We just paid off the last of our student loans and are officially debt-free!

 

We just pressed "Submit," and sent off the last payment for our student loans, making ourselves officially, completely, 100% debt-free.

That's a good feeling, let me tell you.

It's a good feeling because, while I know student loans are considered "good debt," they're still debt nonetheless. And when you are working a job that can end pretty much at any point and your husband is still trying to battle the job market himself for a full-time job, this is time for celebration.

It's also a celebration, because it's another milestone we've achieved during our short marriage already. I'm grateful for the lessons we're learning during this time in our marriage, when we have to adhere to a strict budget and get excited when we find free events or figure out how to make our pantry last a few more days until the new month starts. I'm grateful that we're learning to make decisions and sacrifices together and learning the value of saving and planning. I'm grateful that we're learning these lessons early, now while we're young and supple and resilient, we can bounce back from them with greater ease.

I know that as we grow older, we'll have more sacrifices to make. And at least now, we're not getting too comfortable in the DINK (double-income, no-kids) lifestyle that can make cutting down to one income or making room for children harder to stomach once you're used to the extra pocket change and indulgences. I'm very aware of how hard it can be to "go back" once those habits are ingrained.

While sometimes it would be nice to have a little bit more for this or for that, right now we are basking in the strides we have made and making it a point to give thanks our current state—however welcome or unwelcome it might be—and celebrating as we go along.

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18 comments:

  1. Congratulations!! That is such an accomplishment. We are working to pay off our student loans right now as well. We have hopefully 6 months or so to go!

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  2. Congrats!! That is something to be very proud of! We're hoping to be in that situation in the next few years. Hope you are doing something fun to celebrate!

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  3. Thanks, ladies! I hope you are both able to pay yours off, too. We're going to put the money we were paying now into build up our different savings accounts!

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  4. that is so awesome! I remember when we finally paid off our huge credit card debt left from college a couple years ago- it was the best feeling. Unfortunately, we both still have school loans lurking. Not forever though!

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  5. congratulations. i have debt as well. Mainly the 5ooo$ car loan I'm paying off. But in a couple of years that will be paid Off and I will have no more obligations except student loans that I don't have to worry about until I actually get one and until I finish school. I'm excited for you guys!! God Bless you honeY!

    ♥cheche

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  6. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Such a huge milestone!!!

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  7. Thanks so much! I really appreciate all your enthusiasm and excitement!!

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  8. Hooray!!! What an accomplishment, I can't wait for the day when I can share this news!

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  9. Congratulations!! It will be at least a decade until I get my loans from undergrad/law school paid off, but I can't wait for the day :)

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  10. Thanks so much for the support, ladies!! It really is so nice to have those little bills over and done with!

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  11. Ok. Jealous. Seriously so jealous that I actually had to pray (haha!)

    Ok. How'd you do it? I seriously think you need to do a post on HOW the h-e-double-hockey-sticks you DID IT!?!?!?!?! ;) Ok, still a little jealous. All joking aside, I am really so happy for you guys. We paid off both our cars and one credit card (shew!) Still working on the loans and one card. Time will tell. CONGRATS!!!!!

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  12. Ah, Holly. You are always so sweet!

    Maybe I will get around to posting how we did it but I think a lot of it was fortunately that neither of us ended up taking out very much loans--and that made it a lot easier!

    I'm proud of you for getting both your cars and a credit card paid off. Those are great strides and are going to serve you so well! Especially whenever little "specks" arrive!!

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  13. That's a great accomplishment!!!! I just wish I was as smart about money when I started out in marriage. But, I guess you live and learn and that is what we are doing now!
    :)

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  14. Yeah! It makes me excited when I think about people paying off their debt, like on dave ramsey when they yell "WE'RE DEBT FREE". We are also working on this. Our plan is a year(started in March), and we will be able to yell with you!

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  15. Hurray! Good for you! I can't wait for the day when we pay off our student loans. Actually, I'm also looking forward to the day when we will stop borrowing more. :)

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  16. yay :) great news, carmen!!!

    We should've hung out more in GR...I think we would've become good friends -- sometimes I feel like you're writing about my life! :)

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  17. Congrats! I can't wait for the day I can say that.

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