A look at financial freedom

Everyone knows how to gain financial freedom the hard way, but what isn’t quite so evident, is how to gain financial freedom quickly, easily and with no risk i.e. effortlessly. However, societal structure is not designed for this, but rather to the contrary. Perhaps if all humans were wealthy no one would work. Even so, how does one gain financial freedom in 30 words or less? i.e. with a straight answer that doesn’t wander off into the world of rhetoric, or semantics.

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Since 30 words have already passed, the answer to that question should now be evident. That is to say, the answer to this question is, if financial freedom doesn’t already exist, chances are it can’t be found in 30 seconds or less. That’s a reality hurdle that can make attaining financial freedom that much more possible. Having said that, before explaining how to gain financial freedom, it is important to first define what financial freedom is as it is a loaded term that differs based on perception of what it is.

For one person financial freedom may be living a life of luxury without having to work, but for another it may simply mean being free of the concept of money altogether. The path toward financial freedom is different for both types of financial freedom. Being free of the idea of money altogether is actually harder to do because it is such a prevalent aspect of so many economic systems.

When effort is thought of as overcoming personal, cultural or economic friction, that effort is at least somewhat determined by the level of that friction. For example, one who does what comes naturally i.e. out of  un-manipulated personal choice while earning money doing so, can be thought to be making less effort than one who does something that earns money against his or her will. In such case, the former of the two makes less effort to gain financial freedom because the path to that financial freedom is more effortless. Thus, the first step toward gaining financial freedom effortlessly is to do what comes naturally.

For the person who seeks to avoid training his or her mind to acquire financial freedom, a more literal, and even more effortless notion of financial freedom is alluded to. The lottery winner almost fits this criterion, but is accompanied by the one key caveat of low probability. Thus, how to achieve financial freedom with high probability in addition to minimal effort is the question. The answer to this question is to find the financial opportunity that has high probability of success, is accessible, and requires little or no effort to implement.

Naturally, the next question in how to gain financial freedom might be, if financial opportunity is required, how does one find financial opportunity. Now the notion of financial freedom is gone, and instead replaced by the more accurate question of how to gain financial opportunity that pays. The easy answer is of course to look, but this would be followed up with the question, where does one look? The answer to this question varies, but can be quickly answered by saying, look where money is most easily acquired, but think in a way that is not designed for the macro-economic mass.

Obstacles to financial planning success

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To claim a single reason why some people fail to achieve financial freedom would be questionable, as semantically, we don't really know 'who' of the 'some' we are referring to. However, taken less literally, and more approximately, there are several reasons why some people fail to achieve financial freedom. These reasons include far more than closely correlated financial concepts such as arbitrage investing, effectively rolling over retirement plans, and taking advantage of available tax deductions.

Priorities

Some people fail to achieve financial freedom because priorities can compete among each other. For example, if one has a top priority of restoring a car, the cost of that restoration must be lower that than the top priority unless the top priority is amended to include restoring a car within a budget.

The example of automotive restoration accents the importance of integrating priorities so they do not conflict. Thus budgeting, and financial planning ideally go hand in hand with life goals so together they all improve and in the case of money, lead to financial freedom.

Skill

Growing money is a skill that more often than not requires adeptness at applying a certain amount of know how. Basic principles of money management are essential to achieving financial freedom, but more may be needed to achieve financial freedom. The inability to execute financial skill via  an effective financial plan is another reason why some people fail to achieve financial freedom.

In other words, people who fail to achieve financial freedom may benefit from a flexible, productive, intuitive and demonstrable financial plan. If the results of that financial plan cannot be measured as consistently moving toward financial freedom within an applicable time frame, then evidence of a strong financial plan is questionable.
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Adaptability

Adversity can have a dramatic affect on financial goals, even those with financial know how. For example, a successful financial manager who loses a job, a sudden unpredictable tragedy in life, or an error in what may otherwise be a good financial plan can all have a negative affect or result in set backs of the goal of financial freedom.

To deal with adversity it is good to be able to have risk tolerance, accept loss, and have financial resilience. Being resourceful, adapting to change and seeing opportunities in situations where there seems to be none are ways to work toward financial freedom during times of adversity.

