Defining Financial Freedom (and Figuring It Out Myself)
The Journey to Financial Freedom - Part 2
In my last newsletter, I shared how a quiet holiday in Tasmania sparked a bigger question:
What does financial freedom actually mean?
That question’s been sitting with me. And over the past few weeks, I’ve been working through it.
I’m not writing this from the finish line.
I’m in it right now.
Sorting out what I want, what matters, and what needs to change.
But I’ll tell you this - getting clearer on my version of freedom has shifted something positive in me.
Here’s what’s helped.
Step 1: Define What Freedom Means to You
Forget the generic goals.
This is personal.
For me, freedom looks like:
Being present with my kids.
Having time for deep, meaningful work (without the pressure of monetising every moment).
Choosing where and how I work, not being dictated by it.
Yours might look different. That’s the point.
Write it down. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for true.
Step 2: Calculate Your “Freedom Number”
Once you know what the life looks like, figure out the price tag.
Not in some massive, millionaire kind of way. Just in terms of:
What would it take each month to fund that life?
What’s your personal “enough”?
For some, it’s $5,000/month. For others, $10,000.
Pick a number. You can adjust later.
Step 3: Use the GPS Framework
This idea from Ali Abdaal really clicked for me:
Goal – What’s the target?
Plan – What path will get you there?
System – What habits will keep you moving?
When I mapped this out, I realised my current plan wasn’t built to reach my goal. It was built to maintain comfort.
Comfort isn’t bad. But it’s not freedom either.
Step 4: Bridge the Knowledge Gap
This was a big one.
I used to think I just needed to “work harder” or “do more.”
Truth is, I needed to learn differently.
There was a gap between what I knew and what I needed to know to create the life I want.
So I’ve been diving into recently:
The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco - Great book to read if you want to change your mindset to support this financial freedom journey!
Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan - Yet to finish, but lots of actionable advice.
Podcasts with builders, creators, contrarians - So many to list. Let me know if you are interested in some.
It’s not about passive consumption. It’s targeted learning. Like studying for a test with high stakes.
Because this is one.
Step 5: Optimise Like You Mean It
This is the unsexy part.
But it’s where freedom is earned.
Waking up earlier to train.
Using downtime to learn, not scroll.
Blocking time to build instead of reacting.
Surrounding yourself with people who push you forward.
These small shifts compound.
They don’t feel flashy. But they build momentum, and with momentum comes clarity.
Where I’m At Now
I don’t have it all figured out.
But I have a direction.
I’ve mapped the gap and I’m starting to move - consistently, and with intention.
And that’s a kind of freedom in itself.
If you’re in a similar spot - questioning, searching, mapping your own version of “enough” - you’re not alone.
This newsletter is part of me sharing the process while I live it. If it helps you, even a little, I’ll call that a win.
More soon.
— Kyfer
P.S Here is the first attempt of using ChatGPT to create an image.
Im not sure why I am sad but here is the exact prompt I used
Create a Pixar-like character of me (using the photo ive uploaded) pondering about financial freedom. Don’t include the bag in the picture.
Haha why is the second GPT image sad when you fed it happy face? lol some screwed +ve and -ve wrong on GPT! 😂 That first one though, 👌