FINANCIAL
FREEDOM IS NOT JUST FOR THE RICH
Follow these steps for you to achieve the same.
Financial freedom is often perceived as a privilege
reserved for the wealthy. However, as an experienced financial advisor, I
firmly believe that financial independence is attainable for everyone,
regardless of their current financial circumstances.
Just like a seasoned traveler relies on a map and
navigational tools, you can follow the steps given in this article to achieve
your financial freedom.
Reflecting on those experiences, it is clear that financial
freedom, a state of being financially self-sufficient and stress-free, is a
goal you must choose.
Achieving this freedom is not an overnight process; it
requires a systematic and disciplined approach. It is important to avoid making
uninformed decisions that can hinder progress.
EMERGENCY FUND IS THE PILLAR OF A STRONG FINANCIAL
PLAN
We live in an era where joint family is an endangered species and thus you
are left to fend for yourself even in an emergency financial situation.
In a Contingency Situation, the options for you could vary from selling
your prized processions to selling your blue chip shares/Mutual funds to taking
a Credit Card loan or even borrowing from your friend or the next-door
moneylender.
All these could lead to potentially rock your Financial Plan. This is where
an EMERGENCY FUND comes into the picture. One of the biggest lessons that
COVID has given all of us is the importance of having an EMERGENCY FUND
Emergency Fund acts as a Shock Absorber of a Financial Plan. The absence of
it can make a Financial Plan turbulent. Once you have this covered…. then the
mental peace you have is unparalleled.
If you don’t have an Emergency Fund, SET IT UP NOW!!!
GET INSURANCE:
The most vital aspect of Financial Planning is Risk
Management. We never know when life will throw a Googly at us (covid, etc). Thus,
it’s absolutely crucial that we are adequately covered for such emergencies by
way of Health Insurance, Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance, accident
insurance, etc.
Insurance can be expensive, but it can save you a lot of
money in the long run. If you are unable to work due to an illness or injury,
health insurance can help pay for your medical expenses. If you are in an
accident, auto insurance can help pay for the cost of repairs or replacement.
And if your home or belongings are damaged in a disaster, Property insurance
can help pay for the cost of repairs or replacement.
Insurance is thus, not an expense, but a smart way to
ensure your financial stability and peace of mind.
CREATE A BUDGET
Create a plan for your money to flow properly. It’s a
blueprint that guides your financial decisions.
This plan called a Budget in other words, helps you
effectively manage your income and expenses.
List out all your income from various sources like Salary,
investments, rent, government benefits, etc.
Likewise list out all your expenses like Food,
Transportation, Rent, Utility bills, insurance, and EMIs.
Be sure to include
even your irregular and make provision for unexpected expenses as this will
make your budget plan realistic.
Once you know where exactly your money is going and coming
from, you can then decide how much you can save and invest.
Note that the budget plan should be flexible. Our life is
constantly changing. Income may vary, expenses may vary and thus your budget plan
should be flexible enough to have all these adjustments to navigate our
financial journey.
The plan for the money flow will help establish a strong
financial foundation so that you can easily achieve your financial goals.
SAVING AND INVESTING:
Saving and investing are the pillars of building a solid
financial foundation. Saving helps you build up a cushion of money in case of
unexpected expenses like a job loss or a medical emergency, while investing
helps you create wealth over time and achieve all your financial goals like
Buying a home, etc
Set aside a portion of your income and build an emergency
fund to deal with unexpected expenses. Find investment opportunities that suit
your goals.
Don’t
just save… INVEST!
SAVING IS
MONEY KEPT ASIDE FOR AN FORESEEABLE EXPENSE (NEED)
INVESTING IS MONEY KEPT ASIDE
FOR A FUTURE EXPENSE (WANT/COMFORT)
SAVING is a process of
accumulating money. With Saving, you are safeguarding your money and is
risk-free.
INVESTING is the process of
CREATING WEALTH and could involve some form of Risk.
SAVINGS doesn't need much
expertise.
INVESTING is complex and
expert hand-holding is a MUST at least in the initial stages and in some
products, inevitable.
If you are not sure
how to save or invest, consider talking to a financial advisor. A financial
advisor can help you create a financial plan that meets your specific needs.
GOAL
It’s proven that we humans work better and are more
successful when we have a specific goal to focus on, as a goal will give us
direction and keep us motivated.
Divide your financial goals into specific short terms like
Visiting Char Dham, medium-term goals like buying a Car, and long-term goals like
Child Marriage or Buying a Dream House.
By writing these goals, you will get a purpose and
motivation to make your money directed towards achieving those goals.
Having clear financial goals will propel you faster toward
the goal of Financial Freedom.
