Out of Bondage

Less than an hour ago I completed my last final exam, for my last semester of college. Yesterday I attended my last lecture class in personal finance and we were discussing debt and my professor spoke about the bondage that comes along with being in debt. Of course there are things in our lives in which we will need to go in debt - cars, homes, education. These, in my opinion, are okay for debt (unless you're buying yourself a $100k sports car). He mentioned that we will probably be in debt for the next 20 or so years of our lives and once we are debt free, stay debt free, don't borrow money to go on lavish vacations and what not.

Then he spoke about what happens to a person when someone is debt free. This person's whole personality changes, they're happier, wears a smile more constantly, has more confidence etc. This is all because they know that no one can hurt them financially. They don't owe anything to anyone. They are essentially "free", free from bondage, free from debt, just pure freedom. With years are paying off money owed and paying that last payment of debt is a significant relief. 

So why do I write about this. Because as I completed my last final, took my final steps as a student at BYU-Idaho I became debt free. Each time I went to class was paying off a piece of debt and now that I have finally finished my last paper, my last exam, my last payment of college, I feel like I'm debt free after all my payments of classes. I can see better, smell better, and finally live better. 

This is how I really feel...

Good-bye BYU-Idaho

After 1,460 days of sleepless nights, endless homework, and countless lectures, I'll be ending my college experience here at BYU-Idaho in just 13 days.



I chose to attend BYU-Idaho right after high school in 2005 because of one reason - my sister. Yes, my sister and I are close and she attended BYU-Idaho which meant that I would follow suit and apply for this university too. In fact, it was the only university I applied to.

I hopped on the airplane and flew to little town of Rexburg, ID with one bag, yes, ONE bag! I got there and so many others were unloading from a trailers and trucks.



I started August 2005 and majored in Mathematics. I picked it because I could do it, then after that semester I realized that I didn't like it. Actually, college was such a new experience for me I didn't know what I liked.



Since I started college in 2005 it wasn't all college. 



2006 - 2008 I served a mission for my church in Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe. I met tons of people there and had life changing experiences.



2008 I changed my major to Business Management.



Summer of 2008, I was a youth counselor for a program called Especially for Youth. Traveled to six different states in just six weeks.





Summer 2009 and 2010 I worked for a security company and again traveled to several other states.

 

2010 I became a rugby referee.



2011 I married my beautiful wife, Alyssa Smeda in Las Vegas. No, it wasn't a drive-thru wedding chapel :)



2012 my little bundle of joy came into our life. His name is Hudson.



Now, in only 13 days I will be graduating. I have accepted an offer to work for Wells Fargo starting only 10 days after I graduate.



Since 2005 I have traveled to 25 states, made some great friends, started a family, got a degree, and ready to start my career... finally!




Good-bye BYU-Idaho, Hello World!