The journey to becoming debt free has its ups and downs. Whether you’re budgeting for the first time to curb your spending or tackling credit card debt, paying down debt can get stressful. It’s normal to sometimes lack the motivation needed to achieve your financial goals. That's where these debt free quotes come in handy!
We could all use some inspiration at times, so read on for some great debt free quotes to get you through your journey of becoming debt free!
Why quotes about debt can be motivational
If you second guess yourself and your progress during your debt free journey, you’re not alone. The impacts of debt are almost as old as time! Quotes about paying debt have been around for years and are great motivators to keep you on track.
Debt free quotes are a great inspiration to start your journey
Want to live debt free, but can’t seem to find the inspiration to start getting rid of debt? These quotes about debt will inspire you to start heading towards becoming and staying debt free with tips and advice you can use every day.
Quotes about debt are simple affirmations to keep you inspired
Affirmations are great daily reminders to keep you inspired. As you pay off debt, use these quotes to give you the motivation to keep going.
Whether it’s finding the discipline to not use your credit card or the self-control to stick to your budget, these quotes will spark new energy in your journey.
Debt quotes remind us that becoming debt free is possible
There is a way to become debt free. Debt quotes remind us that lots of people have gone through the journey and many have succeeded. With quotes from famous actors, politicians, and more, becoming debt free is possible!
Quotes about debt to jump-start your journey
Need the motivation to start your debt free journey? These eye-opening quotes about debt can help shift your mindset and kickstart the journey to becoming debt free. (Be sure to check out our favorite money slogans after this article for more motivation!)
1. “You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.” - Dave Ramsey
This quote from popular financial guru Dave Ramsey is a great reminder of how important it is to control our finances. If we lack control of our money, it will eventually control the way we spend, putting us further into debt.
A great way to control your money is by establishing a budget. A budget helps you manage your spending to ensure you are tracking what comes in and what comes out after every paycheck. When you have a solid budget in place, you control how much you need to maintain your finances.
2. “If you buy things you don’t need, you will soon sell things you need.” - Warren Buffett
The Warren Buffet quote about debt is a great example of how frivolous spending can spiral out of control. Consider this quote when you are thinking of using your credit card to make a big purchase.
Everything you purchase using credit or a loan has a larger price that you will eventually have to pay back. Don’t sacrifice your future wealth and go further into debt for something you don’t need.
3. “Bad debt is sacrificing your future day needs for your present day desires.” - Suze Orman
When kickstarting your debt free journey, it’s good to remember this great Suze Orman quote about debt. Going into debt and making impulsive purchases or emotional purchases puts future financial plans on hold.
Digging out of a mountain of debt spent on clothes, shoes and other purchases keeps you from a future free of debt.
Remind yourself how important your future goals are before going into debt further on something you may desire right now.
4. “Debt is the worst poverty.” - Thomas Fuller
No one likes to struggle financially or live from paycheck to paycheck. Debt can sometimes feel like poverty, spiraling out of control before you know it.
This Thomas Fuller debt quote reminds us how close debt can feel to poverty, robbing you of your hard-earned money until there is none left to enjoy. Let this quote be a jumpstart for your debt free journey!
Insightful quotes about paying debt
These debt free quotes are universal tips anyone can use as advice to get out of debt. Try using the advice given in these quotes to help you achieve financial freedom.
5. “Never spend your money before you have earned it.’ - Thomas Jefferson
This quote from former American President Thomas Jefferson is a great lesson to only spend the money you have earned rather than go into debt.
Controlling your spending using a budget helps manage what you can spend based on what you make rather than using credit or other forms of debt.
6. “Pay off your debt first. Freedom from debt is worth more than any amount you can earn.” - Mark Cuban
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban said it best: being free of debt is worth more than any amount of money, so pay your debt off first.
This is an inspirational debt quote that teaches us that paying off debt lifts a weight off of your shoulders. Enjoying the freedom of being debt free is priceless, so be inspired to continue your journey using debt quotes like this.
7. “We say we value the legacy we leave the next generation and then saddle that generation with mountains of debt.” - Barack Obama
Former President Barack Obama made great strides over the course of his presidency. One of his major insights was about the debt crisis. Student loan debt in particular has crippled many Americans, and potentially still will for generations to come.
This quote about debt is inspiring and eye-opening, as many of us foresee generations of debt being passed down to us and our children. Let this quote inspire you to stop the generational curse of debt by aiming to be debt free.
8. “It’s not what you make but what you save that gets you out of debt.” - Suzanne Woods Fisher
Saving is an important part of the financial journey. When you save while also paying off debt, you have funds in case of emergency without sacrificing the progress you’ve made on your debt.
This Suzanne Woods Fisher quote teaches us to continue to save as much as we can while paying off debt to remain financially secure.
9. “Americanism: Using money you haven't earned to buy things you don't need to impress people you don't like." - Robert Quillen
Trying to keep up with your neighbors is a major problem, as Robert Quillen states in this quote. Spending money to keep up with the latest lifestyle trends, especially on social media, can drag you further into debt.
