You know that feeling when you’re making progress on your debt, but it still feels like you’re moving at a snail’s pace? Like, “Yay, I paid off $50… only $49,950 to go!”
Well, here’s the thing—debt-free families don’t just focus on the finish line. They do things differently along the way to stay motivated and actually enjoy the process. And today, I’m spilling the secrets on what those habits are—so you can start using them too.
Because paying off debt doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending struggle. Ready to make it easier? Let’s do this!
Links for This Episode
- Check out these DIY Resources and Templates
- Download your FREE Family Budget Worksheet
- Join the Financial Fix Up Membership
Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #73: The Myth of the ‘Best Deal’—What Saves You Money?
- #70: Why Budgeting Feels Hard – And How to Make it Easier
- #67: How to Shop Smarter and Save More Every Week
- #20: 5 Simple Mistakes to Avoid While Paying Down Debt
Grab Your Financial Fix Up Planner Today
Here’s the deal: in order to achieve your long-term financial goals, you have to have a budget that works for you and your family. That means, getting super clear on your income, expenses, and total debt payoff amounts, so you can make any necessary changes and begin to see progress. That’s exactly what the Financial Fix Up Planner is designed to help you do. With step-by-step instructions to set up your budget, monthly challenges to keep you on your toes, menu planning resources, and space to reflect on your goals, you’ll have everything you need to pursue your dream of financial freedom. Sound like something you need? You can grab your copy today at lemonblessings.com/planner and take back control of your family finances. Once again that’s lemonblessings.com/planner for your copy of the Financial Fix Up Planner.
Debt-Free Families Follow These 5 Simple Rules—Do You?
Hey there, and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast! I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and today we’re diving into a little debt-free secret that most budgeting gurus won’t tell you.
Some families seem to get ahead financially, no matter what. And others? Well… they stay stuck in the same cycle of paycheck-to-paycheck stress.
And let me tell you—I’ve been in BOTH of those situations. I know what it’s like to feel like every dollar that comes in is already spoken for before it even hits your account. Like, Oh, hey, paycheck—bye paycheck! It was nice knowing you.
But I also know what it feels like to finally break free from that cycle. And it’s not because we won the lottery (believe me, I would’ve loved that option). It’s because we started doing money differently.
So today, I’m sharing five things debt-free families do differently—habits that you can start TODAY, even if money is tight.
Habit #1: They Pay Themselves First—Even When It Feels Impossible
Okay, let’s start with the big one. Debt-free families always pay themselves first.
Now, before you roll your eyes and say, Sarah, I barely have enough to pay the electric bill—what do you mean ‘pay myself first’? hear me out.
When my husband and I were first trying to get out of debt, every single penny went to bills. Savings? Pfft. That was for people who had extra money, right?
Wrong.
What we didn’t realize was that NOT saving anything was actually keeping us broke. Because every time an unexpected expense popped up—a car repair, a surprise medical bill, a broken appliance—we had NO cushion. We had to put it on a credit card, which just kept us in debt.
So we started small. I’m talking $5 a paycheck. Literally the cost of a fancy coffee. And guess what? It added up. Over time, we built up enough that when emergencies hit, we didn’t have to reach for the credit card.
Action Step:
Take whatever small amount you can—$5, $10, even $1—and put it into a savings account RIGHT when you get paid. If you never see it, you won’t miss it.
Habit #2: They Manage Money as a Team (Even When One Partner Hates Budgeting)
Let me tell you a little secret: In most relationships, one person loves tracking the budget, and the other person avoids it like a kid avoiding vegetables.
Guess which one I am? Yeah, I’m the budget nerd. My husband? Let’s just say if budgeting was a sport, he’d be sitting on the sidelines eating popcorn.
For YEARS, I tried to do it all myself. I had spreadsheets, color-coded expense trackers, and even fun little stickers to make it exciting. He was… less than excited.
But here’s the thing—you cannot get ahead financially if only ONE person is managing the money. Because what happens?
- One person is making all the financial decisions.
- The other person feels left out or disconnected from the goals.
- And eventually, resentment builds.
