Jenna Way, a 33-year-old mother from North East England, has turned her life around after accumulating £23,000 in credit card debt. She once spent over £1,000 in a single day on clothes, a walking treadmill, and a Michael Kors watch, treating credit cards as 'free money'. Now, she and her husband Callum have paid off more than £16,000 and expect to be debt-free by 2026.
The spiral into debt
Jenna's money troubles began in 2016 after leaving an unhealthy relationship. She was a full-time student, part-time barmaid, and new mother, often counting coins to buy bread and pasta. When credit cards became available, she quickly overspent: 'I was offered lots of credit and I didn’t understand the APR. I finally was able to treat myself, but my priorities got lost.'
She admitted to buying unnecessary items daily, including large food shops that went to waste as the family ate takeaways. Despite knowing the debt was growing, she felt trapped. The turning point came when a sixth credit card application was rejected with a £200 limit: 'I thought, my credit is so bad. I felt like I was drowning.'
Turning point and budgeting
Jenna and Callum, who met in 2017, sat down to tackle the debt letters and start budgeting. They were paying thousands each month in interest alone. Jenna's mental health suffered, but she resolved to change: 'It was sink or swim. I wanted to swim for my family.'
She obsessively researched budgeting online, learning about cash stuffing, promo codes, and saving hacks. The couple also proved that a dream wedding doesn't require a fortune: they married in 2018 for just £1,000, with Jenna's £20 eBay dress and rings under £80.
Working multiple jobs and progress
Over the years, Jenna worked extra jobs – cleaning, bar work, and an apprenticeship – sometimes juggling four jobs at once. She said: 'I was physically and mentally exhausted.' But focusing on her career led to promotions and pay rises, helping clear more debt.
Now, Jenna and Callum have paid off over £16,000 and expect to be debt-free in 2026. Their spending habits have completely changed. Jenna said: 'I religiously check my budget tracker every month. We have open communication and run by the budget.' She still uses cashback apps and Vinted.
Life after debt
The family has enjoyed their first overseas holiday together and a couple's trip to Rome. Jenna added: 'We’ve still dabbled in credit cards but we are getting better each month. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.'
