Let’s be real—money feels like the elephant in the room for most people in their twenties. Whether it’s staring at your student loan balance, juggling rent and bills for the first time in your life, or scrolling Instagram while wondering how everyone else seems to afford their dream life. Finances are often the silent source of stress we all share. I have these thoughts on my own—wondering how to make it work, how to get ahead, and how to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck heart shattering cycle we all see too many times.
Consider this: financial freedom isn’t just a far-off dream for “someday.” It’s a process, and it starts exactly where you are now. Let me help you break it down.
Level 1: Stress Level Zero – Stability First
This is where our journey to financial freedom begins: eliminating the stress of living paycheck to paycheck. At this stage, our goal shouldn’t be yachts or private jets—it’s stability. It’s having enough breathing room in your finances so you’re no longer panicking when unexpected expenses pop up.
I remember hitting my own "stress level zero" moment when I finally had what felt like enough money in my emergency fund to feel comfortable. It wasn’t flashy, but it felt like freedom. That small cushion gave me the confidence to stop living in constant survival mode.
How do you get here? Start with the basics:
Track your spending. Where’s your money actually going?
GEL. Don’t roll your eyes—this isn’t like some ordinary “budget” this is your roadmap to freedom. Giving you a flexible, and balanced way of managing your cash flow. Without feeling like you’re always having to cut back. To learn about the GEL framework check out this blog https://www.freedomology.com/post/the-best-budget.
Create an emergency fund and savings account. Even $500 can make a difference.
Once you hit this level, you’ll notice a shift. The stress of daily finances will start easing up, and you can finally focus on the bigger picture.
Level 2: Asset Freedom – Making Your Money Work for You
Once you start to feel stability, it’s time to level up. Asset freedom is about building wealth—income that works for you, even when you’re not working. Think of it as your golden ticket to independence.
What will get us to this point? Assets. These could be investments, rental properties, or a business you build. The point is to create streams of income that cover your expenses so you’re no longer reliant on trading time for money.
I’ve watched people my age start small—buying their first rental property, flipping a side hustle into a full-time gig, or consistently investing in index funds. It’s not about how fast you move; it’s about consistently taking steps toward independence.
Here’s a real life example where you can start building assets. You’re looking to purchase your first starter home and realizing that purchasing a house at the moment only benefits you having a place to lay your head at night. What if instead you started saving for a bit longer and eventually found a duplex instead. Now you have half of the home housing you and the other half being inhabited by renters. They’re now paying for your mortgage while you’re still getting to save.
The new cycle then continues, once you’re comfortable with your cushion again you're onto your next property and have multiple streams of income. This concept doesn’t need to be wildly complicated. Financial freedom is built for everyone.
Here’s the crazy part: as you grow your assets, you’ll notice a shift in your mindset too.
Money stops feeling like a burden and starts to feel like a tool—a way to buy your time back.
Level 3: Real Freedom – Living a Life of Purpose
This is the dream level, but it’s not just about having “enough” money. Real freedom is when your finances allow you to focus entirely on what truly matters to you. It’s about designing a life that aligns with your values, goals, and passions. When you’re young it’s so easy to think money is the only means to happiness but with all the money in the world and no one to share it with, what is the point?
At this stage, you’re not just paying bills or building wealth—you’re making an impact. Maybe it’s launching a nonprofit, mentoring others, traveling the world, or creating something meaningful that leaves a legacy.
This is where fear no longer holds you back because you’ve built a life that supports your purpose. It’s about having the financial resources and the mindset to chase what truly sets your soul on fire.
Overcoming Fear and Building Your Freedom
This journey isn’t gonna be easy for us. Fear is always lurking in the background: What if I fail? What if I lose money? What if I never get there? But here’s what I’ve learned: fear fades the moment you take action.
Start where you are. Save that first $500. Invest in something small. Learn how to create assets, even if it’s just experimenting with a side hustle. With every step forward, your confidence will grow, and your fear will shrink.
Your Freedom, Your Future
Forget about the numbers in your bank account—it’s about creating a life that feels full, meaningful, and free. It’s about breaking the cycle of stress, breaking the habits you’ve watched unfold in front of you for years, building assets that give you options, and ultimately designing a life that’s focused on what matters most to you.
If you’re tired of living for the weekend and wondering when life will feel different, here’s your wake-up call: freedom doesn’t happen by accident. It’s something you build, step by step.
I know what it’s like to feel stuck in the cycle—it’s overwhelming, and honestly, a little discouraging. But I’ve learned that financial freedom isn’t just for people who “have it all figured out.” It’s a process, and it starts with small, intentional steps.
That’s why I joined F40—a 40-day sprint designed to help people like us take control of our money, start building real wealth at a young age, and create options for our future. It’s not about extreme budgeting or giving up everything fun—it’s about learning how to make money work for you instead of constantly stressing over it.
Since starting F40, I’ve learned how to break out of survival mode and actually feel in control of my finances. Started building assets (yes, even as someone who thought I wasn’t ready) and shifted my mindset so I’m not just working for money—I’m making it work for me!
If you’ve ever felt like you’re just waiting for the moment when life finally feels different, this is your sign to stop waiting and start building. You don’t need to have it all figured out, you
just need to take the first step.
Join me and thousands of others in F40. Take control of your financial future at www.freedomology.com/f40
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