A Perfectionist is chasing an illusion it doesn't exist in business
Ruble Chandy
Financial freedom is a term that is often thrown around, but its true meaning and the steps required to achieve it are often misunderstood. Many people dream of becoming financially free, envisioning a life where they no longer need to worry about money, where their investments work for them, and they can live comfortably. But what does it really take to get there? This blog will break down the three crucial steps toward financial freedom, showing you how to shift your focus from liabilities to assets, and ultimately achieve your financial goals.
One of the biggest obstacles to financial freedom is the tendency to invest in liabilities rather than assets. Liabilities are those expenses and investments that take money out of your pocket without generating income in return. Credit card debt, high-interest personal loans, and unnecessary consumer spending are all examples of liabilities that can quickly spiral out of control, putting you in a financial hole that is hard to escape from.
To put it into perspective, consider this: if you have a credit card with a 30% interest rate, you’re essentially paying the same annual return that one of the greatest investors of all time, Warren Buffett, might earn in a year. But instead of growing your wealth, you’re digging yourself deeper into debt. The first and most important step to achieving financial freedom is to reduce or eliminate these liabilities. By paying off high-interest debt, you stop the financial bleeding and free up resources that can be directed towards more productive investments.
Once you’ve managed to reduce your liabilities, the next step is to start investing in cash flow-generating assets. These are investments that put money in your pocket, such as rental properties, dividend-paying stocks, or businesses that generate consistent income.
Imagine owning a rental property that generates $100 in cash flow every month. This might not seem like much, but over time, as you reinvest this money into other assets—such as stocks in companies like Apple or Microsoft—you begin to create a cycle where your assets are creating more assets. This is the key to wealth building: letting your investments work for you, so that your money is earning more money.
What if you took this concept further? What if you let your assets continue to generate more assets, creating a compounding effect? This is the third step towards financial freedom. By allowing your investments to compound, you take advantage of one of the most powerful forces in finance—compound interest.
Albert Einstein once called compound interest the “eighth wonder of the world,” and for good reason. When you reinvest your earnings, your investment grows exponentially over time. The rich often get richer because they have assets that are compounding, while the poor remain trapped in a cycle of compounding liabilities. By following this principle, you can break free from financial struggles and move toward financial independence.
Achieving financial freedom is not an overnight process, but it is attainable if you follow these three key steps:
Finally, it’s important to recognize the stages of financial freedom: financial stability, financial confidence, and financial victory. Start by aiming for stability—covering your basic needs without worry. Then, work towards confidence, where you can comfortably live without needing to work. Ultimately, aim for financial victory, where you can live your dream life and still maintain your financial independence.
By focusing on reducing liabilities, investing in income-generating assets, and harnessing the power of compounding, you can transform your financial situation and move closer to true financial freedom. Remember, the journey begins with a single step—start today and keep moving forward.
Click here to watch the video: https://youtu.be/Of950voyX-Q?si=In3x9gN5uMwY1AlH
A Perfectionist is chasing an illusion it doesn't exist in business
Ruble Chandy