Ever get that sinking feeling when a bill lands in your inbox? Or the twinge of regret after tapping your card for something you didn’t really need? If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I should be better with money by now,” you’re not alone.
Debt weighs on your bank account, and it can sit heavy on your shoulders, too. Guilt, embarrassment, and even shame are common emotional side effects. But here’s the thing: those feelings might be stopping you from taking real action.
To shift out of that guilt loop we don’t need to be perfect with money. What works is finding step by step actions that help you to be in control.
1. Guilt is normal, just not helpful
Debt guilt often shows up as avoidance. You might dodge checking your balance, delay paying bills, or feel stuck in a cycle of spending to cope. The problem isn’t laziness, it’s overwhelm. When we feel ashamed, our brains go into freeze mode.
But guilt doesn’t make debt disappear. In fact, it can keep us stuck. The truth is that having debt doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’ve got something to work on. Start by saying to yourself: “This is just a number. I can work through this.” Because you can.
2. Clarity beats shame every time
One of the most powerful things you can do is write everything down. Every debt. Big or small. From the electricity bill in arrears to the credit card or buy-now-pay-later account that’s been nagging at you.
Put them in order from smallest to largest, who it’s with, how much, and the minimum repayment amount. And here’s the key, do it without labelling any of it “bad.”
This isn’t about beating yourself up. It’s about shining a light on what’s really there so you can take the next step with confidence.
3. Start small and stay consistent
Once you’ve got your list, it’s time for action. Pay the minimum on all your debts but throw every extra dollar you can at the smallest one. This is often called the “debt snowball” method, and it works because it builds energy and momentum fast.
When that first debt disappears, it feels like a win, because it is a win. Then you take all the money you were putting toward that debt and roll it onto the next smallest, and so on.
This snowball effect creates progress you can see, and that’s powerful. Progress builds confidence. Confidence fuels better decisions.
You don’t have to be debt-free to feel financially confident. You just need a plan that works for you today, one that turns guilt into clarity, and hesitation into progress.
Start by making the list. One debt at a time. One payment at a time. That’s how you build a new story, where you’re the one in charge.
It’s ok to start small. Be the Boss of your Money and take that first step today.
