How much debt have you paid off?: $180,000.
What was it for?: Mortgage and credit cards.
From deciding to become debt free to making the last payment, how long did it take you?: Eight years.
What age did you take on your first debt, and how old are you now?: 56. I am now 66.
Did you do it alone or as a family?: Both.
Did you pay off debt from your regular income, take on extra work, or change jobs to speed it up?: Regular income.
Did you sell anything or receive cash gifts to contribute towards your debt payoff?: No.
What people, books, websites, podcasts, budgeting tools, debt trackers and resources helped you?: Anything to do with FIRE, Mary Holm, The Happy Saver, Scott Pape.
Did you keep an emergency fund while you paid off debt? If so, how much?: $6,000.
Did you have any setbacks along the way, and how did you overcome them?: Not really.
What tips/hacks could you share?: Be very aware of the difference between needs and wants. Pay off extra whenever you can. Pay off the highest-interest debt first.
Was there a structure to your debt payoff? i.e. paying smallest to largest, or highest interest rate to lowest?: Yes, as above.
How did you stay motivated, and what was the most challenging part of paying off your debt?: Staying the course.
How did you celebrate making your final payment?: Champagne!
Was getting out of debt worth it, and what have you learned about yourself?: Yes. It allowed me to work part-time, e.g. I took September off work.
Will you ever go back into debt again?: No way, Josē!