Financial Freedom is yours!
Written by: Marina Townsend
So you want to be financially free? Let me tell you, even those of us who understand that there’s more to life than money would agree that lifting the burden of financial worries and living with freedom sounds like a blessing. Imagine the peace of mind!
The truth is, more and more people are waking up to the fact that the rat race we’ve been conditioned to accept isn’t the dream. It’s not the way to true freedom for most of us. A year ago, I hit that same realization: enough was enough. I knew that managing the money I already earned was my first step.
You know the cycle: "I don’t have enough money," "I need a pay rise," or "Once I earn more, everything will be fine." But year after year, pay rise after pay rise, I was singing the same tune. Why? Because I hadn’t mastered two crucial things: discipline and consistency.
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Instead of signing up for another seminar or bingeing yet another podcast, I decided to use something simple but effective: a tool that works with you, for you. That tool? ChatGPT.
I started by sitting down and mapping out my financial situation—every debt down to the penny, my income, expenses, job title, skills, goals, and where I wanted to be in life (financially, spiritually, health-wise—you name it). Then I played around with timeframes and asked ChatGPT to create a tailored daily plan for me. And guess what? It delivered beyond my expectations!
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But here’s the kicker: no plan, no matter how brilliant, works if you lack discipline. Motivation is great, but it comes and goes. Life will throw unexpected challenges your way, and that’s when discipline becomes your anchor.
Now, there’s one book that completely changed the game for me: The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. This book didn’t reinvent the wheel for me, but it showed up at the perfect time, when I was ready to commit. It’s simple, clear, and structured. Ramsey lays out seven baby steps that you can follow to take control of your finances and your future. They’re not flashy or overnight fixes, but if you’re serious about building wealth and achieving freedom, these steps will take you there.
Dave Ramsey’s 7 Steps to Financial Freedom:
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Save £1,000 for a Starter Emergency Fund
Start small. This emergency fund will cover unexpected expenses, so you don’t fall into debt when life happens.
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Pay Off All Debt (Except the House) Using the Debt Snowball. List your debts from smallest to largest. Pay off the smallest first while making minimum payments on the rest. Then roll that payment into the next debt. The momentum you’ll build is motivating and powerful.
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Save 3–6 Months of Expenses in a Fully Funded Emergency Fund. Once you’ve tackled your debt, build a cushion to handle bigger life events like a job loss or a medical emergency.
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Invest 15% of Your Household Income in Retirement​. Secure your future by investing consistently in retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, or other options.
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Save for Your Children’s College Fund
Help your kids avoid the burden of student loans by planning ahead with tools like ESAs or 529 plans.
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Pay Off Your Home Early
Knock out your mortgage early and free yourself from your biggest expense.
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Build Wealth and Give
Once you’re debt-free and financially secure, grow your wealth and share it generously with causes and communities that matter to you.
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If this resonates, I encourage you to read The Total Money Makeover. The book dives deeper into each step, offering valuable insights and practical tips to stay committed.
But let me say this: financial freedom isn’t some secret formula reserved for the elite. It starts and ends with you. Are you ready to commit?
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Here’s a tip: start small. Practice discipline in everyday decisions. For example, if you’re tempted by a daily chocolate bar or packet of crisps, cut it down to once a week. Then, after a month, make it once a month. This isn’t about depriving yourself—it’s about proving to yourself that you have control.
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We often tell ourselves, “You only live once,” or “Do what makes you happy.” And sure, that’s true—to an extent. But living for today doesn’t mean sabotaging your tomorrow. You can enjoy life right now while still keeping the end in mind.
The beauty of this journey is that every positive choice you make builds a stronger, freer version of yourself. It’s not just about money—it’s about living with purpose and intention.
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So, are you ready to take the first step? Your future self is waiting to thank you. 💪