What does it mean to be Free?

If you are reading this…

…you likely have access to clean water, an adequate food supply, and a police force that protects you from anarchy.  You have a place to sleep at night and the opportunity to obtain an education and get ahead in life.  In the simplest sense, you are “free”, and we should all be thankful for these basic necessities.

But’s that’s just the start. 

The freedom I’m talking about is a step above this.  It’s the freedom to do what you want in life without restrictions.  It’s having the ability to pursue your interests, hobbies, goals, and dreams without feeling trapped in the hamster wheel of a 40-year-long, oppressive, potentially unfulfilling job.

What do you really want out of life? 

Do you want to spend more time with your family?  Start a craft business that may not make any money?  Do you want to try your hand at being an amateur athlete for a year?  Maybe you want to spend time learning how to play a musical instrument or volunteer your time teaching a class at a community college?

These things are all possible

If you are bright enough or gifted enough to be able to monetize your passions, then you can do all of these things NOW.   However, for many of us, our passions will never make enough money to support us.  In that case, we have to put in the work FIRST.  We have to learn how to save, invest and be disciplined over many years to reach financial independence, the point where our investments make enough money to support us without having to work.  Once we attain financial independence, we can do whatever we want in life, regardless of whether it makes any money.

Aren’t you just referring to retirement?

Retirement typically means that you STOP working.  I am not advocating that you stop working when you reach financial independence.  Rather, I advocate that you do what you WANT to do, rather than what you HAVE to do.  Moreover, the typical retirement age is around 65.  I’m talking about reaching financial independence way before age 65, perhaps in the range of 40-55.  Most people will be able to achieve this by working hard, finding ways to increase their income, and being smart about how they spend and invest their money.  According to a great analysis by Mr. Money Mustache, if you start with a net worth of zero and are able to save 50% of your income (challenging but not impossible) for 15 years, you will attain financial independence.

If you want to be Free

Follow along and I will show you how to attain financial freedom.  It is not easy.  As with most things in life worth achieving, like a fitness goal or a promotion at work, it takes discipline and sacrifice.  I am not selling anything here.  I just want you to learn that it is possible to live the life you want without financial restrictions.

Remember, it’s not about the money; it’s about the freedom.