Technical debt refers to the problems and inefficiencies in code that are known to need to be solved, but have not been addressed yet. It is a list of issues that hinder the development process, such as bugs, slow build times, and unreadable code. Paying off technical debt is essential to avoid "putting it on the credit card" mentality, where developers prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. Technical assets, on the other hand, are early problems solved through experience, which provide freedom and stability in coding without fear of regression. Investing in technical assets upfront can lead to greater efficiency and productivity in software development. To find valuable technical assets, it's crucial to adopt proven processes and strategies that have been effective across companies, ensuring a disciplined approach to managing debt and investing in assets.