Top 10 Habits That Can Lead You To Financial Freedom

 Believe me, I've seen both sides.

1. I stopped trying to get get rich quick. Wasted a lot of time. And money. Decided getting rich slow was fine. As long as I made it. And realized the only one getting rich quick was the guy selling the books and courses. Not exactly my goal.
2. Learned before I leaped. My first voyage into investing cost me several thousand dollars. Not exactly the return on investment I was looking for. So before I jumped in again I educated myself. Still made mistakes. Just kept them manageable. Although, way less exciting.
3. Controlled my emotions. When the markets are going to hell it takes everything you have to not bail out. Except the ride is going to be a lot rougher outside the plane. Particularly the landing without a parachute. Caging my emotions helped me make better decisions. And whole lot less dumb ass ones.
4. Became bold when everyone was freaking. And cautious when everyone is toasting each other. The best investments I've made were in the darkest days. And the worst in the brightest. Going opposite everyone else is financially rewarding. However, a little lonely at cocktail parties.
5. Chilled out. Frenzied activity in investing is almost always rewarded with subpar results. And that's on a good day. I learned to find good investments. Invest slowly over time. Monitor them. And for the most part leave them alone to mature. And surprise they did. And my blood pressure reduced. Seems like a win win.
6. Used credit cards for convenience not financing. The interest rate, when calculated, is enormous. And frankly if we couldn't pay off the charge in a month then we didn't really need what we thought we did. And in many cases a month later couldn't remember why it was so damn important.
7. Bought depreciating assets for cash. Appreciating assets we financed. Sometimes reversed number two but never number one. To buy anything and on top of depreciation pay interest costs maybe isn't the classice definition of insanity but it could be listed. And almost guaranteed to keep you from financial freedom.
8. We turned off the TV. Literally, we stopped watching it. Why does that build financial freedom? Look at the above list. Every item is helped by turning off the TV. Including number 7. Because you won't realize all the cool expensive new things you just can't live happily without. Ignorance really is bliss.
9. I learned to enjoy journey. By nature I'm a saver. Well actually kinda cheap. My wife is a spender. So we help each other. I help her save and be careful. And she helps me enjoy some of it along the way. I came to a place I realized she was going to spend some of it as we went so I might as well join her. No regrets. We've had fun.
10. And most important I'm blessed to have someone to enjoy the journey with. My wife fills in my weaknesses. And I fill in hers. I think I got the better deal. But I'm not telling her. We make a great team. And life is so much more fun. Financial freedom is great. But only if you can share it with those you love.

Some of the top keys I've learned that have given us financial freedom.

Freedom to enjoy life with those we love.

Freedom to build meaning into life.

Freedom from the stress of worry about finances.

Freedom to enjoy the little things that bring richness.

And freedom from the freaking TV. That right there makes all the difference.

You can find financial freedom. It will usually show up where you least expect it.