The Debt Free Starter Pack: How to Start Paying Off Debt Without Feeling Overwhelmed

If you’re in debt and don’t know where to start, start here.

It’s incredibly tempting, when you’ve got your eye on a big money goal, to skip a few steps. You just want to get there quickly.

But after years of helping women take control of their money, we know this to be true:
Real progress comes from focusing on one thing at a time.

Every month, we hear from people who want to:

• save for a house deposit
• build a maternity fund
• pay off debt
• and start an emergency fund

All at the same time.

It’s enough to make even the most organised person feel overwhelmed.

That’s exactly why The Money Playbook exists. It’s designed to help you tackle one thing at a time, give it your full attention, and create a snowball effect of wins, instead of spreading yourself so thin that nothing really moves.

This page brings together all the Financielle resources you need if you’re ready to start clearing your debt. You don’t need to read or watch everything today. Bookmark it, save it, and come back when you need.

Start Here: The Survive Stage

If you’re in debt, you’re likely in the Survive stage of The Money Playbook.

This stage isn’t about investing, optimisation, or big moves. It’s about stability.

Right now, your priority is to:

• stop things getting worse
• reduce stress
• create breathing space
• build a solid foundation

Progress in the Survive stage can feel slow and boring but it needs to be done.

Below are the key principles of this stage, condensed.

Know Your Numbers

This step is non-negotiable.

It’s time to stop burying your head in the sand. Knowledge is power, and knowing your numbers gives you a starting point.

You need to know:

• what’s coming in
• what’s going out
• what you owe

If more money is going out than coming in, that’s not a failure, it’s information. And information leads to better decisions. This step alone can reduce anxiety, because uncertainty is often more stressful than reality.

Create a Budget You Can Actually Stick To

Budgeting is the real game changer.

This is not about going ultra-frugal or putting your life on pause. Life is expensive. Housing, food, energy, childcare, it all adds up.

A good budget isn’t super restrictive, it’s permission to spend, just more intentionally.

Your budget should:

• cover your essentials
• allow for some flexibility
• and leave a clear amount (your excess) to work towards your goals

If your budget only works in a “perfect” month, it won’t work long-term.

👉 Your ultimate guide to budgeting

Track Your Net Worth (Even If It’s Negative)

Net worth tracking isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy. It’s one of the most motivating tools for people paying off debt, because it lets you see progress even when cash feels tight.

Your net worth is simply:

• what you own (assets)
• minus what you owe (liabilities)

Seeing your debts come down and your assets slowly rise can be really powerful especially when motivation dips.

And if your net worth starts in the negative? That’s completely okay. That’s just your starting point.

👉 How to track your net worth

Build a Mini Emergency Fund

Before aggressively paying down debt, you need a small buffer.

This is one of the most important yet most misunderstood steps.

Your goal here is a mini emergency fund:

• £500–£1,000
• or one month’s essential expenses

This fund is not for holidays or treats, it’s there to stop life pushing you backwards.

Without a buffer, one unexpected cost can send you straight back into debt, undoing all your hard work.

Once this is in place, your debt payoff becomes far more sustainable.

👉 How to build an emergency fund

Now: Paying Off Debt (The Right Way)

Once you’ve stabilised things, you can move into focused debt repayment.

At this stage, the goal is momentum, not perfection.

You’ll need to:

• choose a payoff method (snowball or avalanche)
• automate minimum payments
• use your excess intentionally
• review progress regularly

The most effective method is the one you can stick to consistently.

👉 Step by step debt payoff guide

👉 Snowball or avalanche method

Enter The Vault

Sometimes it helps to hear real conversations, not just read advice. These episodes go deep into debt, shame, setbacks, and slow-but-steady progress.

The Vault Unlocked

In this episode, Laura gives you all the tools you need to pay off your debt.

The Vault

Read Real Debt-Free Stories

If you’re feeling behind, these stories matter.

No overnight success, no “cut out coffee” advice, just real people, real numbers, and steady progress.

👉 The mental toll of being in debt

👉 My secret shopping addiction almost ruined my life

Use the App (This Is Where It All Comes Together)

All of this is easier when everything lives in one place.

The Financielle app helps you:

• see your debts clearly
• build a realistic budget
• track progress (even slow progress)
• plan ahead so surprises don’t derail you
• stay motivated through community support

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start.
You can figure it out inside the app.

If You Only Do One Thing Today

If this page feels like a lot, here’s your one job today:

Write down every debt you have.

That’s it.

Clarity comes before confidence.
And you don’t have to do this alone.

Want to get more specific? 

Want to ditch buy now, pay later? Watch this and read this.

Want to be free from car finance payments? Read this.

Wondering if you should consolidate your debt? Read this.

Want to get out of your overdraft for good? Read this.