A self-confessed shopaholic who once splashed more than £1,000 in a single day has revealed how she turned her life around after racking up £23,000 of debt.
Jenna Way admits she treated credit cards like “free money”, spending thousands on clothes, takeaways, birthdays and Christmas presents.
The 33-year-old mum said she regularly overspent on herself, husband Callum Way, 36, and their children without thinking about the consequences.
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But after years of struggling, the mum-of-two finally decided enough was enough and dedicated herself to clearing the debt.
“I was just going out every day and buying unnecessary things,” Jenna, who is based in North East England, told Need To Know.
“If I saw something for me, Callum or the kids I just bought it.
“I would do big food shops and then we would eat out or takeaways instead, so had to bin loads of food.
“In one day, a Tuesday, I spent over £1,000 on clothes for us all, a walking treadmill, a Michael Kors watch…
“I couldn’t be stopped with a credit card in my hand!”
Jenna said her money troubles began in 2016 after she left an unhealthy relationship.
She was juggling life as a full-time student, part-time barmaid and new mum.
She said: “I had to count literal copper at the shops to buy bread and pasta.
“We lived off processed food and takeaways – not good for your health or your purse.”
After discovering credit cards, Jenna quickly spiralled into debt.
She added: “I was offered lots of credit and I didn’t understand the APR or what I had to pay back.
“I finally was able to treat myself and buy things I never thought I could.
“But my priorities got lost and I ended up buying rubbish and maxing out credit cards.”
Despite knowing the debt was mounting, Jenna admitted she felt trapped.
The turning point came when yet another credit card application was rejected.
She said: “I applied for another credit card, maybe my sixth and I got a £200 credit limit, and I thought ‘oh my god my credit is so bad I can’t get any more’.
“I felt like I was drowning and suffocating.
“It was sink or swim and I realised I didn’t want to sink, I wanted to swim for my family.”
Jenna and Callum, who met in 2017, sat down together to tackle the growing pile of debt letters and start budgeting properly.
She said: “We were paying thousands each month in interest alone.
“My mental health plummeted and I really questioned whether I was worth being here.”
Determined to change, Jenna began obsessively researching budgeting online – learning about cash stuffing, promo codes and saving hacks.
She said: “It was all alien to me and I had no idea about it all but I spent hours and hours researching and reading anything about money!”
The couple also proved you do not need to spend a fortune to have a dream wedding.
They tied the knot in 2018 for just £1,000 with help from friends and family.
Jenna’s dress cost just £20 from eBay, their rings were under £80 and relatives helped with the cake, food and decorations.
She said: “We had about 80 people and it was the most magical day.
“It told me you didn’t need to keep spending to be where you wanted to be.”
Over the years, Jenna worked extra jobs, including cleaning and bar work while also completing an apprenticeship.
At one stage she was juggling four jobs at once, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted.
But stepping back and focusing on her career eventually led to promotions and pay rises, helping the family clear more debt.
Now, Jenna and Callum have paid off more than £16,000 and expect to be debt-free in 2026.
The couple – parents to Lily Way, eight, and Rhys Way, 13 – say their spending habits have completely changed.
Jenna said: “I religiously check my budget tracker every month.
“My husband and I have the best open and honest communication and we both run by the budget.
“I still use my cashback apps, receipt scanning apps and I love Vinted.”
The family have since enjoyed their first overseas holiday together and even taken a couple’s trip to Rome.
Jenna added: “We’ve still dabbled in credit cards but we are getting better each month and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.”
