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Student loan debt haunts millions of Americans daily. Many wish they’d understood the fine print before signing those papers, while others completely regret their decision. Meanwhile, countless borrowers feel misled by promised relief plans that haven’t come through.
One woman has turned to TikTok for advice on handling her overwhelming debt situation.
Woman Drowning In $60K Student Debt Seeks “Diabolical” Money-Saving Advice
@lilydebtfree
Student loan content creator Lily (@lilydebtfree) appears to have reached her breaking point with debt management. Her viral TikTok video – which has racked up more than 6.2 million views – shows her asking followers for extreme financial advice.
“I’m 60k in debt and I need everybody’s most unhinged hacks on how they saved money. I’m not talking ‘I ate ramen everyday’ I’m talking absolutely diabolical,” reads the desperate text overlay on Lily’s frustrated-looking video.
In her caption, Lily mentioned she’s downloaded the Ditch app (for which she serves as an ambassador) that helps users pay down debt faster by rounding up purchases and applying the difference to loans. But she’s clearly looking for additional strategies.
The response was overwhelming. Her comments section quickly filled with everything from practical financial wisdom to strategies that might raise eyebrows – or be impossible to maintain without serious lifestyle sacrifices.
From Practical to Extreme: What Commenters Suggested
Some offered surprisingly rational financial advice. One user recommended a matching system: “$8 on coffee, $8 saved. Makes you really consider what to spend your money on when everything cost double.” This psychological trick forces you to weigh every purchase twice.
Working extra became a common theme. Several commenters suggested taking on second jobs or overtime shifts. One person claimed they eliminated $45,000 in debt within a year by working 15-hour days without a single day off for eight consecutive months.
The classic “move back home” strategy appeared repeatedly. “In 2.5 years I saved $65k,” wrote one commenter who returned to their parents’ house. Others mentioned driving paid-off cars instead of upgrading, eliminating subscriptions, and living well below their means.
Food budgeting advice was simple but effective: “Lentils and brown rice are a complete protein and very cheap.”
Then came the more creative – and sometimes questionable – suggestions. Some recommended jobs that limit spending opportunities, like cruise ships or remote FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) positions. “I uprooted my whole life and became a fifo worker. honestly earn more money than i know what to do with,” one person shared.
The avoidance approach had its advocates. “I just simply told myself ‘I am debt free’ and ignored it LOL,” wrote one commenter – definitely not financial advice anyone should follow.
Others suggested extreme measures. One person claimed they paid off $80,000 in six months through stripping. Another admitted they moved abroad until the statute of limitations on their debt expired, then returned home – a strategy with serious legal and credit implications.
Perhaps most surprising was the marriage angle. One commenter confessed they included a clause in their prenup transferring all debt to their partner if they cheated. “He lasted a year,” they added cryptically.
The Broader Student Loan Crisis
For millions of Americans, student loans aren’t just numbers on a statement – they’re life-altering burdens that shape major decisions and cause significant emotional distress.
Borrowers frequently postpone homeownership, starting families, or making other significant investments. As tuition costs have skyrocketed, debt has become both more common and substantially larger, leaving young adults stressed, anxious, and sometimes questioning whether their degree was worth the cost.
The Pew Research Center reports that approximately one-third of young borrowers believe their education’s lifetime cost outweighs its benefits, while a quarter say they’re barely staying afloat financially.
The generational divide is stark – about 25% of adults under 40 carry student loan debt, compared with just 14% of those in their 40s and a mere 4% of older Americans.
While graduates with loans typically earn more than those without degrees, they still lag behind peers who graduated debt-free. Only 29% of young borrowers report living comfortably, versus 53% of graduates who didn’t need to borrow.
