Melanie Lockert joins us today to share her story of student loan debt and her subsequent inability to find a job when she graduated into one of the worst job markets America had ever seen, and her spiral into depression and shame over her debt. Melanie is not alone - as of 2018, more than 44.2 MILLION borrowers owe more than $1.5 TRILLION! (link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_debt) September is National Suicide Prevention month - and Melanie hosts a Suicide Prevention Blog Tour every year due to the sheer number of people who find her blog when they search "I want to kill myself because of debt". Melanie advocates sitting down and figuring out exactly how much your debt is costing you per day, which was both a big source of shame as well as a HUGE motivator for her to pay it off. She also shares her journey out of debt - and out of depression through therapy. Melanie also shares resources for people feeling overwhelmed. Find counseling options at www.openpathcollective.org, talk to someone through text by texting HOME to 741741, which is the Crisis Text line or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. In This Episode We Cover: Melanie's journey with money Experiencing mental health issues because of debt Start blogging and wrote break-up letters to debt How she paid off her debt Her main side hustle How much it costs her to pay her student loan debts The reason why debt is depressing The biggest mistake people are making Her advice to anyone who has the same path with her Five stages of grief that are similar to paying off debt On living in denial Steps to prepare your mindset and addressing the underlying issues  Therapy hack What keep her motivated Talking about the first person who reach out to her How she personally managed to pay off her student loans On making more money What her life look like after she paid off her student loan debt And SO much more! Links from the Show Craigslist TaskRabbit FinCon Mint Open Path Collective Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 Suicidal Hotline - 1-800-273-8255 Suicide Prevention National Foundation for Credit Counseling Annual Credit Report Side Hustle Nation BiggerPockets Money Podcast 90: From Unplanned Pregnancy to Financially Free with Melissa from Traveling Wallet BiggerPockets Money Podcast 28: How Anyone Can Easily Make Extra Money Using Side Hustles with Nick Loper BiggerPockets Money Podcast 50: Rebuilding Your Financial Life After Bankruptcy with Patrice Washington BiggerPockets Money Podcast 35: Hacking Your Life to Live for (Almost) Free with Craig Curelop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices