I’ll be honest with you: I thought we were off to a great start.

I’ve been sharing our blueprint—the ₱100M dream, the 7 Cures, and the ₱7.3M debt mountain. But life doesn't care about your spreadsheets. Earlier this month, the "perfect storm" hit us again.

My husband lost two of his retainer clients. I lost two of mine. In a matter of weeks, 75% of our total income evaporated.

Right now, I am holding our household and our business together with my remaining two clients. It is incredibly tight. If we don’t see a breakthrough in February, we are facing the reality of letting go of our entire team. We might even have to move back in with my parents.

It sucks. There is no other word for it.

In my previous newsletters, I talk about grit and determination. But right now, I am at my absolute capacity.

I am still breastfeeding. I am doing the childcare so my husband can focus on his business. I am working what feels like two jobs to keep us afloat. I used to have a team to support me, but I made the difficult choice to move my team members over to my husband to give him the best chance at a "win."

Right now, I have one person helping me; he has six. The math isn't "mathing."

As a Type A person, it is agonizing to see a plan fall apart. It’s hard to stay quiet and wait for your partner to realize the reality of the situation on their own. It’s hard not to let the scarcity mindset creep back in when you’re tired, overworked, and staring at a dwindling bank balance.

I’m telling you this because I want you to know that the process isn't a magic wand. Following the 7 Cures from Babylon doesn't mean you won't face a drought. It means you have a system to survive the drought.

Here is how we are staying grounded while we wait for February:

When income drops by 75%, the first instinct is to panic and throw the budget out the window. We aren't doing that. We are tightening the "Cure #2" (Control thy expenditures) even further. Every peso is being defended.

Debt and financial loss are the #1 reasons for divorce. It would be easy for me to be resentful right now, but we are choosing to work together. We are leaning into the belief that God will prevail and provide. Sometimes, the "test" isn't about the money—it’s about the marriage.

I am helping my husband, but I’m also recognizing my own boundaries. I can’t do it all. I am trusting that he will make something happen on his end. Sometimes, the best thing a Type A person can do is step back and let the other person lead, even when it feels like everything is on the line.

This is what "escaping the rat race" actually looks like. It isn't a smooth transition; it’s a fight. It’s a series of two steps forward and three steps back.

If you are going through a "drought" right now—if you’ve lost a job, a client, or your peace of mind—I want you to know you aren't alone. We aren't writing this from a mountaintop. We are writing this from the trenches.

My grandma always told me to study hard and work hard. I’ve done that. But I’m learning that there is a third part to that equation: Have Faith. We don't know what March will look like. We might be in a different house. We might have a smaller team. But we will still be Almost Debt Free because we refuse to let a temporary loss of income change our long-term vision.

Have you ever had a moment where your plan completely fell apart? How did you keep the faith? Hit reply and let me know. I could use the encouragement this week.

To the breakthrough we’re waiting for,

Mrs Almost Debt Free