“To Live Free you have to be Debt Free because the borrower is slave to the lender.”
The Borrower is slave to the lender.
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.” Romans 13:8
As of January 2026… I. Am. Officially. DEBT FREE!
No credit cards. No personal loans. No car payment hanging over my head. Just me, my bank account, and a whole lot of peace.
If you’ve been following my journey for the last couple years, you know it was messy, it was long, and there were definitely some ramen-noodle months… but we made it. And today I want to celebrate that win with you – and share exactly what I’m planning to do with all this extra money and mental space in 2026. Let’s go!”
I started this journey owing just over $30,000 .
Biggest culprits were credit card debt from lifestyle creep in my 20s, a 2017 Jeep Renegade, a car I bought when interest rates were insane.
I used a mix of the debt snowball (because quick wins kept me motivated) and throwing every side-hustle dollar I could at it.
Sold stuff on Facebook Marketplace, cut eating out from 4× a week to maybe once a month… you know the drill.
The last payment? December 30th, 2025. I cried happy tears at my desk in front of my computer. 😂
Biggest lesson I learned? Paying off debt isn’t just a money thing… it’s a mindset thing. Once your brain stops living in survival mode, everything changes.”
“Okay but here’s the exciting part.
Being debt free isn’t the finish line – it’s the starting line for the life I actually want.
So here are my big 2026 money & life goals now that the chains are off.”
Goal #1: Build a proper Grown-Up Emergency Fund (0–3 months)
Right now I have about 1 month of expenses saved. By end of March I want 6 full months sitting in a high-yield savings account.
Why? Because life still happens – and I never want to go back into debt because of a surprise car repair or medical bill again.
Goal #2: Aggressive Investing Begins
I’m opening the Roth IRA floodgates. Maxing it out if I can ($7,000+ for 2026 if limits stay similar).
Then I’ll start putting 15–20% of my income into taxable brokerage + index funds (probably 80/20 VTI/VXUS split or similar).
Future me is going to be very thankful.
Goal #3: Experience Fund / Life Fund
Yes, I’m finally giving myself permission to enjoy money!
I’m setting aside $200–300/month into a separate “Life Fund” for guilt-free fun:
- A trip to the Bahamas
- Movie tickets without panic
- Nice dinners with people I love
Because debt-free doesn’t mean joy-free.
Goal #4: Increase Income Streams
Debt free = more energy to hustle smarter, not harder.
Plans:
- Grow this channel (hello new subscribers! 👀)
- Launch one small digital product/course about my debt journey
- Maybe pick back up freelance work I actually enjoy
Goal: +$1,000/month extra by December 2026.
Goal #5: Big Future Dream – House Down Payment
Not rushing, but I’d love to put 20% down on a modest house/condo in the next 3–5 years.
Being debt free means I can actually save for it instead of just dreaming.
Bonus mindset shift:
I’m keeping the same zero-based budget habits… but now the extra money gets to go to future me instead of past me’s mistakes.
“So that’s it. Debt free at last… and 2026 is about building wealth, experiences, and security instead of just surviving.
If you’re still in the trenches – I see you. Keep going. The other side is so worth it.
If you’re already debt free – drop in the comments: What was your first big money move after you hit zero? I’m taking notes! 📝
Thank you so much for being here through the ugly, boring, and victorious parts of this journey. Couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support.
If this encouraged you, smash that like button, subscribe if you want to follow along with the next chapter, and I’ll see you in the very next one.
Here’s to a wealthy, peaceful, and fun 2026. We’ve got this. 💙
Love you guys. Bye!”
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