How Can I Avoid Getting Back Into Debt?

You’ve worked hard to pay down debt and build momentum, but now comes the part no one talks about enough—how to protect your progress. In this episode of Financially Confident Christian, Ralph unpacks why staying out of debt can be just as challenging as getting out, especially when unexpected expenses or old habits try to creep back in. With biblical wisdom and practical strategies, he walks you through how to build strong financial defenses rooted in contentment, stewardship, and intentional choices. Tune in if you’ve ever wondered how to avoid getting into debt again once you’ve finally found your footing.

Read today's blog article

Check out the full podcast episode here

From identifying personal debt triggers to establishing a “wait rule” for spending, Ralph offers simple, faith-centered tools that help you avoid slipping into familiar financial traps. You’ll also revisit the importance of your emergency fund, learn how to use cash or debit intentionally, and discover how the fruit of the Spirit, especially self-control, can become your greatest asset. If you’ve tasted freedom and want to stay there, this episode will help you protect your peace, your budget, and your God-given purpose.

Chapters:

• 00:10 - Overcoming Financial Fears
• 01:32 - Protecting Your Progress: Avoiding Debt Relapse
• 05:20 - Avoiding Unnecessary Debt: Building Strong Financial Defenses
• 06:19 - Building a Strong Financial Foundation
• 10:33 - Navigating Credit Wisely

Takeaways:

• Paying down debt is a big win, but staying out of debt is where it’s at.
• Temptations to borrow can sneak back in, so we need to guard our gains.
• Building strong habits and boundaries will help protect us from slipping back into debt.
• Identifying your debt triggers is crucial to avoiding future financial pitfalls.
• Using cash for flexible spending can keep us grounded and aware of our choices.

Links referenced:

• financiallyconfidentchristian.com/master

LISTEN NOW

WATCH NOW ON YOUTUBE (OUR VIDEO VERSION)

WATCH NOW ON RUMBLE (OUR VIDEO VERSION)

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Please share our Podcast with all your friends and family!

Submit your questions or ideas for future shows - email us at 

[e-mail] or leave a voicemail message on our podcast page

Leave A Voicemail Message

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/askralphmedia Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphpodcast.com for more information.

To schedule a...

Episode Transcript

Ralph (00:00):
You're making progress.
You're paying down your debt.
Maybe you even paid off a debt or two, andthat feeling, that feeling is incredible.
But is there this nagging fear inthe back of your mind that somehow
you'll slip back into those old habitsand end up right where you started?
Well, stick with me today becausewe're gonna explore how to protect

(00:21):
that freedom that you've gained.
Hey there.
Welcome back to your DailyFinancially Confident Christian.

(00:42):
I'm Ralph and it's truly inspiringto witness your commitment.
This is the show that helps you answerthat question, how can I become a
financially confident Christian?
We continue on this journeythrough our series of dealing
with the stress of money worries.
We spent some serious timetackling that existing debt.

(01:02):
We've strategized,we've found extra money.
And every day we'reworking to stay motivated.
And you're building powerfulmomentum towards debt freedom.
But here's the truth.
Getting out of debt is one challenge, butstaying outta debt, that's another, that

(01:23):
temptation to borrow can still be there.
And unexpected life events can try topush you right back into that debt cycle.
So today we're focusing on protectingyour progress and asking how can I
avoid getting back into debt onceI start getting free, or maybe
even while I'm still paying it off.

(01:44):
Now, maybe you've experienced this before.
You pay off a credit card andyou feel this wave of relief,
and then a few months later thatbalance starts creeping back up.
Or maybe you have to handle an unexpectedexpense with debt because your savings,
well, they just weren't quite enough yet.
And this cycle of getting outtadebt and then falling back in is

(02:06):
incredibly frustrating and it'sa major struggle and I've, I've
been there, right there with you.
And truth is, it can leadto deep discouragement.
It can reinforce feelings of financialfailure and make you question.
If lasting freedom is even possiblefor you, and this stress comes

(02:29):
from that fear of undoing your hardwork and feeling trapped in a loop
that you just can't seem to escape.
But here's the thing, Stayingout of debt, just like getting
out, requires intentionality.
It requires discipline, and oftenit requires delayed gratification.

(02:52):
It's not just about willpower,it's about building habits and
putting safeguards in place.
and the Bible gives uswisdom on avoiding debt.
Look at the book of Proverbs,chapter 22, verses 26 and 27.
It warns against co-signing for otherssaying this, do not be one who pats on
wrists or one who vouches for debts.

(03:16):
If you lack the means to pay, your verybed will be snatched from under you.
Now, that's harsh, but weneed to heed that warning, and
this highlights that seriousconsequences of taking on financial
obligations that you can't cover.
And more broadly, the principleextends to personal debt, living

(03:39):
within your means and beingcontent with what you already have.
It's a powerful way to avoid that needor that desire to borrow unnecessarily.
Continuing on in scripture, self-controlis listed as a fruit of the spirit.
Look at the book of Galatianschapter five, verses 22 and 23.

