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The following post is a contribution from My Money Design. My Money Design is a blog that is all about perfecting your “money design” – the way you think about, plan, and invest your money so that it will help make your life better and bring you closer to achieving your financial goals.
There are some days I wake up and know that I will rule the world. Not like in the way that an evil super-villain from a James Bond movie would. No, I’m talking about MY world; the way in which I see things.
I rise out of bed automatically wearing my super-hero cape. I walk with my head held high. I’m ready to take on the day with a sense of security and ease of mind. Today I can do anything.
The Path to Achieve Financial Freedom:
Where does all this confidence from? It comes from the groundwork I’ve built while trying to achieve financial freedom. I’m not completely there yet, but I know where I’m going and I see the golden city at the end of the road. I know it’s there waiting for me, and I’m doing everything I can to get there as soon as possible.
Knowing that I’m on this path leaves my mind liberated from the daily woes of money. I don’t worry about whether or not I’ll be able to cover the bills. I don’t worry about having enough money to retire some day. These things are certain for me because I have a budget, motivation, and a carefully laid out plan that is set in motion.
My plan (my money design) is a living, breathing organism for achieving financial freedom that requires minimal maintenance by me. It’s like having a hive full of tireless worker bees making honey for me at all times of the day.
I know which types of investments give me the best return. I know what the IRA and 401k withdrawal rules are for when I’ll need my money back. And most importantly I’ve structured these investments so that I’ll be able to retire early some day.
There is nothing magical or special about what I’ve done. You can find out all this information by yourself from reading the books and blogs of successful people who have actually done it.
Achieving financial stability is one of the single most important things you can do for your life and family. When you put your money to work so that it automatically generates more, then you’ve got something that only the top few percent of our society gets to experience. That’s a freedom that no one can deny you and no employer can take away from you. As long as you want it bad enough, you’ll find the answers that will let everything else will fall into place.
If You Want Control, Then Learn to Control Yourself First:
Perhaps it’s just the “man” in me, but there’s something about wanting to have control. It’s not necessarily that I want to be in command over other people or things. You can try, but those aren’t things you can generally have power over.
If you want to control something, control yourself. Have discipline. Get your priorities and finances in line.
Have control over your thoughts, your actions, and your well-being. Know that your decisions will result in success, your ideas will yield dividends, and you will be able to maneuver through adversity with the grace of a ninja who makes it look so effortless.
When you’ve got a money design, you’ve got a layer of protective armor that no one else can see. Your resources are diversified. Your plans are adaptable. You and only you can sabotage your efforts.
None of us can really control what will happen in the lives of others. All we can really do is control what we do and our dependency on external stimuli to maintain it. Remove the things that bind us like a need to have a job or a need to seek approval, and you gain the ability to do whatever your heart desires without financial consequence.
True wealth can only be measured by how much control we have over our lives. And time will be the currency that dictates whether or not we have been successful. Don’t submit to the conventional model. Do things for yourself and on your own terms. It’s time you put your money to work for you.
Readers – What motivates you to achieve financial freedom?
Good point and something I went over in my post today about having to answer to yourself in your mind. We all have decisions in life like you waking up early and being on top of the world to setting out to attain goals. Life at least for us is so much easier with the budget, the plan etc.. although sometimes bumpy our day is made up more of what we plan to do rather than worrying about things others might. It’s a work in progress as well but we are covering our bases little by little, our life, our choices. Self control, you bet! Great post mate.
Thanks CBB! You’ve definitely got the right idea. We might be able to control everything that happens to us. But as long as we do what we can do to minimize the effects of the things we do have control over, we’ll set ourselves up for the best possible position.
My Money Design recently posted…Niche Website Project Part 2 – The Unveiling
My drive to achieve financial freedom is so that my wife and I can make any financial choices we want and not worry about anything!
The College Investor recently posted…What Type of Investment Account Do I Open?
Same here! Once you remove financial consequence from your daily stimuli, you’ve truly then got a ticket to do what ever your heart desires.
My Money Design recently posted…Niche Website Project Part 2 – The Unveiling
Nice post MMD! What motivated me about financial freedom is the freedom. The financial part of it is just the mean to the end. There is nothing wrong about wanting money, but I just want my money to give me freedom of choice. If I don’t want to work, or want to go part time in a field that pays poorly, the bills still get paid and the roof is still over my head. We all have a different design but in the end generally aim for that freedom.
Pauline recently posted…About money, time, and doing the right thing
Thanks Pauline and you make a great but very subtle point that I don’t think a lot of people capture: It’s not about the money! The money and how it makes its way to your pocket is just a tool. It’s your ticket out of the rat race. When people ask me why I care so much about finances and money, they assume it is because I am greedy. And I am greedy, but not for money. I’m greedy for my time and my ability to do with it as I please. I don’t want to work until I’m 80 only to realize that I lost all that time with my kids, my wife, my youth, etc. The money is just a means I will use to protect myself and get to that freedom quicker.
My Money Design recently posted…Niche Website Project Part 2 – The Unveiling
Good post MMD. I didn’t even read that it was a guest post and after a bit I thought it was an homage to you
As Dave Ramsey says: The biggest obstacle to being financially fit is the guy you see in the mirror when you shave. That guy can be a difficult foe to overcome.
