Financial Independence
Escape the Rat Race

Financial independence is having the freedom to support yourself through your own
efforts. Here are seven fundamental habits that will help you achieve and maintain
financial independence.
1. Express Gratitude
Financial independence begins with gratitude. Set aside a daily period to offer a sincere
thank you for every blessing in your life. Include people, places, possessions, talents,
and memories. Offer gratitude for your future dreams as though they were already in
your possession.
Gratitude will allow you to attract the blessings you want. When they arrive, protect them
from the thieves that could rob you of your financial independence.
2. Liberate Your Future
Debts of the past are thieves of the future. If you want financial independence, live a
simple life style that does not create unnecessary personal debt. Living with class does
not require being extravagant. If you are conservative most of the time, you can be
extravagant at the right times.
Do not allow credit card companies to hold your future hostage. Take control. Seek
professional help to get rid of credit card debt that robs you of high monthly interest
payments. Borrowing is a tool that should produce a return on your investment, not cost
your future security.
3. Commit to Wellness
Your health is also an asset that you need to protect. Wellness allows you to manage
and enjoy financial independence. Get regular physical checkups and maintain a
sensible physician-approved exercise program. These can help to minimize illnesses
and maximize the rewards of a productive life.
Maintaining wellness requires an ongoing commitment. Another area of commitment
that is equally important to financial independence is one of personal financial
discipline.
4. Develop a Saving Discipline
A financially independent future requires saving, and saving requires discipline. As
credit card debt diminishes, savings can begin to increase. An emergency savings fund
of six to twelve months living expenses is a wise idea. However, you will want major
long-term savings plans for such goals as education and retirement.
Do not expect the government to take care of your financial future. If you want to remain
financially independent, take ultimate responsibility for every chapter of your financial life.
That responsibility begins with wise investing and respect for money.
5. Invest Wisely and Respect Money
My father taught me to have several investments that produce an ongoing, passive
income. This, he said, would allow me to remain independent if I were to become
physically disabled. These investments are like "feeding geese that lay golden eggs".
Passive income streams also provide additional capital to place in other financial
growth investments.
Respect for money is the beginning of saving and investing. Respect for a dollar begins
with respect for a penny. You will always have dollars if you take care of your pennies.
Even the smallest of assets and investments need protection.
6. Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
In the article, Ten Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs, I wrote that one of those traits was
making a commitment to protect the welfare of your family and loved ones. Ensuring the
safety of your financial assets is part of doing this.
Adequate insurance coverage for your life, health, and property is a wise investment.
You should also use professional legal, financial, and security services to help protect
your business, property, and all the things you have worked to acquire.
7. Design Your Financial Independence with Qualified Help
Seek qualified professionals to help you design your financial future. You do not need to
be a financial expert to become financially independent, but you must become financially
literate. Seek professional guidance from experts in financial planning, taxes, and
accounting. These people can work with you to help you realize your financial goals.
Begin today by seeking out professionals that can help you achieve your financial goals.
Become financially independent in your own mind. Express gratitude for the blessings
you will receive as if they were already in your possession. Avoid and eliminate
unnecessary personal debt, and live a healthy lifestyle. Save with discipline, invest
wisely, and respect your financial assets. Protect the assets you have worked to acquire,
and you can enjoy the financially independent lifestyle that you have envisioned.
© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach,
motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a
popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to
help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting
http://www.AchieveEzine.com
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