Financial freedom is often a dream but it can be achieved by those who work towards it. It represents security andoes not have to mean winning the lottery and buying whatever you want. Most would be content to own their own property and have no debt.Many long to be free of the money worries which plague everyone from time to time. The richest people worry about losing money, even if the majority worry about having enough. Knowing you can pay the bills in a timely fashion and have enough squirreled away for emergencies is a huge relief in itself and represents financial freedom.
The first way to have financial freedom is to be debt free. The only long term debt that ever really pays is for itself is your mortgage, as this buys you a home, as well as a house. You are living rent free whilst your house grows in value, and even if you hit a period of negative equity you will never lose out in the long run. Of course there will be the necessary maintenance costs to pay over the years, but compare that with a life of throwing rent money away, and having nothing to show for it except the worry of wondering how long the property landlord will extend the lease.
In order to find financial freedom you must concern yourself with your own finances and not care what the neighbors think. Just because they bought the latest car in the showroom doesn’t mean you need to. Think of it sensibly, they have just purchased something which has already depreciated in value, by the time they park it in their driveway. No doubt they bought it with a finance loan, so effectively they are paying more already in finance charges than the car is actually worth. Not very smart, and more about keeping up appearances then anything else. There is much more financial smarts in running a second hand car paid for in cash.
No one ever really needs a credit card if we get back to basics. Simply don’t buy what you can’t afford. On the other hand the arguments for them are convenience, and to establish a good credit record. Even if you don’t intend to use credit, having a good report does actually matter, as it gives you better rates on your insurance premiums, and anything you can save is worthwhile. So take a credit card but without fail pay off the full balance every month. Look for one which gives any offers associated with using it, such as cash backs or points towards things which are actually useful to you. You may as well have the benefits with none of the costs.
When you live smartly and stick to a budget, the first thing to do each pay day is pay yourself first, straight into a savings or investment account. As your savings grow you provide yourself with a sound financial cushion to lean on in leaner times. When your savings meet a set amount take a portion and make a prepayment on your mortgage if you have one, so that you pay less interest over the term. If you want to purchase something save up and pay for it with cash. You may find you don’t even want it anymore when you have enough saved.
Financial freedom ultimately comes with the freedom of not worrying about money, and the smartest way to do that is to budget and live within your means. Don’t run up loans or debts beyond your mortgage, and always save. It doesn’t mean you need to deprive yourself, just save for what you want. That way when you have something you really want, such as a vacation, the last thing on your mind is worrying about paying for it afterwards on your credit card. Instead you really can just take the moment and enjoy it.
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