When we move back to the states, which feels inevitable at this point, we'll need more cars and a house.
We're currently apartment dwellers but we'll probably settle down in the next decade, which will mean going into debt again.
Hubby and I have been together for 23 years. We've paid off all our debts at least four times now. But there's no way to live in the USA without debt of some kind. It's required for your credit score. The wealthiest Americans live almost entirely off of debts.
If you're over there thinking, "Gee, if I can just get out of debt, I'll be doing great!" then see if there's a free financial literacy class near you. Churches and libraries run them. Sometimes community colleges have cheap ones.
The American financial system is built on keeping you in debt.