Dear Debt, It’s Definitely You

Hey everyone! We have a great dear debt letter from Stephanie. Stephanie is a graphic designer and co-owner of Bowerbird Atelier, where she designs paper goods and signage for weddings and events in the San Francisco Bay Area. She recently launched a card line on Etsy as a side hustle, sold some clothes on Ebay, and has even been collecting cans and bottles to sell at the recycling center (gotta love that CRV!) She has $27,803.88 in debt that she swears she will pay off before she’s 30 if it kills her.

Dear Debt,

It’s not me, it’s definitely you. I know we’ve had a long run. Heck, we were in it for the long haul: ‘Till debt do us part. But I have to end this.

Granted, I know our relationship isn’t as intense as it could have been. I was pretty lucky to have most of my college tuition paid for – but even a small amount of student loan debt has been so depressing. On top of that, I am really trying to make this whole solopreneur thing work, and I honestly think I have to choose between having a successful business and you. And guess what? I will absolutely choose myself, every time.

I have to say, I do want to thank you for making some things possible for me. I would most likely have been eating dry ramen for dinner for a while there if it wasn’t for you, so it was nice to have you around for a time. But this is definitely not a healthy relationship, and I don’t think it can last much longer.

So, Debt, kindly start packing your bags and looking for a new place to live. I know it’s going to take a while for you to completely remove yourself from my life, because we have become so involved, but that’s ok: as long as there is an end in sight, I can deal with you living on my couch and eating my cereal for a little bit longer.

Good Riddance,

Stephanie

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Melanie

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances. She is passionate about empowering women, helping others get out of debt, and focuses on the intersection of debt and mental health. Every September she organizes a Suicide Prevention Awareness Blog Tour, to help share resources for those struggling with debt and suicide. In addition to her love of personal finance, art and music, she is also a karaoke master and a cat mom to Miles and Thelonious.

Latest posts by Melanie (see all)

• Talking About Money and Mental Health - September 12, 2022
• Dear Debt, We’re Better Apart - June 27, 2022
• Announcing The Mental Health and Wealth Summit - May 4, 2021