Break Free from the Borrower’s Burden: Why Getting Out of Debt Unlocks Your Freedom
You dream of doing something bold.
Starting that business. Traveling more. Being more generous. Leaving your job. Living out your purpose, not just pushing through your paycheck. But every time you feel that spark, reality crashes in like a cold wave: “I’ve got bills to pay.” You open your banking app, stare at your balances, and remind yourself that Visa, Sallie Mae, and the car loan come first. Every decision—where you live, how you spend your time, even what job you stay in—is shaped by who you owe.
And slowly, you stop dreaming. Not because you don’t believe in yourself, but because debt has become your loudest motivator. You’re not chasing purpose—you’re chasing payments. And even though you’re working hard, you feel stuck in a loop: working to survive instead of working to build something meaningful.
Debt Feels Normal—But It’s Not Freedom
Debt limits your choices.
It changes how you show up in relationships, work, and life—not because you’re not capable, but because your money is already spoken for.
The borrower serves the lender. Not in chains—but in choices. The more debt you carry, the more control you give away. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’re carrying a weight that you were never meant to live under long-term.
Not All Debt Is Evil—But It Should Have a Purpose
Some debt, like a mortgage or student loan to earn a career-changing degree, can be strategic. But even then, it should be a tool, not a way of life. A means to an end—not the end itself. Debt is best when it’s leveraged with a plan to eliminate it. When we treat it like a permanent roommate, it robs us of peace, creativity, and margin.
Freedom Feels Better Than FOMO
Paying off debt might not feel flashy, but it’s powerful. It’s you taking back your time, your energy, your options. Because the less you owe, the more you own your future.
The Snowball Method: A Simple Way to Start
This strategy works because it gives you quick wins, which fuels your momentum.
Here’s how to do it:
- List all your debts from smallest to largest (ignore interest rates for now).
- Make minimum payments on everything—except the smallest one.
- Throw every extra dollar at the smallest debt until it’s gone.
- Once it’s paid off, roll that payment into the next smallest debt.
- Repeat until you’re debt-free.
Every time you knock one out, you build belief. You stop feeling stuck and start seeing change.
Other Simple Steps to Pay Off Debt and Stay Out
- Track your spending —You can’t fix what you won’t face. Know where your money goes.
- Build a budget —Give every dollar a job before you spend it.
- Use cash or debit for daily spending —Credit cards can feel invisible… until the bill shows up.
- Start an emergency fund —$500–$1,000 will keep you from going back to the credit card when life hits.
- Pick up a side hustle or sell unused items —Every extra dollar gets you one step closer.
- Celebrate each debt you pay off —Reward yourself (in cash, not credit).
Avoid Living to Pay Someone Back
Picture trying to run across a field while dragging a heavy backpack behind you. You’re fast. You’re strong. But the weight slows you down, steals your energy, and makes every step harder than it has to be. Now picture dropping the bag. The relief. The momentum. The freedom. That’s what getting out of debt feels like.
You don’t owe the rest of your life to your past purchases. You’re allowed to change your money story.
Pay off the debt—and take back your decisions.
Notes
“The borrower is slave to the lender.” – Proverbs 22:7 (NIV)
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” – Romans 13:8 (NIV)