So instead of forcing my husband to love spreadsheets (not happening), we found a compromise. We started having “10-minute money check-ins” once a week. No Excel sheets, no calculators—just a simple chat over coffee.
I’d say, “Here’s where we are. Here’s the goal. Here’s what we need to do.” And guess what? That small change made a HUGE difference in how we handled money as a team.
Action Step:
If you have a partner, schedule a 10-minute money check-in this week. Make it casual, no pressure—just a simple “Hey, here’s where we are and what we’re working toward.”
Habit #3: They Plan for Fun Instead of Cutting It Completely
Debt-free families know that cutting ALL fun out of the budget is a one-way ticket to burnout.
Ask me how I know.
There was a time when I thought the only way to pay off debt was to go full “rice and beans” mode. No coffee, no takeout, no fun, just survival.
I lasted about three weeks before I cracked. One particularly stressful day, I found myself in the Starbucks drive-thru, thinking, “Just a small peppermint mocha… please don’t tell my budget.”
The reality is, if you completely deprive yourself, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Debt-free families don’t eliminate fun—they budget for it.
They might:
- Have a small “fun money” allowance each month.
- Swap out expensive outings for frugal traditions (like homemade pizza night instead of takeout).
- Use cash envelopes or prepaid cards to control entertainment spending.
Action Step:
Pick one fun thing your family loves and plan it WITHOUT using debt. Maybe it’s a DIY movie night, a picnic in the park, or using a rewards app to get free coffee.
Habit #4: They Think About Purchases in Terms of Time, Not Just Dollars
Debt-free families don’t just ask, “Can I afford this?” They ask, “How much of my life am I trading for this?”
Let’s do some math:
If you make $20 an hour and you want a $100 pair of shoes, that means you’re working five hours just for that one purchase.
Five hours of your life… for shoes. Are they worth it? Maybe. Maybe not. But when you think about money in terms of time, you make smarter choices.
Action Step:
Next time you’re about to buy something, ask yourself: “How many hours of my life is this costing me?” If it still feels worth it, go for it. If not… reconsider.
Habit #5: They Focus on Small Wins Instead of the Big Picture
Look, paying off debt is a LONG process. If you only focus on the giant number at the end, you’ll get discouraged fast.
Debt-free families celebrate every single milestone. And even if you’re on a tight budget, there are SO MANY little victories that deserve to be acknowledged.
🎉 Paid off a credit card? Celebrate! That’s one less monthly payment weighing you down.
🎉 Saved your first $500? Celebrate! That’s $500 standing between you and financial stress when an emergency happens.
🎉 Stuck to your meal plan instead of ordering takeout? Celebrate! You just saved $40+ (and maybe even avoided that post-takeout guilt).
🎉 Didn’t impulse-buy at Target this week? Girl, that’s a win. (Seriously. Walking past the dollar section without grabbing something deserves a gold medal.)
🎉 Put an extra $10 toward debt? Celebrate! Even small amounts add up, and every payment is progress.
🎉 Had an unexpected bill but didn’t put it on a credit card? Celebrate! That’s proof that your money habits are shifting.
Celebrating those small wins is so important because it shifts your focus from how far you still have to go to how much progress you’ve already made.
I mean, think about it—would you run a race if you never knew how far you’d gone? Of course not! You need milestones, checkpoints, and signs along the way to remind you:
“Hey, you’re doing this. You’re making progress. Keep going!”
Small wins lead to big results. So celebrate those wins.
Action Step:
This week write down ONE small money win you’ve had recently and celebrate it. It could be that you offer yourself a small treat as part of that celebration, but maybe – it’s simply just you taking a moment to be proud. Either way, get to celebrating!
Which Habit Will You Choose to Become Debt-Free?
So there you have it—five things debt-free families do differently. It’s not about making more money. It’s about shifting how you think about money.
So, my challenge for you this week is to pick ONE habit from today’s episode and start it this week. Trust me, those small changes can lead to big results – and isn’t that what we want?!
And if today’s episode resonated with you, would you take a moment to share it with a friend or leave a review? Not only does it make my day, but it also helps more families discover practical ways to take control of their finances and work toward their own version of financial freedom—whatever that looks like for them.
Whatever you decide, just know that I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time!