Capacity

Different people have varying capacity to obtain financial freedom. Capacity includes skill, but is not limited to skill. Capacity to achieve anything requires focus, understanding, willingness, and circumstance. It represents the overall probability of achieving financial freedom.

Not having the capacity to achieve financial freedom is a major obstacle to that goal. Some people might not achieve financial freedom due to this. Capacity also includes things like leverage, low costs, career, birthright, and other measures of financial strength. Capacity is not unattainable in most circumstances but is ideally built before implementing a financial plan leading to financial success.

All the above reasons are rather around the point of direct cause and effect relationships that build wealth. That is to say, they are often one or more step removed from actual financial relationships such as consistently investing in an IRA or maintaining a budget and growth investing via a well-optimized financial portfolio. The above are reasons why people don't get to the point of being able to optimize their portfolios that are in some cases among the last steps to financial freedom.

Financial Freedom

Everyone knows how to gain financial freedom the hard way, but what isn’t quite so evident, is how to gain financial freedom quickly, easily and with no risk i.e. effortlessly. However, societal structure is not designed for this happened, but rather to the contrary. Perhaps if all humans were wealthy no one would work. Even so, how does one gain financial freedom in 30 words or less? i.e. with a straight answer that doesn’t wander off into the world of rhetoric, or semantics.

Since 30 words have already passed, the answer to that question should now be evident. That is to say, the answer to this question is, if financial freedom doesn’t already exist, chances are it can’t be found in 30 seconds or less. That’s a reality hurdle that can make attaining financial freedom that much more possible. Having said that, before explaining how to gain financial freedom, it is important to first define what financial freedom is as it is a loaded term that differs based on perception of what it is.

For one person financial freedom may be living a life of luxury without having to work, but for another it may simply mean being free of the concept of money altogether. The path toward financial freedom is different for both types of financial freedom. Being free of the idea of money altogether is actually harder to do because it is such a prevalent aspect of so many economic systems.

When effort is thought of as overcoming personal, cultural or economic friction, that effort is at least somewhat determined by the level of that friction. For example, one who does what comes naturally i.e. out of  un-manipulated personal choice while earning money doing so, can be thought to be making less effort than one who does something that earns money against his or her will. In such case, the former of the two makes less effort to gain financial freedom because the path to that financial freedom is more effortless. Thus, the first step toward gaining financial freedom effortlessly is to do what comes naturally.

For the person who seeks to avoid training his or her mind to acquire financial freedom, a more literal, and even more effortless notion of financial freedom is alluded to. The lottery winner almost fits this criterion, but is accompanied by the one key caveat of low probability. Thus, how to achieve financial freedom with high probability in addition to minimal effort is the question. The answer to this question is to find the financial opportunity that has high probability of success, is accessible, and requires little or no effort to implement.

Naturally, the next question in how to gain financial freedom might be, if financial opportunity is required, how does one find financial opportunity. Now the notion of financial freedom is gone, and instead replaced by the more accurate question of how to gain financial opportunity that pays. The easy answer is of course to look, but this would be followed up with the question, where does one look? The answer to this question varies, but can be quickly answered by saying, look where money is most easily acquired.

Defining Financial Freedom

Fiscal freedom may be considered by some to be a financial extension of the natural liberties afforded to human kind within the bounds of the law, as determined by such individual's town and country.

For persons not so enamored by money, financial freedom may simply mean not having to worry about money, rather than what it can make possible. Moreover, having too much wealth may actually become a burden of responsibility as managing great amounts of wealth could involve some legal, accounting and financial management headaches.

However, for those who do not feel burdened by excessive wealth, financial freedom may include a far more extensive set of requirements. Several key features similar to any kind of freedom can naturally be associated with financial freedom. A few such key features consist of the following:

• Choice: The freedom to choose different lifestyles and standards of living.
• Freedom from debt: Having no debt and/or the ability to pay off any debt as needed.
• Subjugation exempt: Not being subject to financial subjugation or control.

Aspects of financial freedom

Additionally, in terms of the various phases of a human's life and specifics of financial freedom, the above features are ideally expanded upon when one is financially free. These elements of financial freedom can involve family, goals, wishes, desires, security, health and other areas of life where finances may have an impact. Some of these facets of life which financial freedom may include are illustrated below:

• Material wealth: The ability to purchase many things relating to the material goods and services in life such as travel, standard of living, health care, style and entertainment.

