How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Special Thanks

Thank You!

Before beginning, I would like to say a special thanks to a few important people in my life who were instrumental to me writing this book.

The first would have to be my amazing wife of 9 years, Jackie, and her mom Laura. Without them, I would have never been able to conceive writing a book, let alone during the COVID-19 quarantine with 3 children all under the age of 7 years old! They both worked authentically hard to keep the distractions to a minimum and be a solid support system for me during this time. I am ever grateful for all you both have been able to accomplish with the home and the children while I was working on this book.

Secondly, I would like to thank YOU for purchasing this book. I am confident that, the contents of this book will reap great benefit, to those who read and apply the lessons and recommendations, in the best way possible, to their financial situation.

Please don’t forget to leave your positive review aswell.

Let’s jump in!

​Introduction

Financial freedom, at last, does not equal being a millionaire or even rich. It means that you are not enslaved anymore by credit or money. You can walk pretty much anywhere and buy whatever you want within your means by just signing for it. Some would-be buyers are not even asked any proof of income, pay stubs, etc. simply because they have perfect or near-perfect credit.

Lenders know that this person makes good on his promise to pay for things. This person is either not afraid to work for money or somehow was blessed with a good retirement, made good money and can manage it or inherited it, but didn’t squander it away. This all means this person is responsible for his management of money and can be trusted. Those who line the supermarket isles making a long line to buy the lotto at least have a dream of becoming millionaires and ending the financial noose around their neck. But even if they’re lucky enough to win the millions, will they be financially free? How many cases have you heard of people who have won the Lotto, squandered it all and wound up worse off than ever? Actually, from what I’ve read or heard, it’s most lotto winners.

Sure, it’s very nice to have millions in the bank and not have to worry about having to get up every day and go to work. Many sudden new millionaires, such as lottery winners take off right away, leaving their jobs, friends, and acquaintances behind. But after a year, maybe two, they begin to miss what they had. Even the burden of work doesn’t seem as bad anymore. Many retirees become free of financial stress with their retirement money and die not long after retiring. I know many who simply refuse to retire because they know the end would come soon.

Remember that to be truly financially free you will require putting energy into it. Money is condensed energy. No. I don’t mean work 15 hours a day till you drop. But oddly enough work keeps you happy and motivated and your morale high. The more creative you are with work, the better the ideas that you put to use and the more your product is in demand and people are willing to buy it from you, the more money you will have. Those who have trouble with even the thought of expending energy to work are financial slaves and resort to violations of how money is earned. Enjoy work, enjoy working for the sake of being productive and you’ll never be a slave to money, for you’ll always have more than enough than you need and you’ll be financially free.

So, financial freedom has two sides to it. It doesn’t belong to the non-industrious and the avoiders of work. It is not for those Wall street types with the golden parachutes. It belongs to those who value credit and value money enough to continue to honestly and industriously make it, for they never have to worry. They can always make more. For them, the financial world depends on how they keep spinning. They are truly financially free.

​Chapter 1: Understanding Financial Freedom

It is important to a lot of people or a vast majority of people that they can satisfy their needs or desires at whatever time it arises. However, many are not equipped with the mentality to actualize this desire; hence, the need for financial freedom. The meaning of financial freedom is subjective to different people and the various situation they find themselves. For a teenager, financial freedom is independence from parents; it is them not having to depend on the income or allowances given by the parents. Therefore, teenagers might regard themselves financially free if they have their income which funds their lifestyle irrespective of the benefits provided by the parents. To a retiree, it is the freedom to have the desired lifestyle without the stress of bankruptcy because of the retirement plans or investments that have been set in place. To some people, it the ability to perform in a role they admire or remain self-employed without strain on their finances.

However, financial freedom, in general, refers to a lifestyle void of the concern or domination of income. In clear terms, it refers to the ability or status of a person to provide or support a need in whatever circumstance. It is a position where you are settled financially; any unplanned or sudden expense will not cause a dent to your financial state. It refers to a state of being economically independent without having to depend on salaries from employment. It is also important