Mom was 50 when my Dad died. She got on a bus every weekday for years and rode 40 miles each morning to Madison. She earned a new degree and learned new skills to start her small business. It wasn't just a new livelihood. It was a new life.
Take free money. No matter how in debt you are if your employer offers a matching contribution on a 401(k) or other retirement vehicle you must sign up and contribute enough to get the maximum company match each year. Think of it as a bonus.