Woman claims ChatGPT helped her clear Rs 20 lakh debt; here's how
In an era of rising personal debt and economic pressure, one Delaware woman turned to artificial intelligence for help—and it worked. Jennifer Allan, a 35-year-old realtor and content creator, managed to pay off $12,078.93 of her $23,000 credit card debt in just 30 days by using ChatGPT. Her approach did not involve complicated investment strategies or financial windfalls. Instead, she relied on daily, practical advice generated by AI. By using ChatGPT to uncover unclaimed funds, identify spending leaks, and adopt cost-cutting habits, Allan achieved a financial breakthrough that many Americans strive for.
Her story sheds light on how artificial intelligence can be used beyond the workplace or academic settings, offering a new path for individuals overwhelmed by debt or lacking financial literacy. As reported by Newsweek, her experience also reflects a broader concern, as household debt in the US has now climbed to $18.2 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
With Rs 20 lakh in credit card debt, this mom used ChatGPT to take control
Despite a steady income, Allan found herself drowning in debt following the birth of her daughter. Medical emergencies and increased expenses associated with new parenthood forced her to rely more heavily on credit cards. Over time, the debt became unmanageable.
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'We weren't living lavishly. We were just surviving,' Allan told Newsweek. 'But the debt piled up while I wasn't looking.'
Recognising the urgency of her situation, Allan turned to ChatGPT for structured guidance. She committed to a self-designed 30-day challenge, during which she followed a unique AI-generated financial task every day.
ChatGPT's action plan: One task at a time
Throughout the challenge, ChatGPT suggested simple yet impactful steps. These included:
Identifying and cancelling unused subscriptions
Reviewing financial apps and consolidating accounts
Brainstorming realistic side hustles
Creating pantry-only meal plans to reduce grocery costs
Reviewing bank statements for overlooked or forgotten funds
Allan credited the AI's consistency for keeping her motivated. 'It wasn't some big financial hack,' she said. 'It was the act of facing it every day, of tracking it, talking about it, looking at it. I stopped being afraid of my numbers.'
Unclaimed funds make a big difference
One of the most significant outcomes of the challenge was the discovery of over $10,000 in unclaimed or forgotten assets. These included a dormant brokerage account and funds sitting idle in lesser-used digital wallets and financial platforms.
In addition, the switch to a pantry-based meal plan helped slash her grocery bill by nearly Rs 50,000, enabling her to divert that money toward debt repayment.
At the end of the challenge, Allan had successfully paid off $12,078.93—just over half of her total credit card debt. Encouraged by this progress, she is now planning to launch a second 30-day challenge to eliminate the remainder.
Importantly, Allan emphasised that the success came not from any secret financial knowledge, but from finally taking consistent and informed action.
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