Their game began when Terrell got approved for an Amazon credit card.
Hill was so excited for her that she applied for one and got approved as well.
We Dare You to Take Control of Your Debt
Up for a debt challenge?
In 2018, Sha’Kreshia Terrell and Sau-Sha Hill began doubling down on their debt-payoff efforts. Last year alone, the friends paid off $27,000 of their combined $70,000 of debt. Terrell has $1,450 of debt left, and Hill has $2,500. Chelsea Purgahn for The Penny Hoarder
In 10 days,these 10 practical stepscould help you get back on the right financial track.
Neither one of us knew how credit cards worked, Hill said.
We just knew we could get them.
Then the interest hit me all at once.
But the excitement from the new cards gradually wore off.
After that, she tried to be more responsible, but something would always come up.
Shed end up spending on the cards again and taking out another personal loan to pay them off.
I created a cycle for myself that I couldnt get out of until this year, Hill admitted.
Terrells debt reached $40,000, mostly on credit cards.
She had a moment of clarity one week after she worked overtime at her 9 to 5.
She was so excited to take home that extra money, but her excitement was short-lived.
And I couldnt take it anymore.
It wasnt something we were planning to start, Terrell said.
It really all started by accident.
Since they hadnt planned to be accountability partners, they didnt have a formal protocol.
They just did what worked for them.
Heard of These Credit Card Debt Tips?
But millions of Americans overlookthese easy tipsthat could help them manage credit card debt even more wisely.
Read moreto boost your credit knowledge and keep your credit score in check.
The friends also take more tangible measures to help each other out.
ShaKreshia would literally take my credit cards out of my wallet and keep them at home, Hill joked.
They no longer work together, but they still talk daily, and they discuss their finances frequently.
Its a habit for us now, Hill said.
Well either call each other, text each other, shell shoot me an email.
Weve been doing it for so long [that] weve figured out each others spending triggers.
Hill says her spending trigger is her big heart.
Any time someone is in need, she wants to buy a gift card for them.
I have to remind her that she has everything in the world already.
Terrell admits to making too many fast-food trips.
Shes not a great cook, but shes working on it to get her fast-food spending down.
Theyre Almost Debt-Free.
Heres Their Next Goal
In 2018, they both began doubling down on their debt-payoff efforts.
This year alone, the friends paid off $27,000 of their combined $70,000 of debt.
Terrell has $1,450 of debt left, and Hill has $2,500.
Being so close to freedom from debt has its own challenges.
Hill recently had to talk Terrell out of buying a new car.
So the ladies next goal one of many is to upgrade their cars… in cash.
Their partnership hasnt just changed their spending habits.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
Jen Smith is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
She gives money-saving and debt-payoff tips on Instagram at @savingwithspunk.