How AI Helped One Woman Erase Half Her Debt
A woman who was struggling under the weight of $23,000 in credit card debt has made incredible progress toward financial freedom, all thanks to a creative partnership with AI.
From Surviving to Spiraling into Debt
Jennifer Allan, a 35-year-old realtor and content creator from Delaware, admits she has "struggled with money my whole adult life." She explained that a lack of financial literacy education was the root cause. "I avoided budgeting and I figured if I just kept working harder, I could out-earn the problem. That worked... until it didn't," she shared.
The situation took a downturn after the birth of her daughter, which involved a traumatic start in the NICU and a difficult postpartum recovery. "I shut down emotionally, and I used credit cards to keep our life afloat," Allan recalled. "We weren't living lavishly. We were just surviving. But the debt piled up while I wasn't looking."
A Turning Point: The 30-Day AI Challenge
Realizing she needed a new approach, Allan drew inspiration from online trends and decided to challenge herself. She committed to using ChatGPT every day for 30 days to help her get out of debt, seeking structure and ideas for side hustles. This decision provided the momentum she desperately needed.
Each day, the AI bot gave her a simple challenge to either save or earn money. These tasks ranged from the practical, like canceling a subscription and selling items on Facebook Marketplace, to the surprisingly effective, like searching for loose change in old purses and couch cushions, a task that netted her over $100.
Uncovering Hidden Cash and Big Wins
The most significant breakthrough came when the AI prompted Allan to meticulously check every app and account she owned. This digital treasure hunt led her to discover over $10,000 in a brokerage account she had forgotten about and in various finance apps like Venmo.
In a TikTok video celebrating the end of her 30-day challenge, Allan announced she had paid off an astonishing $12,078.93. "I'm super, super happy with that. I've essentially paid half of my debt off," she said. Another part of her challenge was creating a meal plan using only food already in her pantry, which saved her nearly $600 on groceries for the month.
More Than Halfway There: A Newfound Empowerment
"It wasn't some big financial hack," Allan reflected. "It was the act of facing it every day—of tracking it, talking about it, looking at it every day. I stopped being afraid of my numbers." By building a debt tracker and sharing her journey publicly, she transformed her shame into a sense of empowerment.
Her story resonated with many on TikTok, with users calling her progress "so impressive" and life-changing. Now, Allan is preparing for a new 30-day challenge, aiming to pay off the remaining balance.
Advice for Others Facing Debt
With household debt in the United States reaching trillions, Allan's situation is relatable for many. Her advice is to start immediately. "Don't wait until you feel ready or 'smart enough' to start. You don't have to know all the answers—you just have to stop pretending it's not happening."
She also recommends finding a way to "make it fun." For her, using AI offered structure without judgment, and the TikTok community provided daily accountability. This unique combination helped her feel like she could conquer anything.
