10 RULES THAT COULD HAVE GIVEN ME FINANCIAL FREEDOM 10 YEARS EARLIER

LOOKING RICH ISN’T THE SAME AS BEING RICH

When I was younger, I thought success was all about showing it off. The flashier the car, the cooler the clothes, the better people would think of me. But here’s the truth I wish I had learned sooner: real wealth is quiet. It’s not in shiny things but in assets—stocks, real estate, investments that grow in value. The people who look wealthy often aren’t. And those who are truly wealthy? You’d probably never guess. If I could go back, I’d focus on building financial stability instead of trying to impress others.

DON’T BECOME A SLAVE TO DEBT

“Buy now, pay later” sounds tempting, especially when you’re young and surrounded by pressure to keep up. But I’ve learned the hard way that debt is a trap. That smartphone on installments, that flashy vacation on a credit card—it all adds up. Before you know it, you’re working to pay off your past instead of building your future. Today, I tell my daughters: if you can’t afford it now, you probably shouldn’t buy it yet.

TAKE RISKS WHILE YOU STILL CAN

In your early twenties, you’ve got something incredibly valuable: freedom. No mortgage, no kids, no major responsibilities. That’s the time to experiment. Start a side hustle. Intern somewhere unexpected. Fail fast and learn. I once launched an online store that completely flopped—but I gained knowledge I couldn’t have gotten in school. The risk was small, but the lessons were huge.

PAY YOURSELF FIRST

It took me years to understand that saving money isn’t something you do with “what’s left over.” That almost never works. The trick is to treat your savings like a non-negotiable bill. The moment your paycheck lands, move a portion into savings or investments. I now automate this every month. Even a small percentage adds up over time—and creates peace of mind that no purchase ever could.

MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING—BUT IT MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER

Yes, love, health, and happiness matter more than money. But I’ve learned that money makes those things easier to protect. It gives you access to better healthcare, reduces stress, creates time for your family, and helps you say “no” to toxic work or people. When my daughters ask if money is important, I tell them it’s not the goal—but it’s a powerful tool.

BUILD YOUR LIFE AROUND FREEDOM, NOT STATUS

I used to believe I needed to “keep up” with others—better house, better car, better title. That mindset kept me on a treadmill I didn’t even want to be on. Financial freedom only came when I stopped chasing status and started designing life on my terms. I now measure success by how much time I control—not how much stuff I own. That shift changed everything.

STOP SELLING YOUR TIME—BUILD LEVERAGE

There’s a limit to how much you can earn trading time for money. I spent years working hard, but not necessarily smart. Eventually, I realized the real path to wealth is leverage. This could mean hiring people, building systems, investing in scalable income streams, or using technology to reach more people. Creating a business, a product, or even digital content that works while you sleep—that’s where real freedom begins.

COMMIT TO LEARNING EVERY SINGLE DAY

Charlie Munger once said, “Go to bed smarter than when you woke up.” That quote stuck with me. Financial freedom doesn’t come from luck—it comes from constant learning. And not just about money. Learn about negotiation, habits, decision-making, and communication. The more you grow, the more opportunities you create. Personally, reading one finance book changed my entire approach to money—and helped me build a solid investment portfolio.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Your environment shapes your decisions more than you think. When I was younger, I spent time with people who lived paycheck to paycheck and laughed at the idea of saving. Eventually, I realized that if I wanted to grow, I needed to change my circle. Today, I choose to spend time with people who challenge me, inspire me, and think long-term. The people around you either lift you or hold you down. Choose wisely.

TAKE ACTION—NOW

Reading is great, but nothing changes unless you act. For years, I consumed blogs, books, and videos—but avoided making real changes. If I had taken just one financial principle and acted on it right away, I would’ve reached financial freedom a decade earlier. So here’s my advice: pick one rule from this list and do something about it today. Open a savings account. Cancel a subscription. Start tracking your expenses. Whatever it is, just start.

Financial freedom isn’t a destination you stumble upon—it’s a series of choices you make every day. And the earlier you start, the easier it becomes. These 10 rules aren’t magic, but they are powerful. I’m sharing them with my daughters now, in hopes that they can avoid some of the missteps I made. If you’re reading this and thinking, “I wish I knew this 10 years ago,” don’t worry. The second-best time to start is today.