Out of debt but out of sorts

Debtfreeforever

I know I should be incredibly happy that I'm debt free, only took me 15years .

And I'm very happy and so grateful and I do get those moments of pure elation, but did anyone else feel out of sorts at times?

I think it needs a bit of time to sink in and I'm just so worried that I may go back there...

I don't won't to sound like an ungrateful !!!!!!!, especially to those that are still in the midst of it....

middleclassbutpoor

I imagine it will be a natural feeling - you have just got to apply that focus you have had and apply it to now creating wealth for yourself and making money work for you to give you a peace of mind knowing you wont have to reach for credit when you want something.

Well done on your journey...

Debtfreeforever

Thank you middleclassbutpoor!

It!!!8217;s a feeling I!!!8217;m sure will pass, something to adjust to and the feeling of not wanting to go into debt again will help

-taff

You've had a goal for a long time and now you've done it.


After that, you didn't have another goal. Now you have to decide what your next one will be.


There's that saying, may all your dreams come true but one...Make another goal

MrsSave

A massive well done for becoming debt free. It's such an achievement.

I became debt free in February. Between then and the end of June I struggled. Instead of adding to any savings, by the end of June my accounts were pretty empty (though thankfully I didn't gain new debt). June scared me. I realised that I needed to get my head back into the budgeting mindset and still work hard at it, but save any extras instead of throw them at debts. July was a great month, and August has started in the same way.

I'm hoping the wobble was a short term thing, and the shock made me realise what I needed to do to move on.

beanielou

A great achievement.
It takes a while to get your head round it all.

sourcrates

Addmitidly I could not wait that long, that’s a hell of a long time, but I know what you mean, you get to the end, and it’s a bit of a “oh is that it” kinda feeling.

You have done well, just don’t expect the bells and whistles lol

theoretica

Sometimes I feel a bit flat in part because I don't feel as elated about something as I think I should, and its over, and what now?

tealady

Hi Debtfreeforever.
I know how you feel. For me it was partly because friends and family were not as excited as I was. Illogical I know however I got round it (in part) by having a "target" for the money (IYSWIM).
I have a standing order to two savings accounts which I use for specific purposes.
Then any money left at the end of each month (I am paid monthly) is what I call "fritter" money and I spend it on whatever I like.
I keep a list of things I want then I either buy off that list or put the fritter money aside till I have enough for an expensive item.

determined_new_ms

I think when you initially become DF it's a bit of an anti-climax. We were so focused on becoming DF that when we both made our final payments we were like "oh that's it"! No fanfare, no fireworks just moving on.

We then went through a period of buying things we had delayed because of debt payments taking all our disposable cash.

I think the real benefit to becoming df is the long term. 8 years on we are still df (we borrowed £5k from mil when we bought our house so that is what the DF status is in my sig - but we never really considered that as debt!). My partner did put £2k on a 0% cc when he bought his car and paid that off over a year. He did have the cash but chose to keep his savings & the int each month.

Things that we need/want (within reason) we get, we save up if it's a large amount and we use credit to our advantage. Every now and then I get a good feeling about the position we're in.

It's a slow burn for sure!

dionysia

Fifteen years is a long time and I think it's natural you would feel a bit lost now it's done! I'm a while away yet, but when I finish paying mine off I'm definitely planning on doing something to mark the occasion. Maybe you could cook a special meal and raise a glass to being debt-free, go somewhere that means something to you and sit for a while and reflect on your journey and how you want to manage your money in the future, plant a flower, or write a letter to yourself to open in a year? Obviously you will know what would feel meaningful for you, but just something to help you say goodbye to this chapter of your life and look ahead.