Paying off debt is more than just saving money and paying more than the minimum. It’s a lot about your mindset as well as motivation. I talk a lot about how earning more helped me pay down debt but I also did some interesting things to stay motivated that are a bit unconventional (like buy rewards on Groupon and create a debt-free dream list). Check out my latest post “5 Motivational Hacks to Pay Off Debt” on Our Debt Free Family.
If you’re new to my story, you can read the nitty-gritty details and timeline of how I paid off $81,000 in student loans over at Blogging Away Debt. In reality, it was probably closer to six figures with all of the interest I paid.
Given everything that is going on right now, I’m so happy to be debt-free. It’s one less thing to deal with and helps me focus on building savings and wealth, so I can protect myself and this uncertain future.
If you’re in debt, know that it’s possible to pay off debt. Sometimes you just need to know what’s possible to get inspired. Before I discovered personal finance blogs, I didn’t know it was possible as I never knew anyone who had paid off debt. I thought debt was the norm.
But it doesn’t have to be.
You can be unconventional, in a good way.
- Talking About Money and Mental Health - September 12, 2022
- Dear Debt, We’re Better Apart - June 27, 2022
- Announcing The Mental Health and Wealth Summit - May 4, 2021
3 comments
I love this, Melanie!! I always encourage my readers to “swim upstream.” I feel that debt is the norm for most people. I don’t know anyone personally who has conquered debt the way my husband and I have. For us, debt was never something we wanted hanging over our heads. It felt like bondage. As a result, we paid our first mortgage off in 13 months. We have been debt-free and mortgage free since we were 25. You are right. It IS possible. It’s OK to be unconventional. It’s good to swim upstream.
So, why don’t more people do it? I think it’s just like you said. They don’t know it’s possible!
Awesome article!!
That’s amazing! Congrats. Keep up the good work!
Agree with this! Having the right mindset is super important, otherwise the cycle of debt will just repeat itself