by Yasawaii Saadiq, Founder of Third Eye Nubians 

You’ve got your budget. You’re in motion. You knocked out that first debt and felt the high of momentum. But then...boom... life happens. Unexpected car repair. A sick child. Hours cut at work. And just like that, it feels like your progress evaporates. This chapter is about building resilience. Because the truth is: setbacks aren’t failures. They’re part of the journey. And what separates those who get free from those who stay stuck… is how you respond when things go left. 

 

 1. Expect Detours, Don’t Be Derailed

You wouldn’t quit a road trip just because of a detour. You’d reroute. The same applies here. Your financial plan must be flexible, not fragile. Pro Tip: Build a mini-emergency fund of $500–$1,000 as early as possible. It’ll cushion the blow of surprise expenses without derailing your snowball.  

2. Reframe the Setback

When you hit a wall, your mind might scream, “I’m failing!” But what if it’s just feedback? Ask:  

  • What did this challenge reveal about my financial blind spots? 
  • What systems can I strengthen so I’m not caught like this again? 
  • How fast can I bounce back without quitting the mission? 

3. Pivot, Don’t Panic

Let’s say you were paying an extra $200 toward your debt each month. But this month, you’ve got to cover a surprise bill. Cool. Pay the minimums. Pause the snowball. Breathe. And recommit next month. Progress isn’t linear. Consistency is greater than perfection. 

 

🛠 4. Use Setbacks as Strategy

  • Lost income? Reassess your budget and eliminate non-essentials. 
  • Emergency expense? Rebuild your cushion, then resume snowballing. 
  • Behind on bills? Call creditors — many will work with you before it hits collections. 

5. Fuel Your Fire, Not Your Fear

Most people give up because they feel ashamed when things go wrong. Don’t. Shame is a thief. It keeps people in cycles. What you need is community, accountability, and clarity. Reach out. Talk to someone. Revisit your “why.” Your reason to become debt-free is stronger than any reason to quit. 

 

Final Words

Setbacks test your character, not your capability. You’re still in the fight. You’re still building freedom. And no matter how hard today feels, your future self is already cheering for you. 

 Emergency Plan Checklist  

Use this checklist to prepare yourself financially and emotionally for unexpected setbacks during your  debt-free journey. 

 • Build a starter emergency fund of $500–$1,000 as quickly as possible. 

 • List all essential monthly expenses (housing, food, utilities, transportation). 

 • Create a backup budget that reflects bare minimum living expenses.  

• Identify which bills can be deferred or adjusted if necessary (call service providers). 

 • Set up automatic alerts for account balances and payment due dates.  

• Save contact information for your lenders or creditors in case you need to negotiate.  

• Choose one trusted accountability partner or support system.  

• Keep a small emergency cash stash ($100–$200) at home for true emergencies.  

• Plan what steps you'll take if income is lost (side gigs, temp jobs, gig apps).  

• Revisit this checklist quarterly to stay prepared and empowered.  

Remember: setbacks are part of the journey. Preparation is power