I liked what you had to say, partly because the issue you're addressing goes far beyond going car-free. You're talking about money, value and living within your means. That's something separate from car-free or car-light living, although going car-free or car-light can be an important component in living within your means.
There are costs involved with driving. Many costs. The obvious ones are the price of the car and the price of fuel. Both of those must be considered. But there are also costs such as licensing, insurance and registration, maintenance and repairs and parking. Even a free car comes with most of those costs. Too often, cars are seen as bringing freedom, but when that freedom means spending time at work to pay for the car-related costs, it loses its lustre.
You've made the transition to a car-free life because of the financial aspect. Great. What happens next, whether you remain car-free, whether you go car-light or whether you abandon your present lifestyle entirely, will depend on your attitude. Your financial situation will soon improve and at that point, your preferred transportation will become a matter of choice rather than economic necessity. If cycling and other car-free methods of transportation become enjoyable now, your choice will be quite different than if you see your present transportation as a way of coping with a present hardship.
Right now, you seem to be on the right road and it seems you've got a great attitude about the change you've made.