economy
January 29, 2026
44-year-old nurse paid off nearly $1 million in debt in under 3 years: 'My relationship with money shifted drastically'
From 2015 to 2017, Naseema McElroy paid off nearly $1 million in debt. Now, she's saving aggressively in pursuit of financial freedom.
TL;DR
- Naseema McElroy paid off nearly $1 million in debt from April 2015 to November 2017.
- Her debt included a mortgage, student loans, a condo mortgage, car payments, IRS debt, and a 403(b) loan.
- She used a debt snowball strategy, meticulous budgeting, and sold her house to achieve debt freedom.
- McElroy now aggressively saves and invests in retirement accounts and for her children's future.
- She also earns income from her personal finance business, leasing her minivan on Turo, and renting out a room.
- Her goal is financial flexibility to spend more time on important activities and with her daughters, not just traditional retirement.
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