I recently spoke with a friend of mine who lives in Indiana. Their local economy has been heavily impacted by the economic slowdown. Recreational vehicle manufacturing is the top industry in their area. Since RVs typically get about 4 miles per gallon of gas, it now costs approximately $4 million to fill the tank up on a large RV. I am being only partly sarcastic.

Many of the RV manufacturers have laid off employees and reduced their work schedules. Several of the manufacturers have been forced to shut down and go out of business due to reduced demand. As one can imagine, it has created an enormous financial issue for the employees and the entire area. My friend has actually worked an average of one day per week for the past six months.

The great thing is that my friend is 100 percent debt free. Zero debt including the house. Instead of living it up while the RV industry was booming, his family directed their money toward purchasing financial freedom. So I was speaking with my friend and I asked him, “So how are you guys doing with the huge downtown in income?” His response surprised me and then it made me laugh out loud.

His response? “The fish don’t know that we are in a recession!” Now that is funny! His answer caught me off-guard, but it made me stop and think about all of the things in life that we can continue to enjoy even in the face of a recession.

Love. My family is there regardless of how crazy it gets. Fish, deer, quail, doves, and all birds in general really do not care about the recession.

My garden will still grow even during a recession. My faith is strengthened in the face of a trying time like recession. I can still run during a recession. There are incredible trails to be hiked and those trails just do not seem to care about the recession. The piano will still work even during a recession.

Because my friend took the time to focus on achieving true financial freedom during a time of blessing, he is able to continue to enjoy life even though his income has been seriously impacted. As a result, he can say, “The fish don’t know that we are in a recession.”

Can you say the same? If your income was reduced by 80 percent for a solid year, could you survive financially? When I asked myself this question in 2002, I did not like my answer! Jenn and I resolved to do something about it and change our answer.

Just a few years later, I am pumped to join my friend and say, “The fish don’t know that we are in a recession.”