“I Know Where I’m At” – Navigating Life Debt-Free

You ever find yourself walking, driving, or biking in a new neighborhood—or even a new country—and suddenly think, “I know where I’m at”? This happened to me recently, deep in the Himalayan mountains in Nepal. It was my second solo trip on a CRF250, riding some of the toughest, most remote roads I’d ever encountered. I was riding after sunset, phone at 10%, and already drained from being hassled by the police in Pokhara. Kathmandu to Tatopani is about a 12-hour ride, and I’d definitely bitten off more than I could chew.

But after a few twists, turns, and bumps in the road, something clicked. I looked around and realized: I knew where I was, even though it was only my second time there. That moment of clarity gave me the confidence I didn’t know I had.

That’s what it’s like when you live debt-free. At first, everything feels unfamiliar. You face challenges, and it’s tempting to fall back on credit when things get tough. But over time, something shifts. One day, you find yourself in a familiar financial situation—the kind you’d usually handle with debt—and instead of reaching for a credit card, you pause and think, “I know where I’m at.”

This is growth. The second or third time you face a financial hurdle, you don’t panic. You don’t rely on debt. Instead, you step back, assess the situation, and find a way through—whether by saving, being patient, or getting creative. You’ve learned how to navigate life’s obstacles without borrowing from tomorrow.

Just like riding through the Himalayas and realizing you’ve got the route figured out, you start to trust yourself more. And when it clicks, when you realize you’ve got it, you can confidently say, “I know where I’m at.” That’s true freedom.