Justin@TheFrugalPath recently posted…In Debt and Out of Ideas? Draw Your Purchases.
He is right. Unfortunately a lot of us like to blame others for our financial troubles (I didn’t get enough hours at work, there are no good jobs, etc). But the hard question is to look at yourself and ask what are YOU doing to make any of it better for yourself?
My Money Design recently posted…Niche Website Project Part 2 – The Unveiling
Financial freedom is indeed rare. So rare in fact, that I sometimes feel somewhat isolated for even trying. But I am ultra-fortunate to have my wife, our biz, and a bitchin’ online community. Thanks for a real straight-up post full of tasty tid-bits.
cj recently posted…Idle Achievements
Thanks CJ. There is indeed quite a wealth of knowledge out there within the online community and a lot of great examples of people actually accomplishing what you and I are trying to do. We are both lucky and savvy to recognize this while others turn a blind eye.
My Money Design recently posted…Niche Website Project Part 2 – The Unveiling
Thank you for this inspiring post! It is all about the freedom to do what you want when you want. (Go, Pauline!)
When I see our financial plans for the next few years (and long term, but we recently refocused on the next few and made some changes), I am giddy. CJ sings, “We’re rich! We’re rich!” Although by anyone’s standards, we are not rich, we feel rich because we are starting to feel free. Working toward it is liberating!
Thanks Tammy. It really is liberating. In the beginning it is hard to see progress. But after only a few short years and sticking to it, I get excited to see my efforts compounding and the light at the end of the tunnel.
My Money Design recently posted…Types of Investment Funds – Open-End and Closed-End Funds
I am motivated by hating working for the man. I want nothing more than to enjoy what time I have on this earth, and that doesn’t include working 9-5 at a job that I don’t like with people who frustrate me with their incompetence.
Glen @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted…Make Sure You Shop Around for Credit Cards
Amen to that! Life is too short to waste it away at the whims of others. I’m looking for an early exit door.
My Money Design recently posted…Types of Investment Funds – Open-End and Closed-End Funds
Great post, MMD! What motivates me? Flexibility. I’m not a traditional “retirement” kind of guy. I love what I do. However, gaining the ability to work where I want, when I want, on whatever I want is the ticket I’m tryin’ to punch.
AverageJoe recently posted…5 Great Stock Buying Tips To Practice Today
Joe! Thanks for finding my guest post. Who ever said you had to stop working when you retire? I’ve got a lot of big ideas for what I plan to do with my time. The only difference is that they will all be my ambitions rather than the delegated tasks of others. You’re an inspiration to still be doing what you love.
My Money Design recently posted…Types of Investment Funds – Open-End and Closed-End Funds
I don’t want to be bound by payments anymore. I’ve been paying them for most of my adult life, and I want to start paying only to myself and things that further financial independence. I’m much closer than I’ve ever been to achieving that. Maybe I need to pull out the cape to get over the last few milestones!
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted…What Do I Miss From My Days of Spending Too Much Money?
Something tells me you’ll be flying over those milestones sooner than you think!
My Money Design recently posted…Types of Investment Funds – Open-End and Closed-End Funds
Good post MMD! What motivates me is similar to you, in that I want greater control and greater flexibility to make decisions. It all boils down to having the freedom to do as my family pleases. That is not necessarily by amassing as much cash as I can, but by living wisely and having ample resources to not have to worry about things.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted…Taking the Plunge: Why I Hate Being Self-Employed
John, I think there is a lot we can learn from your example. I’m working on getting to a place that I can call free. However, you are somewhat already there with your self employment. That gives me a lot of hope that the world of 8 to 5 is just a stepping stone.
My Money Design recently posted…Types of Investment Funds – Open-End and Closed-End Funds
“Readers – What motivates you to achieve financial freedom?”
Two little girls at home — and I’m betting I’m not alone. We Only Do This Once indeed.
I liked the “protective armor” visual. That’s a great image to embed in the mind.
pat
Patrick recently posted…Beware of Convenience
Thanks Patrick! Yes, my kids and wife also motivate me too!
My Money Design recently posted…Types of Investment Funds – Open-End and Closed-End Funds
I love this! Ultimately I suppose I want the feeling of stability and security and never having to worry about money. Also, as I’m going to blog about next week, ensuring our own solid foundations so we can help family.
eemusings recently posted…Why travel abroad? Four reasons I want to travel the world…
That’s what I love about this topic. Everyone can find their own thing that they find important. Thanks!
My Money Design recently posted…Types of Investment Funds – Open-End and Closed-End Funds
An absolute truth – “If You Want Control, Then Learn to Control Yourself First”. A lot of people don’t always understand this. They assume there is a magic pill that will solve all their money woes. There is no easy answer. You have to learn to get your spending under control and set goals so you know how to best use your money. This is exactly how one becomes a financial superhero and I’m glad you’re using your power to spread the word.
Shannon @ The Heavy Purse recently posted…Meet Shannon Ryan: Financial Literacy Advocate
Great article! For those who have not yet started their own journey to attain financial freedom, awareness is a great word to ponder. Why do we need financial freedom in our lives? It is a good thing if you were born wealthy but how about for those who need to work hard to attain financial freedom? We need to know why we want change in our lives. What is your main reason for working hard? Is it for your love ones? Whatever the reason might be, use it to propel the desire to win.