The Biggest Mistake I Made After Paying Off Debt (And What I Wish I Knew)

After paying off over $52,000 in debt, we celebrated big—finishing Baby Step 2 (Dave Ramsey) was a huge accomplishment. We started with Baby Step 1, saving our $1,000 emergency fund, and worked our way through the process. We budgeted tightly, cut back on expenses, and focused on debt repayment like it was our full-time job. The sacrifices were worth it, and we did it! But here's the thing I wish we had done differently: we lost sight of the bigger picture.

We were so caught up in the "getting out of debt" win that we didn't stay focused on what was next. It felt so easy to get out of debt—we were on fire! But once that debt was gone, we lost our momentum. We didn’t keep that same tenacity when it came to tackling the next steps, like building up our emergency fund (Baby Step 3). We didn’t have a house yet, so we were tempted to jump ahead and buy one, thinking we were done. But I wish we had taken the time to slow down and follow the plan in order. Understanding the other baby steps better could’ve made a big difference. Oh well! here we are again..

So here’s the advice I have for anyone paying off debt, especially for my fellow women on this journey: celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and keep pushing forward. It’s exhausting. Trust me, I know—it’s tough to say no to friends, trips, and fun activities when you’re laser-focused on getting out of debt. But when you get to the other side, it’s not the finish line—it’s just one part of the journey. There’s always another step to take. Keep your eyes on the prize, stay focused, and move through each step with purpose and determination. If you lose sight of why you're doing this, it’ll feel meaningless. So keep going, stay diligent, and know that with each step, you’re moving closer to your goal!