Climbing the Ladder to Financial Independence

Financial independence can mean different things to different people. Some may view it as owning a mansion and having a private jet that can take them anywhere they wish to go. However, in reality, you reach financial independence once you are able to live comfortably off your investments and savings, without any debt whatsoever. Read on to discover the critical steps you need to take to reach financial independence.

1. Create a plan – You will never achieve financial independence if you don’t have a plan in place. Before you get started with your plan, you need to get a grip on what financial independence means to you, so that you can set realistic goals throughout your journey.
2. Budget effectively – Budgeting is the process of measuring income, subtracting your expenses, and then determining how to use the difference to achieve your goals. Of course, accounting for living expenses is imperative. This is the essential first task in becoming financially independent.
3. Make sure you spend less than you earn – You would be shocked by how many people are spending more than what they earn. Largely, the reason for this is because they are not budgeting effectively. Therefore, the former part should help you with this. Another rule to follow is to put between 10 and 15 per cent of your gross income into investments or savings each week.
4. Build smart safety nets – A lot of people do not discuss insurance and emergency funds when it comes to their financial plan. However, building smart safety nets is a vital part of the picture.
5. Eliminate debt – Being debt-free is an important part of being financially independent. If you have any debt, be it credit card debt or a home loan, now is the time to pay it off. Getting rid of non-housing, revolving debt is one of the best ways to free up money so you can save and invest more effectively.
6. Think about your career – Quitting a career you love is not a necessity. However, if you don’t have steady income coming in, you are never going to achieve financial independence. It may be a good time to think about expanding your sources of work-related income.
7. Consider investments – Become financially independent through high return real estate and other investments. The best thing to do is seek advice from an independent financial advisor. They will ensure your portfolio is diverse and that you are investing at the right level of your attitude to risk.
8. Downsize – You need to evaluate what money, items, and property you require to live securely and happily. This is a necessity if you are to achieve financial independence, irrespective of your age. It may also ensure that you do not try to “Keep up with the Joneses,” so to speak.
9. Always know where you are at financially – Last but not least, it is important to know where you are at financially at all times. After all, situations change and not everything is going to be plain sailing, which is why flexible financial planning is a must.