It’s 3am, baby is sleeping, house is silent except the buzzing sound of the wearable breast pumps… Trying to desperately increase my milk supply during that prolactin-peak dark hours. Once in a while, you hear the dogs barking… This is me documenting my journey through the debt repayment spiral of entrepreneurship.
This journey documentation started back in July 2025, heart broken with the loss of my dog because I did not have enough time (and let’s face it: funds) to bring him to the vet. Both of my dogs were poisoned and only one made it. Karma will be served to the one who did that.
Fun fact: Before jumping in this entrepreneurship journey, I used to be this 9-5 corporate gal never stepping out of her comfort zone. Checking the boxes which are somehow normal in the society we live in. Savings Account was in check, 3 months of emergency funds was in check, side business was in check and booming as a start-up. All ingredients were present to bake that perfect cake. I didn’t think twice and took a personal loan to invest in the startup and go all in.
But here are the lessons learned from this particular situation:
1. Do what you love. The plan was perfectly mapped out… on paper! Those dark 3am pumps make you do a complete audit of your life, searching, thinking, analyzing what when wrong and how to turn this situation around. If you’re not passionate about your work, no matter how perfect it is on paper, you’re not going to succeed. The energy won’t align. While going back through my Pinterest personal account, I came across one board about blogging, dated 11 years ago. The dots instantly connected. I’ve realized I was all other the place (blog reflecting…) and needed restructuring by going back to my passion, which I never started 11 years back. DebtDiaryMom will provide both focus and accountability to get back on track. Speaking of accountability…
2. Emergency Funds are a game changer when you live paycheck to paycheck and with debts rising to the sky. We are slowing getting there. Fast forward September 2025, this Emergency Funds challenge template is helping me to reach that small safenet. If you are wondering whether to save first or payoff debt? This is made for you.
3. Take control of your finances by listing all on paper or in a spreadsheet. Don’t know where to start? Here’s a complete guide on how to start a zero based monthly budget. The template or spreadsheet only need a few twerks here and there. Write down your income, your expenses and start budgeting.
4. Organisation to the second, and most importantly REMINDERS, are the solutions when you’re a first time mom who has a small business to help contribute to the household.
Related read: Newborn Hacks: Automating Your Home in the Fourth Trimester
Going back to the main subject, here’s a debt status update for the end of August 2025.
We’ve been hitting minimum payments for both the mortgage and the personal loan. Borrowings from a family member still the same. Credit Card was used and interest is enormous. A sweet letter was received from the Insurance company, which was added to the overdue bills. If you have an suggestions for side hustles, please drop a comment. I would love to have your views.
In the meantime, see you in the next update.