Three years ago I could not cover an unexpected $200 expense. Here I am now

I remember the moment I knew something had to change. My car registration came due, was like $180-90 ish and I sat there doing the mental math of which bill I could delay to cover it. I had been making payments on $51,000 in student loans for two years at that point and my balance had gone up. I was paying $320 a month and interest was swallowing $290 of it. I didn't understand that when I signed the paperwork at 22 and by 26 I was just numb to opening anything from my servicer.

First thing I did that actually helped was stop avoiding the numbers. I had not logged into my portal in months because every time I did I felt sad and bad. Made myself sit down one Sunday and write out loans, every rate, every balance on paper. It wasnt nice but knowing exactly how bad felt better than the delusion I had been living in.

Switched repayment plans after that. Had been on standard without realizing I had options. Moved to IBR and my monthly payment dropped from $320 to $194 based on my income. The $126 difference was the first month in two years I didn't overdraft lol.

Some money has been saved up now for the first time in my adult life. Right around that same time I finally stopped dreading every unexpected expense and started actually dealing with them. Booked a $340 car repair last month same day I got the notification. Didn't shuffle anything around and finally didn't lose sleep over it. Still at $43,000 and the interest is still ugly but the direction's different. This sub helped me get there so wanted to put something back in.