I Owe The IRS $5,000 and Have $11,000 of Credit Card Debt — Now What?

This week’s listener, “Beth,” is stuck between tax debt and credit card debt—plus the anxiety that comes when you’re a little bit of a rebel, chasing that nonprofit art life immigrant parents never signed off on. (We see you, Beth!) Mandi shares lessons from her own contractor journey, breaks down why the IRS is no joke, and gets honest about how hard it is to face down those phone calls and official forms. You’ll hear: • Why tax debt takes priority (because the IRS does NOT play, y’all) • Smart ways to negotiate payment plans (and what “offer in compromise” means) • Real talk on avoiding credit card traps, balance transfers, and why budgeting apps like Rocket Money and Monarch can help you see the whole mess clearly • Which debt payoff method actually works for real people (snowball vs. avalanche, plus why momentum matters) • How to keep your sanity and your community close—because shame and overwhelm are not welcome on this show • Lifting each other up and why it’s ok to slow down, set boundaries, and put self-care first (even free self-care counts!)If you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just wish you weren’t facing those numbers alone, this is the episode for you. Write in, DM, or leave us a voice memo with your story—we’ll show up, judgment free. RSVP FOR MY FREE WEBINAR 9/25: How to Use AI To Master Your Money + Career In a Challenging Economy RESOURCES MENTIONED:  https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you IRS PHONE DETAILS:  Individuals800-829-10407 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Businesses800-829-49337 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time https://www.rocketmoney.com/ https://www.monarchmoney.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.