There is no proper definition of financial freedom as far as i am concern in dictionary. However, Suze Orman coined this term in her book "The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom", her definition of financial freedom is "when you have power over your fears and anxieties instead of the other way around."
Nonetheless, others define financial freedom as monthly expenses are equal to our passive income. No matter how we define the word FINANCIAL FREEDOM, the most important thing is PROPER FINANCIAL PLANNING with DEBT FREEDOM and FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. Hence, you are FREE to do anything (aka TIME FREEDOM). Its a paradigm shift in our mindset with different point of view on GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE WITHOUT financial worries.
I am not talking about being born into a family of HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUAL (HNWI) - INHERITANCE of WEALTH.
In this article, i am sharing my ideas on utilizing personal financial planning to achieve "financial freedom."
Is it possible for us to achieve our financial freedom eventhough we are on steady source of active income?
Is it a myth?
Is it achievable?
Can i sit at home and do nothing but earning USD 10, 000 a month?
Can i trade my way to financial freedom with stocks?
There are so many questions and doubts keep baffling with our mind. Therefore i wish to clear some doubts from a non-financial expert eye.
MYTH:
1) freedom to do anything including spending money lavishly and living in a posh service condo/ bangalows with heated swimming pool and jacuzzi
2) swiping my plastic CREDIT card like no body biz
3) no need to put in effort for passive income
4) spend as if like doom's day coming soon
5) no need to learn the meaning of "FRUGALITY"
REALITY:
1) Freedom to arrange our time for active income based on our priority
2) FRUGALITY is still the keyword for WEALTH PRESERVATION
2) FRUGALITY is still the keyword for WEALTH PRESERVATION
3) PRIORITIZE our expenses
4) Utilizing EXISTING MONEY TO REPRODUCE MORE MONEY (a.k.a INVESTMENT)
5) ALWAYS REBALANCING your PASSIVE INCOME PORTFOLIO (STOCK investing, UNIT TRUST, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, BONDS, PROPERTIES etc)
well, well much said about the myth versus the reality of financial freedom.
Can we achieve it?
Like what i mentioned just now, it is no easy task by just developing the desire to reach the destination called "financial freedom" but the journey to achieve financial freedom requires a lot planning and thinking in advance (let say 30 to 40years in advance) and wealth preservation.
It is Never Too Late nor
It is Never too Early to Start to PLANNING FOR PERSONAL FINANCE.
In order to plan your finance, either you can hire a certified financial planner (CFP) or DIY.
IMHO, i personally prefers DIY FINANCIAL PLANNING
Steps for Financial Planning
1) Identify our NET WORTH and ESTIMATED PERSONAL NET WORTH
[years to retire X (Annual income minus estimated Annual expenditure)]
2) Define your personal FINANCIAL GOALS
3) Prioritize them into
[SHORT TERM] - buying a laptop/ XBOX/ shoes/ watches
[MEDIUM TERM] - buying a car/ hi fi system/ LCD-HD
[LONG TERM] - buying a house/ retirement funding/ children education funding
4) Debt Settlement, Consolidation and Management
-Debt consolidation basically means taking up one loan to pay off another loan with lower interest rate/ fixed rate or convenience by servicing one loan
-Normally, debt consolidation normally involved payment of a number of unsecured loan against an asset that serves as collateral most commonly a house.
-Theoretically it is suitable to pay off credit card loans
5) Retirement planning
-EPF (one thing for sure is that, EPF is not gonna be enough for this time and day retirement, mainly due to high inflation with low returns)
-Even in the EPF website, it is mentioned that EPF initiative to help improve the employment prospects of members above the age of 55 and to enhance financial security of all members upon retirement (some sense of financial security but not financial freedom)
6) Intelligent portfolio management (rebalancing investment based on economy status)
investment vehicles includes:
-saving account
-fixed deposit
-bonds
-mutual funds
-equities
-properties
-collectible
In the upcoming blog, i will focus on each individual steps mentioned above.
Reference:-
1 Suze Orman. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_(finance)
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt_consolidation
Notes:-
Wealth derives from the old English word "weal", which means "well-being.
The term was originally an adjective to describe the possession of great qualities.
Before Financial Freedom was popularised, Financial Independence and Financial Security were the terms used commonly.
"Financial freedom" is not a comprehensive terminology as being wealth is nothing without health. As we will spend all the money we earn to pay to maintain our health.
======================================
Financial planning + passive income = Debt Freedom
Debt Freedom + Time Freedom = Financial Freedom
Financial Freedom = Good Quality of Life
Can i conclude
Financial Planning + Health = Good Quality of life?
======================================
Is it a illusion equation? or more of a logical equation?
well there is not exact delineation of black and white in life.
There is always grey area where we are not certain.
There are 2 certain things in life, DEATH & TAXES!
No comments:
Post a Comment