Money is not the main thing in life, but it’s obvious that having enough money helps you to avoid many problem and let enjoy the life fullier. That’s why achieving financial independence becomes a purpose for many. There’s a lot of misunderstanding in it though as many people are sure that you need to make a lot of money to be financially independent.
The truth is, the skill of managing money you already have is more important that earning a lot. One can reach financial independence even without having a high salary. Do you want to know how? Check the following:
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Get out of debt first. You cannot speak about financial independence until the debt on your credit card is bigger than your monthly income. Credit is a useful tool, no doubt, but not when if you use it for buying things you cannot afford. As the practise shows, people mostly use credit cards to buy smartphones, clothes or to go for a vacation. So, if you really want to become financially independent, cut on buying these things and pay your credit card debt.
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Spend less than you make. You will reach financial stability when you start spending less than you earn. This principle does not depend on how much you earn. Just try to spend a little bit less and if you manage this, you’ll get an understanding that you manage your money, not your money manage you. -
Track your expences and reduse them. I am not trying to persuade you to be stingy, not at all. Spend your money on the things you need, but do it wisely. Buy as many foods as you really need in order not to throw them away in a week because they had spoiled. Buy the clothes you are really going to wear, not because they offer a 30% discount. Get a new smartphone when the old is broken, not twice a year. These little things literally consume a lion’s share of your money. When you reduce such expences, the quality of your life won’t change, but the amount of money you save will increase.
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Save at least 10% of your income monthly. Many people say, ‘I earn too little to make savings or invest’. It’s a common misunderstanding. When you save 10% of your income, you likely won’t even notice it, and your savings will grow.
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Invest in yourself first. People who are really wealthy understand that they are the main asset. So if you want financial freedom, you should monthly invest money in your knowledge and constantly improve your professional level. Invest not in real estate or jewelry but in your mind first – this will definitely pay out.
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Become more financially literate. The more you know about managing your money, the easier it will be for you to take care about your money. Attend trainings or read some special literature. Learn about saving and investment and then utilize this knowledge – one day it will become an important step in the way to your financial freedom.
About the author: Sarah Hall is a versatile person and a passionate writer. Her main job is writing articles about business, finance and social media. You can get in touch with her on paper writers|Google+.