I wish I could tell you how to remember it from first principles, but I can’t do what I did was burn the A = L + (OE/Equity) accounting equation into my head. Then I remember that the when my bank balance goes up, the bank speaks of a credit in their accounts which is a debit to assets in my account. Then L + OE must be credit accounts.

Why are OE and L on the same side? Well to finance an asset, say a new car for your business, the company would either take on some debt (L) or you’d put in some of your own money (OE) in exchange for more ownership. I don’t know if that’s more confusing or less