What does financial freedom look like to you?
Getting clarity on what the term “financial freedom” means to you is the first step to figuring out where you want to go and how much you would like to get you there.
Once you have figured out the end goal, the rest can be fun and is not as hard as you might think.
What do the following words mean to you?
- Abundance
- Wealth
- Freedom
Take a few minutes to note down a few ideas about each word and see what comes up for you. You could write words or doodle, whichever feels more natural to you. The object here is to engage your brain, get clarity on what you want to achieve and to focus on your big WHY. This big why is your purpose for wanting financial freedom.
Your big WHY is important. It is what will get you out of bed when you don’t feel like it. It is your northern star, your guiding principle, your greater purpose. Write it down, at first it may seem like a jumble of words, but spend a little time refining it into one clear sentence. Put it somewhere you can see it and read it every day. It may change over time and that’s ok. When you have focus and intention on your big WHY, your brain will figure out a way to make it happen.
I recently calculated that it takes a minimum of 2,500 euro each month to keep my home ticking over, without needing to squeeze out the tea bags. I decided that by doubling that number, it would make me feel more relaxed and by trebling that number, it would bring a greater sense of freedom. By the way, you can never feel too free.
For me, financial freedom is more than just money coming in; it focuses on how that money comes in. I would prefer that money to come from unearned sources rather than earned sources.
Earned income comes from my physical labour. It means I have to get out of bed, do my hair, wear something other than my pyjamas, make myself look presentable and hurl myself out the door to do some work.
There are two ways to make money. You can work for your money or you can put your money to work for you.
Unearned or passive income comes from multiple alternative sources instead of paid employment. The possibilities for passive income are infinite. Think laterally, think creatively – don’t box yourself in here as it will have a direct impact on your ability to earn that passive income.
This is a sample taken from a chapter in the book Financial Freedom Explained. The chapter is written by Prudence Moneypenny.
To read the full chapter, pick up a copy from www.prudencemoneypenny.com/ffe or www.voilasuccess.com
