I paid off $11,000 of credit card debt in 18 months while still traveling, shopping and living my life

* Reporter carried credit card debt for nearly a decade before paying it off. * Debt peaked at $11,310 due to lifestyle spending and lack of tracking. * Paid off $11k in under two years by budgeting, cutting back, and emergency savings. After nearly 10 years of carrying credit card debt, the reporter finally paid off her $11,310 balance in September 2026. The debt stemmed from everyday spending, travel, and poor tracking. She shifted to a strict budgeting approach, cutting dining and shopping costs, tracking every monthly statement, and automating payments plus emergency savings. A large vet bill in 2026 was covered by her emergency fund, avoiding new debt. Now debt-free, she feels more financially secure as she plans her future.