeing where money goes is the first step behind changes like hers. The FTC suggests using bills and pay stubs to build a budget that shows where money goes and how it could be spent differently.
Before you copy this path
Moving somewhere cheaper and finding freelance work won't be possible for every household. Her timeline reflects her own income, debts and family situation.
Watch out: It needs a steady monthly budget, and nobody negotiates for you.
Build your own payoff planCommon questions
How do I make a budget to pay off debt?
The FTC suggests gathering bills and pay stubs and using a budget worksheet to see where money goes and how it could be spent differently.
Source: consumer.ftc.govWhat should I do if I'm already behind on bills?
The FTC says people who are behind on bills should call the creditors they owe right away, before a debt collector gets involved.
Source: consumer.ftc.govShould I pay off the smallest debt or the highest-interest debt first?
The CFPB says the snowball method pays the smallest debt first for quicker progress, while the highest-interest method targets the costliest debt first and saves money over the long term.
Source: consumerfinance.govSources
By DebtCheckUSAEditorial Team. This is our summary of a video we didn't make, and nobody paid us to include it. It's one person's experience, not financial, tax or legal advice. Advertiser disclosure
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