Most people don’t talk about their bank accounts. It’s the last "taboo." But we’ve realized that keeping our debt a secret only gives it more power.
Today, we’re breaking the silence. Welcome to the very first edition of Almost Debt Free.
What is "Almost Debt Free"?
This isn’t a newsletter written by millionaires looking back at their humble beginnings. This is a real-time journal of our escape from the rat race.
Almost every day, you can expect:
The Raw Numbers: Total transparency on our debt, savings, and spending.
The Strategy: What we’re cutting, how we’re earning extra, and the "wins" (and fails) of the week.
The Mindset: How to stay motivated when the finish line feels miles away.
The Culture Clash
What makes our journey unique isn't just the amount we owe—it’s how we got here. We represent a "perfect storm" of two completely different worlds:
The First World Perspective: One of us grew up in a culture where opportunity is everywhere, but debt is the "normal" way to fund it. Credit cards, car notes, and "buy now, pay later" were just part of the landscape.
The Third World Perspective: The other grew up in a culture where debt was non-existent because it wasn't even an option. You either had the cash, or you didn't buy it. She never had a cent of debt in her life—until she met her husband.
When these two worlds collided, we realized we had to unlearn everything. We’re blending the ambition of one culture with the discipline of the other to fight our way out of the rat race.
Why follow us?
You should follow along not because we have it all figured out, but because we are navigating the messy middle. We’re proof that your background doesn't have to define your financial future. Whether you’re a "spender" by habit or a "saver" by nature, we’re showing you exactly how we’re bridging that gap.
The Starting Line (Accountability)
To stay honest, we’re laying it all out. Here is our "Culture Clash" debt total as of January 13, 2026:
The first section is our total liquid cash. The second section is our total consumer debt in Philippine peso.
Our Goal: To hit 0 in consumer debt by December 31, 2029 or earlier.
Join the Conversation
We know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, feeling like you’re running a race on a treadmill that’s going too fast. We want to show you that there’s a way to step off the machine.
Which side of the "Culture Clash" do you fall on? Are you a "credit is normal" person trying to stop, or a "debt is terrifying" person trying to manage it? Hit reply and let us know—we read every response.
To freedom,
Mrs Almost Debt Free