Be mindful of how the “influencer lifestyle” impacts your spending. Surround yourself with positive influences that will encourage you to spend more wisely and within your means.
Funny and entertaining debt quotes
The journey to becoming debt free can be lighthearted and fun too. These funny sayings show us entertaining and comical ways to look at debt.
10. “I wasn’t worth a cent two years ago, and now I owe two millions of dollars.” - Mark Twain
This hilarious Mark Twain debt free quote shows just how debt can mount up quickly. This quote also shows how debt impacts your overall net worth. Owing more money than you have leaves you poor and can be a struggle to get out of.
Continue your journey to becoming debt free so that you’re worth more than your liabilities.
11. “Ok. don’t panic. Don’t panic. It’s only a VISA bill. It’s a piece of paper; a few numbers. I mean, just how scary can a few numbers be?” - Sophie Kinsella
An excerpt from the book Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella makes for one hilarious debt quote. Although sarcastic, this quote illustrates how having a laid-back mindset about spending can cause debt to mount up very quickly.
Debt can add up over time if you aren’t focused on paying it off versus spending more. Take your debt journey seriously and avoid frivolous spending.
12. “The only man who sticks closer to you in adversity than a friend is a creditor.” – Unknown
Creditors will quickly become your best friend when you’re in need financially. Although tempting, be mindful of using credit when in a bind.
Avoid getting into debt further when you are struggling financially. Stick to your debt repayment plan and readjust your budget as needed to avoid using credit to stay afloat.
13. “If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.” - Earl Wilson
This Earl Wilson debt free quote is just as true as it is entertaining. From student loans to credit cards to car loans, companies are motivated to make money from you when you’re in debt to them – and they will be very persistent about it.
Missing payments hurts your credit and will have creditors banging down your door. Make sure to stay on top of your debt repayment plans.
There are many methods of debt repayment, from the avalanche method to the snowball method. Avoid penalties and paying more in interest and fees by being self-disciplined and paying your bills on time.
14. “Debt is normal. Be weird.” - Dave Ramsey
One of Dave Ramsey’s most famous quotes is a hilarious take on how to view yourself when on your debt free journey. Debt can seem like the norm, with 8 out of 10 Americans in some form of debt.
Debt might be common, but it doesn’t have to be that way for you. Break the cycle and “be weird” by striving to become debt free.
Debt free quotes to keep you inspired
The journey to becoming debt free can get difficult, especially when you must make sacrifices, like turning down dinner plans to save money or postponing a major purchase. These quotes about paying debt will inspire you to keep going when it gets tough.
15. “He who is quick to borrow, is slow to pay.” An old German proverb
Remember this quote when getting into debt. Getting into more debt can slow down your progress. Practice self-discipline and avoid spending and borrowing money to maintain your finances.
16. "Remember this: debt is a form of bondage. It is a financial termite." - Joseph B. Wirthlin
This Joseph B. Wirthlin debt quote is great to remember when the journey to becoming debt free gets difficult. Debt can keep you from financial freedom and eat away at your hard-earned money. Be inspired to live debt free so you can enjoy more of your money.
17. “If you’re thinking of debt, that’s what you’re going to attract.” - Bob Proctor
Getting and staying debt free is all about the right money mindset, and this Bob Proctor debt quote reminds us of that. Be mindful of focusing on spending money you don’t have.
Your mindset influences your focus. Attract wealth and become debt free by staying focused and keeping the big picture in mind.
18. “No man’s credit is as good as his money.” - John Dewey
This practical John Dewey debt free quote reminds us to prioritize money we have over using credit. Keep inspired during your debt free journey by only spending the money you do have.
Maintain your spending so you don’t have to use credit and pay off purchases in the long term. Your money will always be better than using credit.
19. “If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” - Dave Ramsey
Debt can keep you from living the life you want and deserve. This very popular saying from Dave Ramsey is the perfect debt free quote to keep you inspired.
When you limit your spending, stay focused on your goal to pay off debt, and sacrifice things you don’t need, you’ll be able to live a more financially secure and free life in the future. Stay focused on paying off debt so you can reap the rewards later!
20. “The most important investment you can make is in yourself.” - Warren Buffett
No investment is more important than the investment you make in yourself and your financial future. The journey to becoming debt free isn’t always easy, but the light at the end of the tunnel is a life where you can invest more into yourself and your family.
Remember this Warren Buffett quote during your debt free journey to inspire you to keep going so that you can start to focus on the important asset you have: yourself.
Debt free quotes can inspire you to continue your journey!
There are plenty of debt free quotes that will inspire you to start your journey. Know that it is possible to live life debt free and have financial freedom.
Creating and sticking to a budget, having a debt repayment plan, and keeping positive reinforcements like these debt quotes are essential to staying motivated to become debt free!
In addition to these quotes about debt, check out our favorite funny money quotes!
Don't forget Clever Girl Finance is here to help you with your debt payoff journey through our completely free courses and informative articles.
