Financial Freedom should be on the top 3 for any of a person’s goals to strive for. For not only does it make life a lot less complicate but it give you the flexibility to say “fuck it, now I can do whatever I want” and embrace that mindset. Below are my top 10 thoughts to it.
1. Get rid of debts & loans. Pay off credit cards, student loans etc. as a priority. You should never be in debt unless you buy a house/apartment.
2. Reduce your monthly spending to keep overheads low (rent, food, travel). Eliminate luxuries and materialistic spending. Cut out the recurrent billing (e.g. Netflix, Tinder) you’re paying or share a family account and let others pay for it (cheeky). Keep an eye out for hidden fees.
3. Build a savings account. Systematically and automatically put a percentage of your monthly income (20 % minimum) into a hard-to-touch savings account or stock index mutual fund. Keep it untouched for at least 10 years. Stocks are actually a great way to benefit from the wealth on the planet.
4. Educate yourself on the basics of investing and finance. No need for a Harvard MBA, it’s all online for free. Keep it simple – Wall Street like to confuse you intentionally.
5. Ignore flashy “Get Rich Quick” trends, schemes and fashionable investments. You’re in it for the long haul so ride out Bears and Bulls. Ignore short term market movements (very important). Trade less (others win by getting you to be active with your betting). It’s slow rather than sexy you’re after. Remember you want long term gains not short term pleasure.
6. Go work! Increase your monthly income through hard work. There are no short cuts. Build up a business where you get paid while you sleep (passive income) – dividend stocks are also great for that or get a job that earns you 90k+ (e.g. IT job).
7. Put your money into things that don’t depreciate. Buying an apartment you can then rent out is an example of asset appreciation. Buying a flashy car is not unless it is an old-timer. Cars, next to computers are usually one of the works investments one can make
8. Protect your assets and income. Diversify the income streams to stay calm in turbulent times. Divorces are expensive. Child support is expensive. Sign a marriage contract – she must understand.
9. Have a minimalist mindset. Value experiences over things. Freedom of time is the ultimate status symbol. Work out how much money you need per year to be free (it’s less than you think, especially outside Europe and US). Check out Ukraine or Venezuela– beautiful girls there too.
10. There is no early retirement at 65 and putting your feet up. You need to work, you need projects, you need to be active, for as long as possible. When you love your work this is not a problem. Investing in your health
Lots of love. Daroughe