I paid all my debts in 2008, and have been debt free for 5 years now. I’ve put off buying a house for precisely this reason.
You are very fortunate. I have 2 college age kids. One just graduated and the other has another year to go. Once they are both out of the house, I hope to use the savings to pay off much of the debt I acquired. I will not be debt free, but I will be somewhat unshackled.