From Debt to Independence: My Journey to Financial Freedom in 2025

Debt can feel like carrying a fridge on your back—bulky, awkward, and impossible to ignore. As a recent graduate, I quickly realized that the fridge wasn’t full of delicious food; it was stuffed with debt from online money lenders. Between the rising interest rates and living at home, I knew I needed a plan to reclaim my financial freedom. This is the story of my journey, including the stumbles, side hustles, and rebranding attempts (yes, even this blog started as something else) that led to a clearer path forward.

Acknowledging the Debt

First, I had to face my debt head-on, which felt a lot like looking under the bed and finding all the dust bunnies I’d been ignoring. Debt doesn’t announce itself dramatically; it’s sneaky. A small loan here for “emergencies,” an impulsive buy there because “I’ll pay it off next month,” and suddenly, the numbers piled up like laundry on a chair. On top of that, I didn't have a stable income to even clear at the smaller debts at the time.

Here’s how I ripped off the band aid:

1. Listing it all out: I grabbed a notebook and jotted down every debt, including the amounts, interest rates, and repayment deadlines. That notebook stared back at me like a stern parent.
2. Seeing the damage: Calculating how much I was bleeding in interest and late fees was my wake-up slap. The realization? Procrastination was my worst enemy.
3. Finding an Accountability partner: I had to find someone who would keep in line incase I felt tempted to borrow again. Sharing my plan with my accountability partner who is financially savvy and can give great advise or tips on my financial freedom plan makes clearing the debt feel possible.

The Struggle to Craft a Plan

Designing a repayment plan wasn’t glamorous, but it felt necessary—like swapping heels for sneakers on a long walk. I settled on the Debt Snowball Method. Tackling the smallest debts first felt like clearing clutter from my brain—every small victory boosted my motivation. I had to do research on different debt repayment methods and you can too, to find the most suitable method for you. 

But let’s be real, sticking to monthly payments meant sacrificing things I loved. Goodbye, random online shopping sprees( I go downtown by the way, the prices are so affordable you may forget you just came to buy leggings). Farewell, Chicken Shawarmas from Middle East Restaurant . Hello, DIY chicken wrapped in chapati that tasted… fine.

Each month, I am tracking my progress in a spreadsheet, and every decreasing digit felt like high-fiving myself.

Trying to Hustle My Way Out

Here’s the plot twist: I tried almost every side hustle in the book. Some worked, some flopped spectacularly:

• Dropshipping: Let’s just say that importing aesthetic fashion accessories doesn’t pay off when your shipping fees cost more than the product.
• Selling Candy on Campus: I even started selling lollipops, mints and gum at school to make a little extra cash but I ended acquiring more loans to keep it afloat.
• Selling Gift hampers: This is a side hustle I am still pushing but haven't made a lot to start using it to pay off my loans
• Blogging: Oh, how this blog has evolved! It started under a different name (which I won’t mention because cringe). It took me a while to find my voice, but here we are: witty, fun, and (hopefully) inspiring.

Finally, some efforts started paying off. The possibility of writing sponsored posts, getting paid off affiliate links, and creating e-books started to make me think, “Maybe I can do this.”

Setting Financial Goals

Paying off debt was only one part of the equation. I also wanted to build savings, like a squirrel hoarding acorns for winter. My goals:

• Emergency Fund: Three months of essential expenses—the ultimate financial safety net.
• Moving Out Fund: I budgeted for rent, a deposit, utilities, and basic furniture. Did you know there’s a thriving market for pre-loved couches?
• Investment Fund: Small investments in SACCOs and treasury bonds sounded adult-y and promising, so I’m dipping my toes in.

Creating Multiple Streams of Income

Gone are the days of relying on one income stream. I started exploring everything from freelance work to selling digital products. Here’s what’s working:

• Freelance Writing: Turns out, words are my currency! Writing blog posts and managing social media for clients added a steady income stream.
• Side Hustles 2.0: After the dropshipping debacle, I’ve doubled down on affiliate marketing and have been grinding on it ever since through my blog
• Digital Products: E-books and printables are surprisingly lucrative. Who knew designing self- love journals could bring in cash?

Moving Out: The Big Goal

Living at home has perks (hello, free meals), but independence is calling my name. Here’s how I’m making it happen:

1. Budgeting for the move: I calculated everything from rent to internet installation. Knowing the exact numbers keeps me grounded.
2. Researching affordable housing: Late-night apartment hunting online has become my favorite hobby.
3. Minimizing start-up costs: Thrift stores are my best friends, and I will be shamelessly asking relatives for furniture they no longer need.

Reflecting on the Journey

This year has been about turning challenges into opportunities. Every small win, every paid-off debt, every saved coin—it all adds up. The path to financial freedom isn’t linear (or easy), but it’s worth every stumble.

If you’re in a similar spot, my advice is simple: start messy, stay persistent, and celebrate even the tiniest victories. Let’s make 2025 the year we crush our goals.

Share Your Journey

Have you tackled debt or worked towards financial independence? Share your story in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to keep going—one frugal, fabulous step at a time.