Do you know what hurts the most about EMIs? It’s not just the monthly payment; it’s that constant feeling of being chained to something. Every time my salary came in, I’d watch a big chunk disappear instantly—like I was working just to keep up with my debts. And honestly, I felt stuck.
But one day, I had this realization: What if I could flip the script? What if I could use the money I was already spending on EMIs to actually build savings? That single thought changed everything.
Today, I’m not just EMI-free—I’ve turned those same amounts into extra savings that make me feel secure and free. And the best part? You can do this too. Let me share exactly how I made this transformation and how you can start building your own path to financial freedom.
For months, I avoided looking at my total EMI outflow. It was scary. But the moment I wrote down all my EMIs and calculated the total interest I was paying, I had a reality check.
If you want to break free, you need clarity first. List down every EMI—credit cards, personal loans, car loans, anything. See how much is draining your income each month. This single step will show you exactly where you need to act.
I didn’t have a huge amount of money to clear all debts in one go. So I started with the smallest EMI. Why? Because when I cleared that first small EMI, I felt a win—a mental victory that pushed me to keep going.
Once that EMI was gone, I didn’t spend that freed-up money. Instead, I added it to the next EMI, making larger payments and clearing them faster. This snowball method worked like magic!
This was my biggest secret. As soon as I cleared one EMI, I pretended it still existed. I’d put the same amount into a separate savings account each month—like a “fake EMI” but one that paid me.
Within a year, that little trick built up an emergency fund that I never thought I could have. Imagine the peace of mind when an unexpected expense comes, and you don’t have to swipe a credit card or take another loan.
When I looked closely, I realized I was paying for subscriptions I barely used—streaming platforms, premium apps, memberships. I canceled them all and directed that money toward extra EMI payments.
Even cutting back on random impulse buys—like that extra latte or a cute mug I didn’t need—gave me enough to pay down EMIs faster. Every dollar you save is a dollar closer to freedom.
Manually managing EMIs and savings was exhausting, so I automated everything. My EMI payments went out on time, and my “fake EMI” savings also auto-transferred to my savings account.
This one habit removed stress and ensured that I never “forgot” to save or pay down debt. Trust me, automation is your best friend when you’re trying to break free.
This was a game-changer. Earlier, I spent almost everything I earned—upgrading my lifestyle whenever I got a raise. But I realized this constant “earning more, spending more” cycle was keeping me trapped.
I drew a line: I would live on less than I earned and save the rest. That didn’t mean I stopped enjoying life. I simply became smarter. I swapped expensive weekend plans for cozy movie nights at home, cooked more meals instead of ordering takeout, and chose quality over quantity when shopping.
The result? Those small changes freed up extra cash, which I used to pay off EMIs faster. And when the EMIs were gone, all that extra money flowed straight into my savings.
You’d be surprised how much money you can save by just asking. I called my bank and credit card companies and asked for lower interest rates. It felt uncomfortable at first, but guess what? One of my banks actually reduced my interest rate because I had a good payment history.
That single phone call saved me hundreds of dollars in interest over the year. And I funneled all that “saved interest” into my savings account. Sometimes, a little courage can bring big results.
Once I cleared a big portion of my EMIs, my focus shifted to protecting myself from future debt. Life is unpredictable—medical bills, sudden car repairs, job changes. I never wanted to go back to the EMI trap.
So I made my “fake EMI” savings account double as an emergency fund. Slowly, I built it up to cover at least 3–6 months of my essential expenses. The peace of mind this gave me was priceless. Now, if something unexpected happens, I don’t have to take another loan—I simply dip into my own savings.
After clearing all my EMIs, I had a choice: keep spending that extra cash or make it work for me. I chose the second option. I started small with SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) and a high-interest savings account.
The key here was consistency. I treated those investments like EMIs, but this time, I was paying my future self. Watching my money grow instead of disappear into loans gave me a sense of power I had never felt before.
This is perhaps the most important step. I realized that money isn’t about having more—it’s about using it wisely and with intention. I no longer see savings as a sacrifice. To me, savings represent freedom:
Freedom to say no to a job I don’t like.
Freedom to handle emergencies without fear.
Freedom to plan a vacation without guilt.
The day I paid my last EMI, I sat down with a cup of coffee and just breathed. It felt like the heavy chains of financial stress had finally fallen off. That feeling of lightness is something every woman deserves.
Whether you live in New York, London, Toronto, or Paris, the principles remain the same. When you start treating EMIs as temporary and savings as permanent, your life transforms. It’s not about how much you earn—it’s about how much you keep and grow.
If you’ve been struggling with debt, start small. Pay off one EMI, redirect that money to savings, and watch the ripple effect. Trust me, once you get that first taste of financial freedom, you’ll never want to go back.
Step 1: Write down all your EMIs and prioritize which one you’ll clear first.
Step 2: Create a “fake EMI” account and start transferring at least $20–$50 into it every month.
Step 3: Cancel or cut down on 1–2 unnecessary expenses this week and redirect that money toward your goal.
Every little action counts. You don’t have to do everything overnight—but starting today will make a huge difference a year from now.
Turning EMIs into savings isn’t a secret anymore—it’s a choice. I made that choice, and it changed my life. And if I can do it, so can you. Imagine a future where your money isn’t tied up in loans but is instead building the life you’ve always dreamed of. That’s not just possible—it’s waiting for you to take the first step today. 💖