The Debt-Free Glow Up: 1,000 People Who Paid Off Debt Share What Got Better

New Accredited Debt Relief survey finds nine ways life improves after paying off debt, with 93% of respondents saying they feel more in control

CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- There's a glow up that comes with paying off debt. Many people who have done it say they're sleeping better, stressing less and saving again, and it doesn't stop there. A new Accredited Debt Relief survey found nine ways life got better after paying off debt, from peace of mind to relationships.

The two biggest changes were about control and confidence. Among 1,000 U.S. adults who have paid off at least $5,000 in unsecured debt, 93% feel more in control of their lives now that they're out of debt, with 62% strongly agreeing. Another 91% feel more confident in their ability to achieve major life goals, and 40% say they feel much more confident.

Nine Ways Life Got Better After Paying Off Debt

Paying off debt isn't just a financial milestone. For many, it's a turning point that brings greater confidence, less stress and improvements across multiple areas of life.

Survey respondents revealed nine ways their lives have improved after paying off debt:

Greater control and confidence

• 93% feel more in control of their lives
• 91% feel more confident in their ability to achieve major life goals

Less stress and better health

• 56% report less stress and anxiety
• 41% are sleeping better
• 25% are prioritizing their health

More financial freedom

• 39% have started saving money for the first time in years

More room for life

• 28% are traveling more or participating in more recreational activities
• 19% are focusing more at work
• 18% say they are more engaged with loved ones

What Life in Debt Looked Like

Respondents also remember what carrying debt cost them outside their budget. Seven in 10 (71%) experienced at least one negative consequence while they were in debt, including lost sleep (41%) and avoiding their financial statements (29%).

Most Wish They'd Started Getting Out of Debt Sooner

Looking back, nearly nine in 10 (87%) wish they had recognized the signs and taken action sooner. It's easy to see why. With less stress, better sleep and money going into savings, respondents could finally recognize how much their debt had been costing them beyond their budget.

"Life really does get better when people pay off debt," said Bobbi Rebell, CFP®, CFT™, chief financial education advisor at Accredited Debt Relief. "It's a glow up that brightens so many parts of their lives. Debt creates anxiety and stress that can take up space in your mind even when you're not looking at the bill. Once it's paid off, that space opens up for your health, your goals and the people you care about. The relief is a weight lifted that allows you to refocus energy on financial wellness and better money habits going forward."

Knowing Your Options Sooner

Only 17% of respondents used a debt relief service to pay off their debt. Three in four (76%) say they didn't know about all the resources available to help them while they were in debt, which suggests awareness of options like debt relief may be part of the gap.

Debt relief is built for people whose minimum payments have become unaffordable: eligible balances are rolled into one lower monthly payment that targets the balance rather than the interest rate. Clients typically lower their eligible monthly payments by 40% or more, and most become debt-free in 24 to 48 months.

About the Survey

The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 U.S. adults who have incurred and paid off a minimum of $5,000 in unsecured debt. The survey was conducted in August 2026. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

About Bobbi Rebell

Bobbi Rebell, CFP®, CFT™, is chief financial education advisor at Accredited Debt Relief and one of the country's most recognized voices on money and parenting. A former global business news anchor and personal finance columnist at Thomson Reuters, she previously held journalist positions at CNBC, CNN and PBS before earning her CFP® certification and founding Financial Wellness Strategies. She is the author of "Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart" and "How to Be a Financial Grownup: Proven Advice from High Achievers on How to Live Your Dreams and Have Financial Freedom." She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a certificate in financial planning from New York University. At Accredited Debt Relief, she leads educational programming for clients working toward becoming debt-free.

About Accredited Debt Relief

Accredited Debt Relief is a leading debt consolidation company that has helped more than 1.3 million clients take meaningful steps toward getting out of debt. Over the course of its work, the company has supported clients in resolving more than $15 billion in debt.

Accredited Debt Relief is recognized for its client-first approach, earning multiple ConsumerAffairs Buyer's Choice Awards for Customer Service, Overall Process and Best Value. The company also maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, accreditation from the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) and an Excellent Trustpilot rating supported by thousands of five-star reviews.

SOURCE Accredited Debt Relief