• Fiscal/commercial capacity: Financial freedom includes the leverage to engage in the activity of commercial business of various kinds.

What financial freedom isn't

Money can't buy everything, and thus financial freedom cannot include things money cannot buy. For this reason it is necessary to indicate what financial freedom isn't for the purposes of delineating parameters of what it is. A few of things financial freedom is not per se are listed below:

• Emotional liberation: Not being tied down or burdened by emotional weight such as guilt, shame, fear, doubt etc.

• Religious choice: Having the freedom to choose the religion one believes in without persecution or political marginalization.

• Political freedom: Safe belief in and speech about differing political positions and/or opinion.

• Spiritual enlightenment: Knowledge and presence within a higher spiritual plane and possession of spiritual skill, insight and deliverance.

• Quality of life: Different from standard of living, quality of life may include the above freedoms where as standard of living may not.

There are many facets and areas of life financial freedom might extend its hand. It is also correct that money can't buy all the imagination conceives, thereby not necessarily enabling all forms of freedom. However, wealth can buy a great deal of what the world has available to consumers. Consequently, financial freedom may facilitate an easy, obstacle free, burden-less and entertaining life. In sum, financial freedom can be defined as the ability to self-define one's own destiny insofar as one's life can be determined by means of money.

Why Some People Fail to Achieve Financial Freedom

To claim a single reason why some people fail to achieve financial freedom would be questionable, as semantically, we don't really know 'who' of the 'some' we are referring to. However, taken less literally, and more approximately, there are several reasons why some people fail to achieve financial freedom. These reasons include far more than closely correlated financial concepts such as arbitrage investing, effectively rolling over retirement plans, and taking advantage of available tax deductions.
• Priorities
Some people fail to achieve financial freedom because priorities can compete among each other. For example, if one has a top priority of restoring a car, the cost of that restoration must be lower that than the top priority unless the top priority is amended to include restoring a car within a budget.
The example of automotive restoration accents the importance of integrating priorities so they do not conflict. Thus budgeting, and financial planning ideally go hand in hand with life goals so together they all improve and in the case of money, lead to financial freedom.
• Skill
Growing money is a skill that more often than not requires adeptness at applying a certain amount of know how. Basic principles of money management are essential to achieving financial freedom, but more may be needed to achieve financial freedom. The inability to execute financial skill via an effective financial plan is another reason why some people fail to achieve financial freedom.
In other words, people who fail to achieve financial freedom may benefit from a flexible, productive, intuitive and demonstrable financial plan. If the results of that financial plan cannot be measured as consistently moving toward financial freedom within an applicable time frame, then evidence of a strong financial plan is questionable.
• Adaptability
Adversity can have a dramatic affect on financial goals, even those with financial know how. For example, a successful financial manager who loses a job, a sudden unpredictable tragedy in life, or an error in what may otherwise be a good financial plan can all have a negative affect or result in set backs of the goal of financial freedom.
To deal with adversity it is good to be able to have risk tolerance, accept loss, and have financial resilience. Being resourceful, adapting to change and seeing opportunities in situations where there seems to be none are ways to work toward financial freedom during times of adversity.
• Capacity
Different people have varying capacity to obtain financial freedom. Capacity includes skill, but is not limited to skill. Capacity to achieve anything requires focus, understanding, willingness, and circumstance. It represents the overall probability of achieving financial freedom.
Not having the capacity to achieve financial freedom is a major obstacle to that goal. Some people might not achieve financial freedom due to this. Capacity also includes things like leverage, low costs, career, birthright, and other measures of financial strength. Capacity is not unattainable in most circumstances but is ideally built before implementing a financial plan leading to financial success.
All the above reasons are rather around the point of direct cause and effect relationships that build wealth. That is to say, they are often one or more step removed from actual financial relationships such as consistently investing in an IRA or maintaining a budget and growth investing via a well-optimized financial portfolio. The above are reasons why people don't get to the point of being able to optimize their portfolios that are in some cases among the last steps to financial freedom.