We too spent a few years to pay off credit cards and also all vehicles. It really is helpful not to have those payments. Still have a mortgage though.
It is such a relief to not have that debt. It stunk while paying it off, but now frees up a lot more of the income for other things. And it means we don't have to downsize other things quite as much.
But I still try to buy fabric/thread only on sale unless it is a specific thing needed for a specific (current) project.