Post by @brokemeal

A year and a half ago, I was told I had to leave the UK. I had a stable job, a home, my two cats, and a cloud kitchen I had built with my two best friends. I left thinking I’d be back in two months. Then my visa was refused again, and eventually I lost everything I had built. I moved to the UAE hoping to find a job. I kept getting rejected. Then, in December 2025, I got an email from Google. I was shortlisted for my dream job, and I genuinely thought, if I get this, everything will finally be okay. I asked ChatGPT where I could live cheaply and peacefully while preparing. Bro said Vietnam. So I went. I studied in airports, prepared every day and made it to the final stage. But I didn’t get the job! 😶‍🌫️ I was devastated. I had no job, and nothing to look forward to. Until one day I decided I needed something to keep me going. I want to see my cats again plus I’m a Sagittarius! I started documenting myself eating cheap while trying to pay off my $14,000 university loan. 180 days later, somehow, here we are. You watched me cook, backpack between different countries to survive, struggle, figure things out and slowly build something I never expected. You kept coming back, commenting and rooting for me. This little series became a reason to keep going. I started making money, paid for my own life, got my first dream brand deal with Toshiba. As of today, I have paid $5,000 of my $14,000 loan. I have $9,000 left to pay. And honestly, I can’t believe I’m saying that. 180 days ago, I didn’t know how I’d pay off one dollar. Now I have bigger dreams than ever, and hopefully I can reunite with my babies. 🤍 My Vietnam visa expired, so I’m currently in Malaysia. For Day 180, I made wagyu tofu laksa because I think I earned one little celebration. 😂 180 days completed. This is not the end! Tomorrow, Season 2 begins. Day 181-365: eating cheap to pay off the remaining $9,000. And I would love to use this platform to encourage anyone who’s going through similar situation to mine to join me, I’m here for you! Let’s pay off this student loan, it’s okay to not have your life together now! Just believe in yourself, no matter what! With love, Noona 🌿✨