Here's How One Woman Used ChatGPT Advice to Cut Her $23K Credit Card Debt by 50% — And How You Can Too

A groundbreaking approach to financial recovery is giving hope to households grappling with rising credit card debt. Thanks to advanced technology, what once felt like insurmountable debt can now be tackled with structured, practical steps, offering a real lifeline for families worldwide.

From Mounting Debt to Financial Control

Jenn Allan, who works in Delaware's property sector, found herself overwhelmed by mounting credit card balances. After a traumatic birth in 2023 left her daughter in the NICU, Allan suffered severe postpartum depression and was forced to stop working. As her income dried up, her credit card debt soared to $23,000 (£17,114.50), as reported by The Daily Mail.

Desperate for a solution, Allan turned to ChatGPT for help. 'I already use ChatGPT every day for business, marketing, admin, literally everything,' she explained. 'So when I decided to face my debt, it made sense to include ChatGPT in the conversation too.'

A Debt-Free Journey Goes Viral

Allan began chronicling her journey on TikTok (@_jenn.allan) in October 2024, but her debt only began to shrink rapidly once she incorporated ChatGPT's advice. Unsure where to start, she messaged the chatbot, 'I am in credit card debt. I don't know how much, but I need to do something about it and I don't know where to start.'

With ChatGPT's help, Allan created a debt repayment tracker in Google Sheets and set up a 30-day challenge, which gave her a new task each day. From cancelling unused subscriptions to selling unwanted items on Facebook Marketplace, every task was designed to chip away at her debt.

'Some of the ideas were kind of wild, but they were fun,' she told The Daily Mail. 'Some made me money right away, and the process kept me accountable every day.' One clever tip was to check her state's website for unclaimed money, an idea that led to an unexpected windfall.

Turning Small Wins into Major Progress

ChatGPT's advice went beyond just cutting back. It suggested side hustles Allan had not considered, such as joining UserTesting to review new products for cash or signing up with Rover to walk dogs. Even hunting for spare change at home paid off, with Allan discovering $50 (£37.21) hidden in her sofa cushions.

Another surprising tip was selling junk mail. The Small Business Knowledge Centre (SBKC) offers points redeemable for gift cards in exchange for certain insurance and financial marketing materials, making it an easy way to earn extra rewards.

Allan also generated income by selling her photos to Shutterstock and donating plasma, which can earn $30 to $70 (£22.32 to £52.09) per session, according to GoodRx. Other money-saving ideas included switching to a cheaper mobile provider, using cash-back apps, searching for forgotten gift cards, and redeeming loyalty points.

The Power of a Mindset Shift

Perhaps most importantly, Allan credits the technology with changing her outlook on debt. By offering encouragement and practical ideas, it helped her see becoming debt-free as a real possibility. 'I went from thinking, "What am I going to do?" to, "I can pay this off and I can do it quickly",' she said.

In just a matter of months, Allan managed to halve her debt, paying off about $12,000 (£9,292.30) of the $23,000 (£17,114.50) total.

Inspiring Others to Take Control

By sharing her progress on TikTok, Allan's story resonated with viewers across the globe, drawing hundreds of thousands of views. She hopes that her example will inspire others to tackle their own financial challenges using the digital tools now at their fingertips.

Her journey shows that, with discipline and the right guidance, anyone can develop a strategy to pay down debt without the need for an expensive financial adviser. As more households face mounting credit card bills and rising living costs, Allan's experience is proof that technology can empower ordinary people to regain control and achieve financial freedom.