I was one of those college students that had to learn the hard way about credit card debt. One seemingly innocent credit card with a $500 limit quickly grew into three totaling $4,500, which felt impossible to pay off as a broke college student. You can read my complete story of how I got into debt here, but below are 17 things I did to become pay them all off by the time I graduated:

// I Quit Using the Cards

You would be shocked how many people say they desire to get out of debt but they keep using their credit cards. When I finally faced the music and decided to do something about my overwhelming debt, the first thing I did was cut up the cards.

// I Worked with the Credit Card Company

At the time, my minimum payments were too high with the maxed out balance and compounding interest; there was no way I could afford them. I figured I couldn’t be the only customer in my situation so I called the credit card company to work out a deal. Sure enough, they were actually really friendly to me and agreed to freeze my interest payments while allowing me to pay a monthly payments I could afford ($30 per card at the time).

// I Made a spending plan

With a simple legal pad and a pen, every month, I calculated how much money I was likely to earn and the expenses I knew I had to spend money on (rent, food, bus/train fare, credit card payments, etc.) As a college student, I worked in hourly positions which means my income would vary widely depending on how many hours I was able to work. Nevertheless, I didn’t spend a dime without first creating a spending plan, every month.

// I Shopped at Discount Grocery stores

At the time, I was living in DC where prices at regular grocery stores (Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter) are really high. Because of that, I would take the bus to Save-a-lot and ethnic grocery stores, focusing on cheap meats, produce and pantry staples.

// I made a meal plan and ate at home exclusively

Since getting to the cheap grocery stores and getting all those bags home was practically a workout (I was on the bus!), you bes’ believe I was going to put all that food I bought to use! I would plan out every meal, cook several of them ahead of time on Sundays, and take my lunch (and sometimes dinner!) in tupperware with me everyday to school or work.

// I lived in cheap housing

DC is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country so to keep my rent low, I would (1) always have roommates and (2) live in houses on the border of so-so areas. Hey, no one said getting out of debt is glamorous. (Or safe.) (Just kidding…sort of…)

// I didn’t have a car

I know car-free living is not possible for everyone, but not having a car was instrumental in my ability to pay off my debt. I think I spent maybe $150 a month on train fare and monthly bus passes, but compared to a $300+ car note, not including insurance or gas, ditching the car was the way to go for me.

// I constantly hustled for extra money

I was the side hustle QUEEN when I was paying off debt. I would do things like:

• find cheap but cute clothing at thrift stores and sell it on eBay and Etsy
• serve food at local food festivals (yep, I was the girl in the tent selling chili cheese fries)
• model for startup t-shirt companies
• consult with women looking to go natural for $30/session
• make homemade hair products and sell them
• be a personal assistant for an interior designer (That gig was $200/week!)
• sell anything I wasn’t using that wasn’t bolted down

// I Indulged in Free or Cheap Luxuries

If you don’t allow yourself a little bit of fun, you are likely to crack under the pressure and go on a spending spree later. To keep my sanity, I rented movies from the library, went to free museums, went to the park with my then-boyfriend (now husband), looked for cute clothes at the thrift store, read a ton of library books, etc.

// I quit feeding the “want” monster

During this time, I didn’t subscribe to any fashion magazines and I didn’t follow a whole lot of blogs. I tried not to focus on everything I didn’t have. Instead I put my energy towards paying down my debt and getting through school.

// I desired to learn and get better

Though having credit card debt stunk, I used it as an opportunity to learn as much as I could and get passionate about successfully managing money. I remember borrowing Dave Ramsey and Suzy Orman books from the library and I even eventually signed up for the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class at a local church.

// I Focused on Improving other Areas of my Life

Instead of obsessing over my credit card debt, I decided to improve other areas of my life, like my health. While I was getting more and more knowledgeable about personal finances, I was also starting to workout and eat healthier too.

// I wasn’t too embarrassed to ask for help

Though I really worked hard to get out of debt, I could not have done it without the support of my loved ones. I can’t count the number of times my parents floated me money when paychecks got delayed (which happened often unfortunately). Or how many weekends I went to my then-boyfriend's apartment to eat up all his food!

// I pursued big opportunities that could change my situation

Instead of having a “whoa is me” attitude, I busted my butt at career and scholarship fairs at school. The summer before my senior year, I impressed some people I met from the wonderful Thurgood Marshall College Fund who referred me for a paid internship with a pretty well-respected organization. Not only did the money I earned during that summer internship allow me to pay off what was remaining from my credit card debt, that internship turned into a job offer after graduation, which is why I have a job now.

// I believed this was only temporary

Through all the ups and downs, I knew in my heart that I would get through it. I knew my situation was a mere season in my life, and if I kept putting one foot in front of the other, I would come out on top.

// I believed this would be a part of my success story

Instead of feeling embarrassed about my situation, I would literally think to myself, “One day, I’m going to be on stage telling this story.” I sincerely believed (and still do!) that my experience would give me a platform to help others who were going through the same thing.

// I prayed

Even though I knew I messed up and my credit card debt was completely due to my own irresponsibility, I knew that God loved me and He cared about what was going on in my life. I would pray help and sure enough, God saw me through.

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Talk to me:

Do you have credit card debt? Are you just looking to get better with your money? What things are you doing to succeed?

(Photo via Google Images)