For the most part that’s been our plan. The only debt we’ve ever had was the mortgage and occasionally a modest car payment. We run them till they’re dead.
Was it tough to go without stuff? Absolutely but guess what, our kids are all grown and on their own. They are well adjusted and all are debt free except for a small amount two owe us for education.
My son is the only one with any debt, and that’s a mortgage and a few other things.
But he HATES being in debt and is working to pay it down as quickly as possible. He has learned that debt is not worth it. He hates it hanging over his head.