Our Personal Story, What We Learned, and Why It Worked for Us
This might not be the traditional approach you hear from financial experts.
In fact, most guidance says: “Clear all debt before you invest.”
But for us, the decision to start investing while paying down debt felt right. We didn’t invest huge amounts, just small, consistent amounts that helped us build habits, knowledge, and momentum for the future.
Everyone’s journey is different, and this page simply shares our experience and why the blended approach kept us motivated and progressing.
Why We Didn’t Wait Until We Were Fully Debt-Free
1. We Wanted To Build Knowledge Early
Starting early gave us hands-on experience with:
how investments rise and fall
how ETFs and index funds work
the emotional side of seeing your portfolio move
Instead of waiting years until we were debt-free, we learned by doing at a small scale, with amounts we were comfortable with.
It meant that when we became debt-free, we weren’t beginners. We already understood the basics.
2. We Wanted To Build Habits, Not Spend More Money
It’s easy for spare money to vanish into lifestyle upgrades.
A nicer takeaway here, a new gadget there, suddenly the “extra money” is gone.
By putting a small amount into investments from day one, we built the habit of:
saving regularly
prioritising long-term goals
reducing lifestyle inflation
This habit is still with us today.
3. It Gave Us Momentum
On the last day of our debt-free journey, something surprising happened:
We didn’t feel like we were “starting from zero.”
We already had:
investment accounts open
a plan in place
a small portfolio
confidence to increase contributions
This made the transition from debt-free to wealth-building much smoother.
The Emotional Side of Starting Early
Investing while clearing debt helped us stay motivated.
Debt repayment can feel slow and repetitive, but watching small investments grow added excitement.
Seeing progress in two areas at once gave us energy to keep going.
It wasn’t about chasing big returns; it was about staying engaged, learning, and avoiding burnout.
The Risk of Waiting Too Long
For some people, becoming debt-free can take years, even a decade or more.
Unexpected events, interest, or financial setbacks can stretch the timeline.
If you wait until the debt is completely gone before even learning about investing, you may end up starting later than planned.
Time is your biggest asset
The earlier you start investing, even tiny amounts, the more time you give compounding to work in your favour.
For us, starting early wasn’t about making big money, it was about:
building comfort with the process
understanding volatility
making investing feel normal
creating a long-term mindset
Even £10–£20 per month taught us lessons we still use today.
A Balanced Perspective: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Everyone’s situation is different.
For many people, focusing 100% on debt repayment is the right path. Especially with high-interest debt.
For others, mixing debt repayment with modest investing can:
build good financial habits
prevent lifestyle creep
encourage learning
make the long journey feel rewarding
The important thing is that the approach feels right for your circumstances, personality, and goals.
What We Learned From Doing It This Way
Here are the biggest takeaways we gained from blending both goals:
We became better long-term thinkers
We didn’t feel pressured to “start from scratch” once debt was gone
Small amounts taught us more than any book or video could
We learned how we personally react to market ups and downs
It kept us motivated through a long debt journey
Again, this is simply our experience. Not a recommendation. But it shaped our financial mindset forever.
What We Would Tell Our Past Selves
If we could go back to the beginning, we’d tell ourselves:
Start small: even tiny amounts count
Focus on learning, not returns
Don’t rush the debt-free journey
Stay disciplined and consistent
Keep money decisions simple
Celebrate every small win
The journey is long, but it’s worth it.
disclaimer
This page shares our personal story and experiences with debt repayment and investing.
It is for general information and inspiration only and should not be taken as financial advice.
Everyone’s financial situation is unique, and what worked for us may not work for you.
We are not affiliated with any investment platforms, financial institutions, or products mentioned.
Always do your own research and consider speaking with a qualified financial adviser before making financial decisions.