AVOID DEBT LIKE A PLAGUE:
Debt will take you down the hold and digging will only get
deeper and deeper with every passing day of your debt life.
If you already do have a debt, work vigorously towards
reducing and clearing off the same. Please note that having debt will also
affect your cibil score and thus you will have to pay higher interest if
you need further debt. Be mindful of
your spending habits and resist the temptation to rely on credit cards or loans
for unnecessary purchases. Focus on living within your means and utilizing cash
or debit for your day-to-day expenses.
Imagine that you're
trying to run a race, but you're carrying a heavy backpack. The backpack is
full of debt, and it's slowing you down. No matter how hard you try, you can't
seem to catch up to the other runners.
That's what debt can do to you. It can weigh you down and make it
difficult to achieve your financial goals.
One of the easiest ways to avoid getting into a debt trap
is by
a) Having an Emergency Fund
b) Having a pre-planned expenses list and sticking to it
c) Pay all your bills ON TIME
Remember, avoiding debt is an essential component of
achieving financial freedom. By adopting a prudent approach to spending,
building an emergency fund, and repaying existing debts strategically, you can
pave the way for a more secure and prosperous financial future. Stay committed
to your goals, practice financial discipline, and celebrate the milestones as
you move closer to a debt-free life.
DIVERSIFY YOUR INCOME SOURCES:
A strong sturdy building stands for 100s of years only due
to its PILLARS.
A farmer relying only on 1 crop is vulnerable to
unpredictable crop failures but if he has multiple fields and multiple crops,
the chance of a bountiful harvest is sure to happen.
Likewise, try to have multiple income sources so that you
have a safety net that gives you a cushion against unexpected financial setbacks
in any one of the income sources.
Do explore and pursue various income avenues, leveraging
the power of diversification to secure your financial future.
By spearing your investments across various asset classes
and sectors, you reduce the risk associated with a single investment.
Having multiple sources of income (however small) gives you a sense of security, and more freedom and reduces your risk thus increasing your
chances of achieving Financial Freedom sooner.
REACHING GOAL QUICKER BY TOPPING UP
To reach your destination efficiently, you need to fuel
your journey with consistent efforts. Just as a car requires fuel, your
financial journey demands regular savings and investments.
Just as a smart shopper seizes discounts during a sale,
adding funds to your investments during market downturns can enable you to buy
assets at lower prices, potentially increasing your returns when the market
rebounds.
REVIEW & RE-ROUTE IF NECESSARY
On a long journey, it's natural to encounter detours and
obstacles. The same applies to your financial journey. Unexpected expenses,
market fluctuations, and life events can throw you off course. That's why it's
crucial to review and adjust your financial plan regularly, like recalibrating
your GPS.
Even the best of plans can go awry due to unforeseen and
unavoidable changes in life and circumstances
A review and a route change are a must in such a case.
Say a change of job, childbirth, a death in the family, tax
law change, or even a change of place of work could lead significant impact on
the financial priorities.
Just as a ship adjusts its course to reach its destination,
we may need to keep making necessary adjustments in our financial plan to stay
on track to achieving Financial Freedom
A review will help in accessing your progress and identify
areas where improvements are needed.
Remember, with each adjustment you make, you are optimizing
your plan and inching closer to achieving your dreams. The review helps in making
informed and proactive steps to reach our goal of Financial Freedom more quicker.
An experienced Financial Advisor by your side can provide valuable guidance and
give insights into investment opportunities and make sure your strategy aligns
with your goals helping you reach your goal on time with the least stress.
Achieving Financial Freedom is not a pipedream.
It is a realistic and achievable goal
that anyone can pursue with the right habits and strategies. By following the
steps outlined in this article, you can set yourself on the path to financial
freedom and enjoy life to the fullest.
.
Conclusion:
Financial freedom is not an exclusive privilege of the wealthy; it is a goal
that can be pursued by anyone committed to taking the necessary steps.
Remember, it starts with cultivating healthy financial habits, building a
strong foundation, embracing incremental progress, leveraging the power of
compounding, seeking knowledge, and surrounding yourself with a supportive
network. Embrace the journey towards financial freedom, knowing that you have
the potential to unlock a future of independence and security, regardless of
your current financial circumstances.
All The Very Best,
Srikanth Matrubai
Author – Don’t Retire Rich
This article of mine is also published in MEDIUM
https://medium.com/@matrubai.srikanth/financial-freedom-is-not-just-for-the-rich-a-guide-d1f2c7f04d29
You are strongly encouraged to consult your financial planner before making any decision regarding this investment.
The views expressed here are the author's personal views and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to invest/avoid.
