🏔️Monthly Debt Climb Recap – August 2025

📊 Current Debt Overview + Progress Table

Here’s where I stand on my journey to zero debt as of August 1, 2025. Below is a side-by-side comparison with last month, showing exactly how much progress I made.

I reduced my total debt by $2,473.46! which puts me at a pretty low 0.018% progress for the month. I think I’ve realized that this will be slow going while I have credit cards. Interest is a killer. I’m due a small commission from my job and that will be going to pay off the SoFi Credit Card in the month of July. Can’t wait for that impact to be felt!

🗓 What Happened This Month

The Good

I haven’t been on this debt free journey for long but man has it been way more impactful in a shorter time than I would’ve guessed. Have you seen those social media videos about people recording how long it takes to actually do something that they’ve been procrastinating because they think it’ll take forever to do only to find out it took a tenth OR LESS time to actually get it done?? I understand those videos now.

Focusing on paying down debt has given me a tangible goal with measurable deadlines. I find it easier for me to choose to pay down debt with any extra money I have because that new widget or whatever I thought I needed I didn’t really want when it came to putting my money where my mouth was. I’ve calculated that it will take me just shy of 3 years to pay off all of my debt but this is making me think, “could it happen sooner?”

Time will tell…

The Bad

This may sound weird but stay with me for a moment. I’ve decided recently to make serious focused effort on paying down my debt and getting to a debt free lifestyle. I’ve been focused and on track the entire last three months. Any extra money I had would go towards my debt. In July 2025, that changed. Instead of every money I had going towards paying off debt, I saved most of it to pay for a vacation with my girlfriend and her dad.

I’m glad that I saved the money and we had a really great time but for some reason I felt bad about not using that money for debt. It’s crazy to me that the thing I was feeling bad about the most before was using credit cards. Now I’m enjoying life and I still feel bad. I underestimated how much mental strength I would need to gain during this journey and I’m glad I’m learning this earlier in the journey rather than later. I think I’ll still be working on breaking free from the bad financial mental models that I’ve learned in my life long after the debt goes to zero.

The Best Lesson Learned

You’ll be amazed at how much easier it gets the more consistent you are with paying off debt. When I first started this journey is used to dread how difficult it would be to actually start chipping away at the debt. Now that I’ve gotten used to putting money that I’m comfortable with towards debt its made it easier. My mind has shifted from “what if I need this money that is going towards my debt” or “what if I don’t have enough money for other things that come up?” Valid thoughts but building momentum has allowed me to solidify my priorities of debt freedom and makes those other questions/problems easier to answer/solve.

💡 Tip of the Month

Find someone that you really trust to help you be accountable for your journey. Whether it’s saving for a large purchase, paying off debt, a vacation, or a new toy you want, letting others know what you’re working towards allows someone to help you when you feel like the discipline is weakening. Make sure it’s someone you trust though!