Updated: September 24, 2014
Why do I want to achieve financial freedom?
It’s not because I want to live a super swank life with all the “bling” I can afford.
But as I’ve said in my life story – it’s because I simply wanted more TIME for myself and to do the things I love.
And this is a passion that I believe I share with Ryan, our guest blogger for today, who shares below how he plans to achieve his own financial freedom.
When you think of retirement, what comes to mind?
For me, retirement doesn’t mean palm trees, pina coladas or golf courses…
It means Freedom!
Freedom to do what I want, when I want, where I want.
Is that selfish? Probably a tad, but I think it really depends on your motivation.
I realize that I have to take care of myself before I can help others, and I’m truly interested in helping others in my life. If I’m broke, stuck in a 9-5 and purchasing a ton of consumer goods then I how can I fulfill that purpose to help other people, right?
So, as a recent college graduate I have decided on two primary goals:
#1 Achieve a mobile lifestyle before the age of 30.
As I write this post I’m 23 and ready to take on the world.
Recently, I bought a one way from Wisconsin to Hawaii to follow my passion of scuba diving while working to invest at a young age and pay down debts. I have some college debt, and some retirement savings, but I most importantly know how much I can live off of.
And currently I live in Honolulu for less that $1,000 a month!. Read my story and find out how I’m doing this so you can too!
To achieve a mobile lifestyle you must work backwards – first understanding what your expenses are, and then finding a way to make an income that can pay for those expenses.
That’s why I keep my expenses low. Working backwards has showed me that by making approximately $50,000 a year online as income would be enough to pay for my expenses.
Why $50,000? Because I need to pay about $12,000 a year in expenses I described above, and then I need to save for #2.
#2 Become financially free before the age of 40.
Building a mobile lifestyle through online income is something that is fairly stable, but not as stable as cash in the bank. I’d like to be worth at least $1 million before I reach the age of 40.
By working backwards I’m able to figure that I need to save, starting at age 23, $2,500 a month producing 9% interest to hit $1 million before the age of 40. (Do you want to calculate yours? Try the One Million Calculator here)
Now a lot of this is vague, but having these goals will at least set me in the right direction and encourage me to work hard to achieve my dreams and follow my passions, which in my case are shark diving and piano playing. I know, not exactly similar hobbies!
But, my money goals are not there to buy porsches or timeshares, they’re there to allow me freedom and time, so that I can do the things I enjoy most in life and have the ability to work from anywhere in the world.
How about you? What kind of things would you do if you had financial freedom?
Ryan is the guy behind Planting Dollars, a blog that talks about his own financial journey. He writes about personal finance, living a mobile lifestyle and starting small businesses there.
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Photo credit: abnelgonzalez and Barnaby
Hi Ryan,
$1,000 a month? in the US. Wow, you must be one frugal guy. 😀 But keeping expenses low is one way to achieve financial goals. Since income may fluctuate every now and then, especially if you’re no longer an employee, a low expense lifestyle certainly has its benefits.
I didn’t it possible to live on $1000 anywhere in the US… good for you!
I like your idea of living and independent lifestyle … and making $50K a year online is not exactly shabby (there are those of us who are still working on making our sporadic influx of cash a steady monthly event 🙂
I don’t think you’re the average sort of 23. Congratulations. I am sure that with this process and your determination you will be financially independent by 40 if not sooner.
Continuous success to you in all that you do……………valentina
Hey Mighty,
Yea, it’s not exactly luxury living, but if you enjoy things that are free… which for me are fitness, being with friends, and outdoor activities, it’s not so bad. It’s a lot easier to take risks with business or career if you have less “stuff” to pay for, so I like the freedom that living small gives me.
Thanks for the comment.
Financial Independence in a state of mind. I am financially independant right now although I work as a Pastor and do other things such a travel as a financial increase conference speaker.
Good for you, my friend.
All freedom is derived from economic freedom. You can never be free while any part of your financial life is in the hand of another, no matter how dependable or benevolent this master may seem.
i wish to have Financial Freedom in the next 5 years or so. i was able to establish a small internet retail store last year. i am hoping to gain enough profit from this store.
being financially free is a desire for most us Filipinos. there are opportunities around us waiting. leveraging knowledge to create wealth is possible. we just have to figure out how to put the pieces together. and that is where the challenge and creativity creating wealth comes in. but obviously the ultimate reward for that challenge is financial freedom.
Nice blog. Keep on.