I reached Waynesboro, VA on Friday, May 3rd. This is all I'll be able to do for now, lest Sallie Mae sprout limbs and drag me off the trail herself.
As I sit on a bus headed to DC, it would be a slight misnomer to say I feel rejuvenated. More accurately, I feel sharpened; honed to an edge by the frigid nights and foggy mornings, by unsheltered cliffs and unyielding slopes, by the weight my shoulders bore and weight my mind was able to set aside. I feel tempered by the empathy individuals have for one another, knowing we all walk a path consisting of difficulty, meaning and reward.
I've come away with some new objectives for myself. More than anything else, I've come to find that limiting my burdens is the greatest boon to my personal freedom.
To that end, my main goals going forward are:
- Eliminating debt
- Reducing expenses
- Growing a passive income
Eliminating debt, while challenging, is rather simple. It's about making it a priority and facing it directly rather than hiding from it. It dovetails closely with the second focal point in that it helps to reduce expenses. How much money I make is important, certainly, but how much I spend is important as well.
That delta, the difference, is amount of money I can devote to goals one and three and spending less can grow that. Ultimately, free of debt, I'll be able to pursue more of my goals. I'll be able to take longer trips nationally and internationally. I'll be able to invest more as well.
This fall, I will begin completing a computer science degree at the University of Maryland University College. It's online and while not ideal, has a value in that it allows me to study anywhere and enables me to work remotely beyond.
That in particular is what I'm looking to do. I'd like to be able to work anywhere. If that's coding, web development or even some independent journalism.
I will also be building a livable van over the next year. Something with a bed and various support systems that once I've completed, will allow me to work while also doing some traveling with a relatively low cost of living.
5 years from now, on May 4th, 2024, I will be debt free.
I also want to say I appreciate anyone who has taken enough interest to read these. I welcome any feedback, even if you think I'm crazy.
