BY GEMMA CLARKE
In my 20s, I embraced a carefree lifestyle, disregarding savings and retirement, but as I hit my 30s, I realized the need for a balance between present enjoyment and future planning, urging you to prioritize long-term gain over short-term pleasures to achieve financial freedom.
Many people strive to emulate others on social media, driven by a desire for external validation and a concern about their image, often resulting in living beyond their means and eventually falling into debt.
Many Americans are burdened by debt, with 77% facing financial obligations, and while having debt doesn't preclude financial freedom, ignoring it and lacking a clear repayment plan can hinder your path to financial freedom.
To achieve financial freedom, allocate your paycheck into essential categories like bills, debt, savings, investments, and disposable income, and track your spending using tools like Mint to ensure you stay on budget.
An emergency fund is a crucial step to financial stability, recommended by experts to be the first financial priority, helping prevent further debt accumulation and allowing you to weather unexpected expenses without depleting investments.
To attain financial freedom, aside from saving and spending wisely, diversify your income sources, including passive income and project-based earnings, and optimize your time through outsourcing while seeking financial education.
Until two years ago, I was unaware of a scarcity mindset, which is a belief in limited resources like money, and if you recognize it in yourself, it can be transformed into an abundance mindset through techniques like gratitude, positive affirmations, and mindfulness.