What is financial independence?

Yes, I wrote last week on setting financial independence as a goal. Oh! Mama mia! My mail box was overwhelmed with positive feedback, but one woman’s question struck me and deserves an answer: “What is financial freedom?”

Not only is the question worth the money, but it is so valid and relevant to many. She reminded me of the Bible story where Jesus tells a parable of a woman who saw others paying offerings in the synagogue and she gave out her only coin.

Interestingly, Jesus singles out this woman as having given the best out of the whole lot—surpassing even the bourgeoisie who gave impressively. I wish to also conclude, therefore, that the woman who asked on the definition of financial independence gave the best feedback of them all—because she did not want to pretend that she knew exactly what the term means, but also did ask a question on behalf of many silent readers.

Does “financial independence” mean complete freedom from debt? Does it mean the ability to switch jobs without creating a financial panic in your household? Does it mean having enough money to survive without further income? Does it mean having enough money to thrive and chase whatever endeavours you like without further income?

Here’s the thing: They’re all definitions of financial independence. However, I subscribe to the idea that financial independence means that you have enough money to survive without further income. That does not preclude you from working for additional income.

It merely means that if you were to quit working today, you would not lose any significant part of your way of life due to a lack of a working income. Such financial independence is the ideal life expected of retirees.

Others might have different viewpoints. Financial independence might occur for them once they’re outside of the burden of excessive debt. Others might feel independence when they can freely switch jobs, or when they have the ability to start their own business.

The important question isn’t what financial independence means to me or what it means to some financial writer out there. What matters is what financial independence means to you. What does it mean to you?

On one level, this discussion really is about goal-setting. Many people look at financial independence as a state beyond what they currently have, and it’s something that has attributes that they want. Do you want the ability to easily switch jobs without panic? Do you want the ability to survive without having to work? Those are goals that all fall under the umbrella of financial independence.

The key part is to turn that idea of financial independence that you have in your head and in your heart into a long term goal, one that you’re planning on reaching in the future. What can you do today to move towards that definition of financial independence?

What’s the importance of writing about this? Whenever you read an article by a personal finance columnist and the writer mentions “financial independence,” consider for a moment what that writer is actually talking about. Does it match what you define as financial independence? Or are they talking about something else?

This way, you’ll quickly know whether the information presented is directly relevant to you or whether you have to look for information within the article that is still useful to you even if you aren’t in line with the goals discussed in the article.

Wishing you well as you sit hand in cheek to define what financial independence means to you. I am with you in spirit as you set the goals to realising your independence. Have a blessed day.