Most of us tend to think about our budgets in terms of what we can afford. From cars to tablets, we usually see money as a means to an end. Finance blog Afford Anything suggests making one of those ends a top priority: freedom.
Photo by Josef Grunig.
Underneath all of the tricks and budget schemes, the two biggest financial goals we can have — being debt-free and achieving financial independence — share a common thread: freedom. The end game is to be able to walk away from anything and live your life as you choose without being burdened with financial responsibility. As Afford Anything puts it:
Wealth isn’t about having stuff; it’s about having opportunity. It buys the flexibility to quit jobs we hate, walk away from bad living situations, and plunge into new hobbies or projects…
Money’s most significant role in our lives isn’t to buy luxury cars. It gives us independence. It allows us to quit jobs we hate, travel, and visit sick relatives across the country at a moment’s notice.
Of course, it sounds nice, but there’s a practical side as well. The next time you’re considering a big purchase, ask yourself: “Is this worth my freedom?” If you’re willing to stay in your current job or life situation for it, great! If you’re not ready to give up the ability to change your mind or try something new for a trinket though, it may be best to skip it.
Money Doesn’t Buy Stuff. It Buys Choices. [Afford Anything]
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