So you’re officially debt free? Have you stopped jumping up and down yet?

Finally being free of debt is an amazing feeling, but once you’ve arrived at that happy place, your journey is not done. There are a few other steps you’ll want to start taking so that you don’t end up in the debt mess again down the road. Here are 3 major things you’ll want to do once you’re debt free at last:

Save for Emergencies

You’ve certainly by now heard about the importance of having an emergency fund. This fund is the cushion that will help protect you from falling back down the debt hole if an emergency strikes. Once you’re done paying down debt, take those same payments and start paying yourself.

Aim to get 3-6 months worth of your salary saved in that emergency fund. That way, if some large expense comes up or you lose your job, you won’t have to rely on the credit card to save your skin.

In terms of where to keep it, just make sure it’s in a savings account that’s earning interest (i.e. Ally or Capitol One 360).

Don’t Throw Out Your Credit Cards

When you’re finally debt free, you may feel like chopping your credit cards to bits and tossing them in the air. But resist that urge. Just because credit cards may have gotten you in trouble doesn’t mean that you should completely turn your back on them. Credit cards are an important tool to be used to increase your credit score. They just need to be used correctly, not abused. And the truth is that closing your credit cards could get you into more trouble.

Once you’re out of debt, use credit cards wisely by earning rewards on your purchases and paying your bill off in full each month. That way, you’re using your cards to earn more money and build your credit.

Invest

Now that you’re done being a slave to your money, it’s time to make your money work for you. Getting started with investing can be a bit daunting, but start small. You’ll first want to make sure you’re fully funding your 401K to get your retirement plan on track. Then, if you’re not sure where to begin, talk to a professional about your money. You can also check out excellent advice from investment pros.