“I just want to get out of debt and feel financially free again.”
This is something I hear quite often from people who approach me about financial coaching.
Having spent 18 years working in investment and private banking, I have seen how differently people experience and manage money. And one thing I have learned is that financial wellbeing isn't simply about knowing the numbers. Our habits, decisions, priorities and the life we want to create all play a part.
When people talk to me about debt, they rarely talk only about how much they owe. They talk about the weight of it. The feeling of working hard but never quite getting ahead, or of having things they want to do with their lives but feeling that their finances are standing in the way.
If that sounds familiar, the good news is that you don't need to solve everything today.
You just need to start.
- Get clear on where you are
It can be tempting to avoid looking too closely at debt because seeing the full picture feels uncomfortable.
But uncertainty often creates more anxiety than the numbers themselves. Write everything down and understand where you really stand. Clarity is the first step towards feeling in control again.
- Look at your money without judgement
Where is your money actually going each month?
This isn't about feeling guilty about what you've spent in the past. It's about becoming curious about your choices and asking: Is the way I'm using my money today helping me create the life I want tomorrow?
A financial plan should give you more freedom, not feel like punishment.
- Make the goal feel achievable
“Become debt-free” can feel enormous. So break it down.
Choose what you're going to tackle first and focus on the next milestone rather than constantly looking at the entire journey ahead.
Progress creates confidence—and confidence makes it easier to keep going.
- Understand what keeps pulling you backwards
Sometimes the challenge isn't knowing what to do. It's doing it consistently.
Maybe spending is connected to stress. Maybe you avoid looking at your finances when you're anxious. Maybe you start with an ambitious plan but find it impossible to maintain.
Understanding your own patterns can be just as important as understanding the numbers.
- Remember what you're actually working towards
This, for me, is the most important question:
What would become possible in your life if money wasn't holding you back?
Would you travel more? Change careers? Start a business? Build savings? Have more choices? Or simply stop worrying about money all the time?
Because becoming debt-free isn't really the ultimate goal. The life you want to create on the other side of the debt is.
And that's what financial wellbeing means to me: not simply having better numbers on a spreadsheet, but feeling more confident and in control of your money so that it supports the life you actually want to live.
If you're struggling with debt or simply want to feel more in control of your finances, feel free to reply to this email and ask me any questions.
Or, if you'd like to talk it through, you can book a free 60-minute introductory consultation.
Warm regards,
Yana Gusakova
Life, Career & Financial Wellbeing Coach
yanagusakova.com
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