Rachel Jordan wakes up at 5 a.m. Most days and sometimes doesn’t clock out until midnight. She’s juggling two jobs and a mountain of student debt, trying to keep her finances from spiraling out of control.
A Grueling Routine
Jordan, 43, lives in Tampa, Florida, where she splits her time between a commercial real estate loan servicing role and working in the kids clothing section at Target. The shift at her first job often starts early in the morning, and after a quick break to care for her French bulldog, she heads to her second job. Some days stretch to 70 hours of work, a brutal schedule she maintains to chip away at her roughly $75,000 student loan debt.
She’s not required to make payments right now — her loans are in forbearance — but Jordan doesn’t let that stop her. She pushes herself to send $1,600 a month toward the debt, aiming to eventually ramp that up to $2,000. It’s a balancing act that leaves her drained. “I’m just exhausted, honestly,” she said.
Learning on the Fly
Jordan’s debt story isn’t unique. Millions of Americans carry student loans, often combined with credit card balances and car payments. She admits she racked up six figures in debt during the pandemic, including credit cards and a car loan, while trying to manage everyday costs like groceries and gas. Credit cards became a way to cope, offering a “dopamine hit” to ease the stress of the moment.
Her turning point came last year when she realized her debt was spiraling out of control. She started making steady payments and cleared her credit card debt, a milestone she still holds onto.
That shift changed her approach—she now treats her credit card like a debit card, paying it off weekly and sticking strictly to her budget.
Financial literacy wasn’t part of her upbringing. Jordan says she’s learning as she goes, discovering tools like Roth IRAs only recently through social media platforms like TikTok. She posts videos about her debt journey, both to stay accountable and to connect with others in similar situations.
Debt in America: A Broader Picture
Jordan’s story fits into a bigger financial puzzle. U.S. Household debt hit $18.8 trillion at the end of last year. That total includes mortgages, credit cards, car loans, and student loans. Rising living costs have forced many Americans to seek alternative payment options, like buy now, pay later services, just to cover basic expenses.
For people like Jordan, keeping living costs low is key. She shares a one-bedroom apartment and avoids unnecessary expenses. It’s a tough path, especially when juggling two jobs and trying to maintain some semblance of a normal life.
The Human Toll
The grind wears on Jordan. Long hours and financial stress often leave her drained, but she pushes forward. “If I put too much pressure on myself for more than I already am, it’s like I literally crumble,” she said. Her story shows the physical and emotional toll that debt can take, even on those who are determined to overcome it.
Still, Jordan’s resolve is clear. She’s committed to paying down her loans, sharing her progress online, and learning financial strategies along the way. Her journey highlights the challenges many face in managing debt while juggling multiple jobs and rising living costs.
Jordan’s experience shines a light on the harsh realities behind America’s growing debt crisis. With millions working long hours just to stay afloat, the question remains: how can more people break free from the cycle?