(04:01):
I don't have time to cover that today, butI'm gonna encourage you to read it because
this is a key quality that God helps usdevelop to help us manage our desires.
Truly make wise choices with our money.
Avoiding that lure of instantgratification through debt,

(04:21):
and I want you to hear this.
Avoiding new debt is anact of wise stewardship.
It's protecting your future peace andit's honoring God with your resources.
Why?
Because you're relying on hisprovision and your diligent planning,
not relying on those lenders.

(04:41):
So what can we do?
How do you build those strong defensesto prevent new debt from derailing
your progress and bringing back thatstress that you work so hard to break
and listen, if you've been in debt, youremember that stress all too well, I bet.
Well, the single essential solutionis to develop conscious habits and

(05:03):
establish clear boundaries around yourspending that eliminate that need.
Maybe more importantly, the temptationto take on unnecessary new debt.
And this means being proactiveabout preventing debt before
it even has a chance to start.
So, okay, here's your one actionstep for today, specifically focused

(05:24):
on avoiding unnecessary new debt.
To start, I wanna start by askingyou to identify your debt triggers.
You need to think honestly about whyyou've taken on debt in the past, or
maybe it's right now you're taking it on.
Ask yourself, was it unexpected expenses?

(05:45):
Is that impulse buying thatyou've worked so hard to curb?
Is it wanting things youcouldn't afford right now?
Or maybe just peer pressure and seeidentifying your one or two biggest
triggers can help you on this process.
Next thing, it's time to implementthe wait rule or for non-essentials

(06:06):
or what I've called that big pause.
So for any non-essential purchase over aspecific amount that you set, you pick it.
For example, maybe for you it's$25 or $50 or maybe a hundred
dollars, whatever you decide.
Then you're gonna implement whatI call a mandatory waiting period,
like 24 hours or 36 hours, or maybeeven four to eight hours, or for you.

(06:28):
Maybe it even needs to be a week andyou just pause and you don't spend.
And then if you still needand can truly afford it, then
you can consider buying it.
'cause this will break that impulse cycle.
The next thing you need to dois prioritize strengthening your
emergency fund because maybe foryou it's those emergency expenses.

(06:50):
So I'm going to encourage you torevisit your emergency fund goal.
We covered that in episode 1 54, andmake a commitment again, or maybe
a recommitment to building it upbecause listen, a solid emergency
fund and ideally, like I talked aboutin the show, three to six months
of essential expense is your bestdefense against those unexpected

(07:12):
costs forcing you back into debt.
So I want to encourage you today, make abuilding this a priority in your budget.
Then finally, one of the things that Ithink you can do is use cash or debit
for those flexible spending items.
So for variable spending categories whereyou tend to overspend or you find yourself

(07:34):
making those impulse buys like diningout or maybe entertainment or just that
personal spending, I'm gonna encourageyou to try using cash or even your debit
card instead of those credit cards.
' cause seeing the money leave your handor leave your bank account instantly, I
just believe that creates more awarenessthan just using that credit card.

(07:56):
It's just too easy.
And now you might be askingRalph, why does this even help?
Well, here's why.
Because this single action directlyfights that struggle of falling back into
debt and losing your hard won progress.
It builds powerful habits of intentionalspending and delayed gratification.

(08:20):
And I truly believe it protectsyour emergency fund and your
budget giving you a strongerdefense against life's curve balls.
And listen, I play softballsometimes you get a curve ball.
This will help you withoutresorting back to borrowing again.
And it replaces that stress of that debtcycle that you work so hard to break
free, and it replaces it with the peace ofcontrolled spending and growing freedom.

(08:45):
Let's pray together now.
Father God, we just thank you forshowing us the path to financial freedom.
Lord, we confess that temptationto take on new debt is often
present, and that fear, Lord,of slipping back is real for us.
So, Lord, please strengthen ourself-control and help us to establish

(09:07):
wise boundaries around our spending, Lord.
And give us the discipline to usethat 'Wait Rule' and to prioritize
building our savings buffer.
Protect us from unnecessary debt.
And Lord, help us to live contentedlywithin the means that you provide.
Guide us in every spending decisionand we ask this in confidence.

(09:29):
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Preventing new debt is just asvital as paying off old debt.
If you really want long-term financialpeace, build those habits, set those
boundaries, and protect your freedom.
You are making smartchoices for your future.

(09:49):
And if avoiding new debt is achallenge you face, please share
this episode with someone elsewho might be facing it as well.
You can find resources and connectwith the show at our website that's at
financially confident christian.com.
And I have a special giftfor you on your journey.
For the first 100 listenerswho go to financially confident

(10:09):
christian.com/master, I'm gonnagive you a free copy of my book.
It's called Mastering Your Finances.
It's a quick, powerful read, designedas a starting point to help you break
that cycle of financial shame and stepinto confidence and step into freedom.
Again, go to financiallyconfident christian.com/master

(10:31):
to get you a free copy today.
Now, tomorrow we're gonna be talkingabout navigating the world of credit.
Whether you can use it wiselywithout falling into debt.
Again, you don't wanna miss it.
So make sure you join me and let's all goout there and be financially confident.
Christians, you can do this.

(10:51):
I have confidence in you.
Have confidence in yourself.
Stay financially savvy.
God bless you, and youhave a great day today.