Can You Really Achieve Financial Freedom, or Is It Just a Dream?

freedom

17 Nov

Everyone wants financial freedom. The ability to wake up whenever you want, work (or not work) on your terms, and never stress about money again.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

But is it actually possible, or is it just something we chase like a mirage in the desert – always just out of reach?

What Does Financial Freedom Even Mean?

For some, it means retiring early and never working another day in their lives. For others, it’s simply being able to quit a job they hate without panicking about the next pay cheque.

I used to think financial freedom meant being rich. The kind of rich where you fly first class and own multiple properties in places with “views.” The kind of rich where money flows in effortlessly, and you never have to think about it again.

But now? I see it differently.

Financial freedom isn’t about being rich. It’s about having choices. It’s about designing your life in a way that aligns with what you actually want – not what society tells you to want.

And it’s not an all-or-nothing goal – there are different levels of financial independence that lead to financial freedom.

The Different Levels of Financial Freedom

Most people think of financial freedom as one big goal, but it actually comes in stages:

Lean FI – You’ve saved enough to cover basic living expenses, but not luxuries.
Fat FI – You have enough to live comfortably with extras – travel, hobbies, the works.
Coast FI – You don’t need to save more because your investments will grow to sustain you later. For now, you just need enough to cover expenses.
Barista FI – You’re financially stable but choose to work part-time for extra security or health benefits.

Not everyone needs to be a millionaire to have freedom. Some people reach a level where they work by choice, not necessity – and that’s enough.

Why Financial Freedom Feels So Out of Reach

Most people assume financial freedom is reserved for lottery winners, tech founders, and finance bros who started investing at 18.

And honestly, it can feel impossible when you’re just trying to get by.

Wages don’t seem to keep up with inflation. Everything costs more, but salaries feel stagnant.
Life is expensive. Rent, groceries, bills, taxes – it’s like your pay cheque evaporates the second it arrives.
The traditional path feels outdated. Work 40+ years, save a little, retire at 65. But what if you don’t want to wait that long?
Psychological barriers – The fear of investing, the constant pressure to spend, the feeling that you’ll “never catch up.”

So, if you weren’t born into money and don’t want to become a corporate lifer, is financial freedom still possible?

The Myths and Misinformation About Financial Freedom

A lot of people want financial freedom, but misinformation holds them back.

Myth #1: You need a six-figure salary to achieve it.

Truth: Many people with average salaries reach financial independence through smart saving and investing.

Myth #2: It happens overnight.

Truth: Get-rich-quick schemes promise shortcuts, but real financial freedom takes years of planning and consistency.

Myth #3: You have to sacrifice everything fun.

Truth: Some people choose extreme frugality, but there are more balanced paths that let you enjoy life along the way.

The Real Paths to Financial Freedom

Here’s the thing: financial freedom exists, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Different people take different routes to get there.

Some common ways people actually achieve it:

1. The High-Earner Path

Some people take the traditional “make a ton of money” route. They go into high-paying careers, stack their savings, and hit their financial freedom goal faster.

But let’s be real – not everyone can or wants to do this.

2. The Frugality Path

Others take the opposite approach: spend as little as possible, save aggressively, and reach financial independence on a modest income.

It works, but it requires serious discipline (and probably saying no to a lot of things).

3. The Side Hustle & Passive Income Path

Then, there’s the mix of entrepreneurship, side hustles, and passive income. Create something once – whether it’s a blog, YouTube channel, online store, or rental property – and let it pay you for years to come.

Sounds ideal, but it takes time, effort, and a lot of trial and error.

So, which one works? That depends on you.

The Role of Luck vs. Strategy

Some people get lucky – inheritance, stock windfalls, right-place-right-time job opportunities. But for most people, financial freedom is about strategy, not luck.

Even if you start with nothing, the right habits compound over time.

“The best investment you can make is in yourself”

How to Start, Even If You’re Earning a Low Income

If financial freedom feels impossible, start with what you can control.

Track your spending. You can’t change your financial future if you don’t know where your money is going.
Increase your income where possible. A side hustle, better job, or extra skills can change the game.
Invest early, even if it’s small. A little saved consistently grows over time.

A Personal Look: The Moment It Felt Possible (And Then... Covid)

Before COVID, I didn’t even know financial freedom was a thing.

I only knew one path: the traditional one. Work hard, climb the corporate ladder, and retire decades later.

For a while, it looked like it might work. My first job as a fresh graduate paid higher than average compared to my peers. Even though it came with unpaid vacations, it felt like I was ahead.

If I passed probation, my salary would increase. I didn’t sit down and do all the math, but at the time, it looked like I could earn more, faster.

Then, four years later – COVID.

Suddenly, everything that felt secure wasn’t. Stability disappeared overnight. The future felt uncertain. And the idea of financial freedom? That felt completely impossible.

Now, I’m working on something different. I know I need to work harder, but I’m still hesitant to say out loud that I’m building my own business. It’s a work in progress, and I don’t have all the answers yet. But I do know one thing: relying on one path doesn’t guarantee security anymore.