How a Client Turned Their McDonald's Paycheck Into a Plan for Financial Freedom

Everyday Wealth
Jan 20
3 min read

A client recently reached out to us, questioning whether it was possible to save money or pay off debt while working on a regular job. This client works at McDonald's, earning an average of $16.57/hour, and wanted to know how they could build a better financial future.

Here is a breakdown of their monthly budget:

Phone bill: $30
Car insurance: $197.98
Car payment: $419.23
Gas: $150
Groceries: $510
Rent: $1,000
Credit card minimum payment: $150

With a take-home pay of about $2,880/month, their total monthly expenses added up to $2,457.21. This left them with only $422.79/month in extra income.

However, they face a significant challenge: a $5,000 maxed-out credit card with a 21.47% interest rate, costing them $90/month in interest alone! They were stuck paying the minimum balance and feeling like they weren’t making any progress.

Step 1: Tackle the Debt

Our first discussion focused on creating a plan to pay off the credit card as quickly as possible. Here's the approach we recommended:

Redirect savings toward the card: Using $400/month of their leftover $422.79 to pay off the balance aggressively.
Stick to the minimum for everything else: Keeping their regular expenses in check to free up as much cash flow as possible.
Look into a balance transfer card: Finding a 0% interest promotion could save them hundreds in interest while they tackle the debt.

By sticking to this plan, they could eliminate the entire $5,000 balance in 13 months, instead of taking years and wasting over $1,000 on interest by just paying the minimum.

Step 2: Build for the Future

After eliminating the debt, we helped them create a plan for their remaining income:

Start saving: Even $50–$100/month could go toward an emergency fund or investment account.
Focus on long-term goals: By redirecting the $400 they were using for debt payments, they could now start building wealth and saving for future opportunities.

Step 3: Increase Income

Paying off debt is easier when there’s more money to work with. We also talked about different ways they could boost their monthly income, even with a busy schedule:

Affiliate marketing: Sharing products or services they truly believe in online and earning a commission. With a smartphone and social media, they could build a side income from anywhere.
Side hustles: Driving for rideshare services (Uber), food delivery (Skip), or offering freelance skills like virtual assisting, graphic design, writing, or tutoring (Fiverr). They can also learn on different platforms like Udemy at low costs.
Selling unused items: Decluttering and selling things they no longer use on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Karrot, Kijiji or eBay.
Part-time gigs: Taking on flexible work during weekends or evenings to bring in extra cash.

Even an additional $200–$500 per month could speed up debt payments and start building savings.

The Power of a Plan

The power of this story lies in their realization: They didn’t need a six-figure salary to create financial freedom. With a focused plan, they were able to take control of their money, tackle debt, and begin saving for the future.

If you’re in a similar situation, remember: It’s not about how much you make—it’s about how you manage it. Even small changes, like tracking your expenses and sticking to a budget, can have a huge impact over time.

Extra Tips To Save More

🍱 Meal prep: Cut back on takeout and save $100+ a month.
🏡 Roommates: Splitting rent can free up hundreds.
🚶‍♂️ Walk, Public Transportation or carpool: Reduce gas costs and wear on your car.
💳 Track spending: Small expenses add up—know where your money goes!

What’s Holding You Back?

Whether it’s debt, saving, or simply figuring out where to start, we’re here to help. If you’re ready to create your own financial breakthrough, reach out today. Sometimes, all it takes is a plan—and a little support—to completely transform your finances.

Ready to take the first step towards your financial breakthrough? Let’s talk!