Do you recall the moment you realized you were financially independent? The moment when you realized that what you earn is more than your expenses? I do. It was December 23, 2008.
I had just moved outside my home country for a new job. I decided to stay over the holidays. On that day, I was working and had just received my second salary. I looked at my bank account, did a quick calculation in my head, and had the following thought:
I don’t need anyone
It sounds dramatic. You always need other people. I meant it in a financial sense. I achieved financial independence at the age of 23. It felt like I had just won the lottery.
I will never forget the feeling. I cherish it, and I suspect that many others do as well. Yet, we do not often talk about financial independence. On the other side, there is plenty of content out there on how to get rich. I bet that for every piece of content on becoming financially independent, there are ten more about how to get rich.
Why?
In my opinion, financial independence brings more lasting joy than becoming rich.
If you have achieved financial independence, take pride in it.
