Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs To mark Debt Awareness Week (March 24 to 30) Mirror journalist Jackie Annett shares how she dug herself out of thousands of pounds of debt despite being a single mum with just one income to rely on13:40, 22 Mar 2025Updated 13:23, 28 Mar 2025Mirror journalist Jackie Annett was drowning in £16,000 worth of debtAs Debt Awareness Week 2025 rolls around I’d like to give some hope to the millions of people in the UK who are in debt by sharing how I was once one of them but managed to become debt free.Rewind 17 years ago and I was drowning in £16,000 worth of debt with no idea how I was going to pay it off. But within two years I had paid it all back – this is how I did it.Most people in debt – including myself- are often surprised to discover there is no magical solution to paying off debt. That said, however, there are tips and tricks which will help you save money and pay off your debt much quicker.READ MORE: ‘I used this 29p cleaning hack to clean my whole house’First things first, you need to face the debt head-on and work out how much you owe to various lenders. Once this first step is completed, many experts recommend drawing up a budget. This could be an old-fashioned spreadsheet or a free budgeting app – there are loads to choose from, including Plum, Snoop and Emma.Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis says this step is essential: “Once you know where you’re spending, you can start to alter and prioritise what you do with your money to enable you to stick within your means.”But, rather than just accepting the debt, people should also speak to their lenders to see if there is any leeway, as they could end up knocking thousands off their final bill.Then focus on clearing the debt that costs the most. Martin agrees: “Put all your spare cash towards getting rid of that highest interest rate and pay minimum payments on the others. Don’t pay off the big one, pay off the highest interest one.”Jackie Annett and daughter Daisy on a trip to Croatia10 steps to becoming debt-free:Work out the debt, start a budget, and draw up a plan. Be realistic about how much you can pay back.Phone your creditors. They might agree to lower the interest rate or consolidate more than one debt into one lower payment.Pay off the loans with the highest APR first. Some people recommend starting with smaller debts, but the first option will save you more in the long run.Think of ways you can earn more money – look at ways to increase income. This could be a second job or renting out unused assets like a room, unused space or driveway.In addition to coming up with a consolidation plan to pay off debt, people should consider transferring debt onto credit cards with zero per cent interest.Do a direct debit detox – millions of Brits never use their digital TV subscription or use it less than once a month. Now is the time to be strict.Declutter and sell—people can make extra cash to pay off their debt by selling unwanted Christmas presents and other household items.Turn clearing debt into an obsession – with the right mindset paying off debt can be fun.Spend less. Try cutting down on takeaways, going out or buying new clothes. Some experts recommend taking on the challenge of a ‘no spend year’, which means you can only buy the essentials.Always ask for help: There’s lots of help out there, whether it’s speaking to professionals at Citizens Advice or joining a forum for inspiration and accountability.READ MORE: Lidl shoppers say ‘stop it’ as supermarket releases ‘loaded’ 89p Easter treat
