Crush debt. That’s what I’m trying to do, sprawled out on the floor of my tiny Bangalore apartment, the fan creaking above me and the smell of street-side pakoras sneaking through the window. I’m an American, totally out of my depth in India, and debt’s been chasing me like a stray dog I accidentally fed. I’m talking credit cards, a dumb loan for a coffee maker I thought would “fix” my mornings, and student loans from a degree I barely use. I’ve messed up—bad—and I’m not some finance bro, but I’m figuring out how to crush debt in 2025, and it’s messy but kinda working.
Why I’m Desperate to Crush Debt in 2025
Okay, so picture me in this cramped café in Indiranagar, right? I’m sipping chai, pretending I’m chill, when my phone pings—overdraft. Again. My stomach drops, my hands get all clammy, and the guy next to me is blabbing about Bitcoin. I’m like, “How did I let debt get this bad?” I was dodging creditor calls, hiding bills under my laptop like a kid hiding veggies. It wasn’t just the money; it was the shame, heavy as the monsoon rain. I had to crush debt because I was sick of feeling like a loser.
- Biggest screw-up? Pretending debt didn’t exist. I’d stuff bills in a drawer and hope they’d vanish.
- What changed? When I couldn’t afford a ₹50 auto ride home because I spent my last cash on rice.
I started googling debt tips—Dave Ramsey’s debt snowball saved my butt with some real talk—and decided to stop running.
My Kinda Messy Plan to Crush Debt in 2025
I’m no expert, okay? I’m just a guy fumbling through, but I’ve got a plan to crush debt that’s starting to work. It’s not perfect—I’ve screwed it up plenty—but it’s real. Here’s the deal.
Step 1: Own the Chaos—List Your Debts Free Success Stories
First, I forced myself to write down every debt. Credit cards, that coffee maker loan (ugh, why?), student loans from my art history days. I did it on my balcony, the Bangalore traffic screaming below, my pen shaking. Total? ₹14 lakh (like, $17,000). I misspelled “interest” twice and almost cried, but seeing it all laid out was like ripping off a Band-Aid. Gotta start somewhere to crush debt.
- Get a notebook or app. Write every debt, interest rate, minimum payment.
- Don’t lie to yourself. I forgot a ₹5,000 medical bill—don’t do that.
Step 2: Budget Like You’re Not Kidding
Budgeting’s a pain, but it’s like telling your money, “Yo, behave.” I tried YNAB—it’s dope—and tracked every rupee. My first budget was trash; I forgot to include my daily chai. Now? I’m at 50% for rent and food, 30% for debt, 20% for surviving. I cut out autos and started walking, hence my sneakers looking like they’ve been through a war.
- Start basic: Rent, groceries, debt, then maybe some fun (ha, good luck).
- Be honest. I thought I could skip chai. Spoiler: I can’t.
Step 3: Snowball or Avalanche? Pick Your Debt-Crushing Style
I started with the debt snowball—paying smallest debts first for the vibes. Knocking out a ₹15,000 card felt like winning the lottery. Then I switched to avalanche (highest interest first) because my student loan’s 8.5% rate was killing me. I messed up, though—kept switching methods when I got impatient. Find what sticks for you to crush debt.
- Snowball: Pay minimums, throw extra at the smallest debt.
- Avalanche: Same, but hit the highest interest rate.
- NerdWallet breaks it down better than I can.
Step 4: Hustle Like Crazy Debt-Free Success Stories
India’s taught me to hustle. I started freelancing—writing for tech startups here in Bangalore. It’s not sexy, but it pays. I also sold some old shirts at a flea market, which was weirdly fun. Every extra rupee goes to crushing debt. Last week, I made ₹8,000 from a gig and paid off part of a card. Felt like a boss.
- Try freelancing or selling stuff. Upwork is legit for gigs.
- Small wins add up. Even ₹500 helps.
My Dumb Mistakes While Crushing Debt
Oh, I’ve flopped hard. Like, I bought a ₹1,500 shirt to “celebrate” paying off a small debt—dumb move. Set me back two weeks. Another time, I ignored a bill because I was “too busy” (aka scared). Late fees slapped me silly. Crushing debt isn’t a straight line; it’s a scribble. But I’m still going.
- Don’t splurge to “reward” yourself. Trust me, it stings.
- Set up auto-payments for minimums. I forgot once—ouch.
- Talk to someone. I spilled my guts over idlis with a friend, and it helped.
Wrapping Up—Keep Crushing Debt, Mess and All
I’m not out of the woods yet. I’ve paid off ₹2.5 lakh, but I’ve got a ways to go. The Bangalore rains still soak my floor, but I’m not freaking out as much. My plan for 2025? Stick to the budget, hustle harder, and maybe treat myself to a masala dosa when I hit ₹7 lakh paid. Maybe.
