Life After Paying Off $71k Of Debt

From the beginning of my journey, I kept my dream and vision central, which helped me drive forward. I always fantasized about what it would feel like once I hit my goal. There were a few things I could predict. There would be less financial pressure. I would feel an overall sense of relief. These were reasons enough to keep going.

I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally freeing paying off a massive amount of debt would feel. As a result of paying off my debt, many of my financial life goals came into alignment.

1) My relationship and perception of debt changed dramatically.

I now feel uneasy and repulsed by the idea of going back into debt. After working hard for years to climb out of a financial hole, the last thing I think about it is taking out a loan.

2) I started to look at life and money through a different lens.

I see debt as a cage that kept me from a certain amount of financial freedom. When I reflect on my debt years, I can easily see the many opportunities I missed, because I had to make my debt payments a priority over my life long goals. To get a snapshot of how you relate to your money take my Free Money Habits Assessment.

3) I have a high criteria and strict boundaries around debt.

I no longer consider debt for things that do not appreciate in value. Therefore, it is easy for me to get a mortgage, but hard for me to imagine living with a car note again. When you analyze the ROI (return on investment) for material goods you begin to realize that having debt on a depreciating asset is not worth the burden.

4) I no longer wonder about my financial future.

When I was living with debt, I often was uncertain about my financial future. Retirement seemed difficult to imagine, because I always factored debt into the equation. If you ever run the numbers for retirement, factoring in credit card bills, car notes, and other debt, it is easy to get discouraged by the amount you should be investing every month. Now without debt, building a good retirement is much more achievable and less stressful.

5) I thought about money all the time.

While I still think about money, it does not consume my thoughts throughout the day. Now thinking about money is enjoyable. Paying off debt changed my emotional relationship with money. I enjoy educating people, planning for my financial future, and saving for big purchases. Now thinking about my money makes me smile.

6) I have an immense sense of pride.

Paying off debt can be a long struggle with unpredictable hurdles. Accomplishing a huge goal that many people can’t imagine starting, fills you with an immense sense of pride. When I first paid off my debt I didn’t realize how big it would seem to other people. I began to feel proud, as I shared my story with others. It was their reactions and questions that showed me that what I did was a badge of honor.

When you pay off a tremendous amount of debt, save cash for a big financial goal, or fix your credit score there are emotions you can’t predict. There are ups and downs, but you must keep pushing. I am here to tell you that no matter how hard the struggle and strife of accomplishing your main money goal, it is worth every moment of pain. In the end, the joy is hard to put in words. Learn more about my Budget Coaching Package, which is catered for you by putting your financial goals first.