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It's easy to fall into debt. But once you've amassed a mountain of debt, it can often be challenging to climb out of it. In some cases, getting out of debt can feel like an insurmountable task, and that's exactly where this mother finds herself.
This guide explores expert guidance on how she might move forward with $60,000 of debt in tow.
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Stuck in debt
One concerned teenager living at home turned to Reddit for help on how to help their mother get out of debt. Redditor Prestigious-Band3633 explained that their mother has around $60,000 in debt, including student loans, credit cards, and personal loans. Until recently, their mother had $160,000 in debt, but approximately $100,000 of their student loans were forgiven.
As of now, their mother earns around $40,000 to $50,000 per year, and it's a struggle to pay bills each month. So much so that they have to borrow between $1,000 to $3,000 every month from grandparents to stay afloat, in addition to receiving some level of SNAP assistance.
With only $300 in savings, their mother spends around $400 per month on DoorDash, $300 on supplements, and an additional $300 to $500 per month on 'fancy' groceries, which are delivered due to the lack of a car. Since she hasn't held down a traditional job for a few years, her debt has continued to pile up.
The teenager wants to know how to help their mother through this tough financial situation, so we had some financial advisors weigh in.
Take an honest review of the expenses
When debt piles up, it's time to take a closer look at your expenses.
"Anyone struggling should have an honest look at spending," says Ashley Morgan, a bankruptcy lawyer in Northern Virginia. "I am not someone who nitpicks every small purchase, but spending four hundred dollars a month on food delivery while relying on food stamps and borrowing from elderly parents is not sustainable."
Tracking where the money is actually going can give you a better idea of what might need to change in order to get out of debt.
"Even reducing more of the discretionary spending by half would make a meaningful difference month to month," says Morgan.
Cut unnecessary expenses
After taking a closer look at their spending, it's likely time to make some cuts to discretionary spending.
"Spending $400 monthly on food delivery services is a great opportunity to cut costs, especially if you can instead make dinners," says Leslie H. Tayne, Esq., Finance and Debt Expert and Founder of Tayne Law Group.
"While it's convenient to get food delivered to your front door, when you are just scraping to get by, it's a better idea to allocate that funding elsewhere, such as bills or debt payoff," continues Leslie.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who complete the program and settle all debts typically save around 45% before fees or 20% including fees over 24–48 months, based on enrolled debts. “Debt-free” applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Average program completion time is 24–48 months; not all debts are eligible, and results vary as not all clients complete the program due to factors like insufficient savings. We do not guarantee specific debt reductions or timelines, nor do we assume debt, make payments to creditors, or offer legal, tax, bankruptcy, or credit repair services. Consult a tax professional or attorney as needed. Services are not available in all states. Participation may adversely affect your credit rating or score. Nonpayment of debt may result in increased finance and other charges, collection efforts, or litigation. Read all program materials before enrolling. National Debt Relief’s fees are based on a percentage of enrolled debt. All communications may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance. In certain states, additional disclosures and licensing apply. ©️ 2009–2025 National Debt Relief LLC. National Debt Relief (NMLS #1250950, CA CFL Lic. No. 60DBO-70443) is located at 180 Maiden Lane, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10038. All rights reserved. <b><a href="https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/licenses/">Click here</a></b> for additional state-specific disclosures and licensing information.</p>
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Re-enter the workforce
If the mother is able to work, it's likely a good time to re-enter the workforce. Without a stable income stream, it will be very difficult to reduce the household's reliance on support from their grandparents, let alone pay off debt.
"Being out of work for years can make it difficult to find work," says Morgan.
Morgan continues, "Typically, it means entering the workforce in some capacity and rebuilding slowly. Even part-time work is a starting point. I have seen clients feel overwhelmed by the idea of going back to work after a long gap, but the longer the gap continues, the harder it becomes."
A low-stress part-time job might offer a way for the mother to ease back into the workforce and rebuild her income.
Consider bankruptcy
With lots of debt and limited income, bankruptcy might be a realistic option in this situation.
"Often unsecured debt, like personal loans or credit cards, are high interest rates," says Morgan, "So right now, this person is likely borrowing from her parents to pay debt or using debt from one company to pay another."
If bankruptcy seems like a good option, the timing matters.
"People wait too long to consider bankruptcy because they feel like they should be able to handle it, but the math often does not work," says Morgan.
The mother should seriously consider the possibility of bankruptcy as an option to move the family forward financially.
Set an end date for family support
"Borrowing $1,000 to $3,000 a month from elderly parents is not a long-term solution," says Morgan, "It may be necessary in the short term, but it is putting pressure on them as well."
If possible, map out an end date for borrowing money every month from the grandparents. It might be a good time for the household to stand on its own.
"Often helping long term like this creates a fine line between helping and hurting. If there is long-term support without reason or conditions, it can continue indefinitely without real progress," says Morgan.
Explore debt relief options
With this amount of debt on a limited income, it could be worth looking into debt relief options. "Maybe you contact your credit card and personal loan lenders and ask about your options," says Tanye, "Sometimes the best fixes are right at your fingertips; you just have to ask for them."
Another possible solution is to work with a debt attorney to lower your liabilities.
"It could be a good idea to speak with a debt attorney, who can help negotiate debts on your behalf and inform you of your rights but you need to have a budget to pay the debts and you won't be able to use the cards anymore," says Tayne.
Bottom line
No one wants to be barely getting by; it's just not a good feeling. But once you've amassed some debt, getting out can feel tough. Instead of wishing for a different reality, consider taking small steps every day to lower your financial stress and make progress toward wiping the slate clean.
For example, you might skip takeout, pick up an extra hour of work, or take advantage of a balance transfer to cut down on interest charges. Every little bit can add up to a significant change in your financial situation.
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