How a US Mom Used ChatGPT to Pay Off Nearly ₹20 Lakh in Credit Card Debt
How a US Mom Used ChatGPT to Pay Off Nearly ₹20 Lakh in Credit Card Debt
Jennifer Allan, a 35-year-old mother from Delaware, USA, turned to AI to overcome her mounting credit card debt—and the results were remarkable. Despite having a stable income from her work as a realtor and content creator, Allan struggled for years to manage her finances, a challenge made worse by unexpected medical expenses after the birth of her daughter.
“We weren’t living extravagantly,” Allan explained. “We were just trying to get by. But the debt kept creeping up until it felt impossible.”
Determined to take control, Allan created a 30-day personal finance challenge using ChatGPT. Each day, she asked the AI for a simple, actionable step to help reduce her debt—and committed to following through.
The approach proved surprisingly effective. One day, ChatGPT suggested reviewing old financial accounts, leading Allan to discover more than $10,000 (about ₹8.5 lakh) left forgotten in a brokerage account. Another day, the AI recommended meal planning based only on pantry supplies, which helped her cut her monthly grocery bills by around ₹50,000 without compromising on meals.
None of the tips were groundbreaking—but the daily habit of checking in on her finances made the difference. “It wasn’t magic,” Allan said. “It was about consistently facing my finances instead of avoiding them.”
By the end of the challenge, Allan had paid off over $12,000 (around ₹10.3 lakh), wiping out more than half of her total debt of approximately $23,000 (nearly ₹19.7 lakh). Motivated by this success, she now plans a second 30-day round to clear the remaining amount.
Allan shared her journey on social media, encouraging others to start—even if they don’t feel financially ready. “You don’t need to have it all figured out,” she advised. “Just stop pretending everything is fine when it isn’t.”
Her story resonates at a time when household debt in the US has climbed to $18.2 trillion in early 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. While AI tools like ChatGPT aren’t a quick fix, Allan’s experience shows how technology, paired with commitment and honesty, can spark real financial change.
