Let (financial) freedom ring
We wanted to know how you define financial freedom. And here are the answers you tweeted, posted on Facebook and e-mailed to us:
Roger Walker: My name is Roger Walker. I’m from Brunswick, Maine, and my definition of financial independence is something that my father taught me when I was fairly young. Essentially, he would say, “You’re rich when you’re not worried about your well-being or your children’s financial well-being. But you’re more interested in third generation, your grandchildren’s financial well-being.”
David Knutson: My name is David Knutson. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and my idea of financial independence is knowing that I can buy ice cream for my daughters when I’d like to give them a treat, just not having to worry about having something a little special now and then.
Yarden Bendor: My name is Yarden, I’m from Phoenix, Ariz., originally from Israel. Financial independence for me means that you can wake up in the morning and really think about what you want to do with your day.
Daniel Snow: I’m Daniel Snow from Salt Lake City, Utah. Financial independence is being able to pay your rent or your mortgage, eating enough healthy food and building your savings without using credit cards.
Shane Jordan: My name is Shane Jordan from Birmingham, Ala. When I think of financial independence, I think of having savings enough to retire, having a house that’s paid for, as well as college savings for my children.
Kevin Newman: I’m Kevin Newman from New Paltz, N.Y. Financial independence would be being the 1 percent or at least not being in the precariat, that is such a precarious situation that it feels like the rug is going to get pulled out from underneath me every five minutes.
Gail Sabanosh: My name is Gail, I’m from Houston. And my idea of financial independence is own, don’t owe. When I was six, my mother always said, “Don’t spend more than you make.” Fifty years later, everything else still applies. I’m self-employed, I’ve paid off my mortgage about 10 years ago and I did that by paying each month towards the principal. I use credit cards for everything that I buy. I pay my balance off at the end of the month. I have no debt, manage my own retirement accounts and plan on living happily ever after.
Beth Casey : My name’s Beth and I’m from Chicago, Ill. Financial independence means that I am able to make the decisions in my life, rather than having money or not enough money make the decisions about what I get to do or have.
Roozbeh Kaboli: My name is Roozbeh and I live in Santa Monica, Calif. To me, being financially independent means picking up the check when I go to eat with my mom and dad. I say this, because growing up, I was always hesitant or felt guilty when accepting money from my parents. This was particularly true, when I was aware that the family was going through a period of financial strain. What I wasn’t cognizant of, however, was that my parents were constantly investing in me. So, when I get the opportunity to treat mom or dad to a meal, it’s also a chance to discuss my future goals and show them that I’m on sound financial footing. Hopefully, they’ll see their investment is beginning to pay off.
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