Paid in full.

We're debt free!!!!!!!!

(all of those exclamation marks are necessary)

As of today, Josh and I have officially paid off every debt that we owe.  And when we came home last night, some of the final "bills" were in our mailbox, saying this:

We started this journey three years ago when a friend told us about Dave Ramsey on Memorial Day weekend.

I'll write more about our journey later, but for today, here's a few insights from us:

What was the hardest part about getting out of debt?

Josh: The discipline to make myself do it.  We do what we're comfortable with and I had to get comfortable with doing uncomfortable things, like eating rice & beans.

Susan: Changing my lifestyle and not impulse spending.  When friends want to go out to eat, making the choice of not going out, or not ordering anything.  Or when I'm at the store, not buying extra things and making up excuses to get what I want.

Us at the beginning of our journey.

What was the debt you were most proud of paying off?

Josh: My keyboard- it was stupid to finance it.

Susan: Chase!  My first credit card was with Chase and it was the first card we paid off.  It felt so great!  Our interest rate was 30%!  While we were paying off another credit card, Chase bought that company out.  It was so disheartening, but it was also one of the last debt we paid off.  Twice as satisfying.

What's one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about or trying to pay off all their debt?

Josh: It's a 'way of life' change-- you have to change everything you're doing now.  Make a game of it and reward yourself for frugality.

Susan: Get radical.  Do a yard sale.  Sell your car.  Get an extra job. We did all of the above.  You've already spent the money, now you have to pay for it.  If you keep that mentality, then it's easier to keep going and not dig yourself in a deeper hole.

We're debt free!