When most people hear the word ‘financially independent,’ they assume it is about money – yet, this is not entirely true. The real value of money lies in its ability to grant people the power to control time effectively, gradually achieving a level of independence.
Unspent funds can give you a clearer sense of control over what you can do and when you can do it. A small amount of wealth, for instance, can mean the ability to take a few days off work when sick without considerable expenses. A significant amount of wealth may mean the luxury of waiting for the best job post to appear after you have resigned or been made redundant. Twelve months’ emergency expenses may mean not being terrified of your employer or provide you with higher negotiation power over a future salary increase. Then, why not retire when you want to instead of when you need to? Using your money to buy time and options, i.e., enjoying the freedom to act on your own terms and conditions, is a rare sense that only a few tangible goods can be compared.
Reactance is the unpleasant feeling we all experience when pressured to accept a particular view or attitude. This is because we feel safer when we are in control of our personal life or unexpected situations. We like to feel we are in control.
Once we realize how true this statement is, we will understand how aligning our mentality of expenditure with life as we dream of it can render an incredible return. People can become happier regardless of origin, geographical position, education, and social or financial status. To that end, the most powerful ingredient of happiness is simple: control!
It is all about giving your life a chance to serve your own wishes and true purposes. Controlling what you want to do, how, where, when, and how long you can do it is more important than the prestige of your job or, even less, the height of your salary. It is the lifestyle that eventually leads to happiness.
Becoming financially independent is about having the freedom to act, minimizing stress, and being available for your loved ones and friends. It is not about the money itself; it is about controlling your time. It is about quality of life.