#096 | Freedom is the ultimate financial goal, not retirement

May 10, 2021

Episode Summary:

 

In this week’s episode, we discuss the less-known path of financial freedom, what it is, why you might want it, and how to attain it.  The FIRE, or “financial independence retire early,” movement isn’t about retiring early to do nothing; it’s really about seeking financial freedom.  And financial freedom attained on many different levels gives you options in life.  And options and freedom bring with it a level of security and happiness.  Most people think they have to work until they are 65 or 70 because that’s what we’re all taught, but there are other paths in life.  We are pursuing those other paths, and the great news is almost anyone can put in place the simple pieces to go down the path to achieve financial freedom.  

 

Episode Notes:

 

What is financial freedom?

  • Financial Independence most simply is the idea that you’ve saved enough money that your money saved, passive income, dividends from money saved, etc., can last you the rest of your life, and you never need to work again. The math supporting this concept is often much lower than most people realize. 
  • Our podcast name and the community we’re a part of use the term FIRE, which stands for Financial Independence Retire Early; it’s not about retiring early; it’s about financial freedom.  The concept of retiring early turns some people off because they enjoy working and don’t want to retire, or the concept of not working seems lazy and unproductive. That’s great if you enjoy your job or working and want to do it forever.  Realize that could change at some point in your life.  
  • Financial freedom is having options. 
  • Financial freedom gives you the option of retiring early or doing whatever the f*ck you want.  And we want to retire from Corporate America one of these days, that’s no secret for both of us, but we won’t retire and do nothing.  Well, we might do nothing for a while to catch our breath.  We will retire from this type of life and lifestyle.  
  • It’s a path many people don’t realize is attainable. They never thought about it. They are raised thinking the world works only one way and don’t know there were alternative paths. 

 

Why might you want to seek financial freedom?

  • Financial freedom provides you with security, options, and ultimately happiness.
  • Having the freedom to do whatever you want is seriously better than any feeling in the world. You’re not held captive to any particular circumstance or situation in life.
  • It gives you a sense of confidence to be yourself and stay true to your ideals.  If something isn’t working for me, I have the ultimate freedom to walk away.  I have the freedom not to get caught up in politics at work and not have to step on other people to get to where I want to be.
  • You are buying your time back.  Time is the most scarce item in the world.  
  • It allows you to pursue your passions, even if those passions don’t bring in a certain size paycheck. And sometimes pursuing passions requires trying things out and failing at something before you’ll ever make any money from your passions. 
  • There are many types of financial freedom you can seek.  You can seek complete freedom, partial freedom of not needing to make a lot of money, or nothing at all. The industry has coined many types like Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, Coast FI, Slow FI, and even Barista FI. 

 

How can you seek financial freedom?

  • Live on less than you make.  This is always known as living below your means.  
  • Have a higher than average savings rate.  
  • Invest your savings early and often. 
  • Understand and trust the math.  Know what it costs you to live per year, and know your net worth.  
  • Work hard and take pride in your work!  Be a linchpin, as Seth Godin coined the term in his famous book.  For 99% of the world, there’s no “get rich quick” path to financial freedom.  

 

Top 3 takeaways:

  1. It’s not about retiring early; it’s about seeking and attaining financial freedom.  
  2. Financial freedom gives you the ultimate in security, options, and as a result, happiness.  
  3. Almost anyone can attain financial freedom with a bit of focus and follow-through.  

 

Show references:

 

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