Understanding Financial Independence

“If you want to be financially-free, you need to become a different person than you are today and let go of whatever has held you back in the past." - Robert Kiyosaki

Insights from a Certified Money Coach:

🌅 Imagine this: you wake up tomorrow morning, stretch out in bed, and realise you’ve got the freedom to spend your day however you like.

No stressing over unpaid bills.

No panic about surprise expenses.

No sleepless nights worrying about money.

Sounds like a dream, huh? Well… guess what?

✨ That’s financial independence. ✨

For women over 40 (yes, I’m looking at you), getting a grip on this whole financial independence thing can be life-changing.

It’s not just about having “enough” money to get by.

It’s about peace of mind.

It’s about control.

It’s about knowing that your financial future is in your hands.

But let me be real with you – I didn’t start out like this. Oh no.

I’ve had my fair share of money dramas:

💸 Bills that felt like they’d never stop coming.

🤯 Self-doubt that whispered, “This is too hard.”

🤷‍♀️ And let’s not forget the total confusion over what financial independence even meant.

So, if you’re feeling a bit stuck right now, I get it. I’ve been there.

But stick with me here, because by the end of this post, you’ll not only understand what financial independence is – you’ll believe it’s possible for you.

And even better? You’ll know exactly how to take the first step.

💭 Okay, but what IS financial independence?

Let’s bust a myth right now: financial independence does NOT mean you’ve got to be swimming in bags of cash like Scrooge McDuck. (Although, if that’s your vibe, go for it. 🦆💰)

At its core, financial independence is about having enough passive income (think: investments, rental properties, or anything where you’re not trading hours for dollars) to cover your essentials.

It’s about choice.

It’s about freedom.

It’s about not feeling shackled to a job you hate or panicking every time your car makes “that weird noise.”

When I first heard about financial independence, I thought it sounded like some kind of unicorn goal.

Majestic.

Magical.

Completely out of reach.

But you know what?

Once I started breaking it down, I realised it’s not about big, scary leaps. It’s about small, manageable steps that anyone – yes, anyone – can take.

So, ready to start? Let’s go.

🧠 Step 1: Shift Your Mindset

Okay, I know this sounds a bit woo-woo, but stay with me.

Financial independence starts in your head.

If you’re like me, you might’ve grown up thinking that money = endless hard work.

That security only comes from a steady paycheck.

That you’ve got to grip onto your money like an overprotective parent clutches their kid at a theme park.

That mindset?

It’s one big, ole trap.

It kept me feeling stuck, scared, and, honestly, a little helpless.

The game-changer for me was learning to see money as a tool.

Not something to fear.

Not something to obsess over.

Just a tool that’s there to help you build the life you want.

🌱 Think of it like planting seeds. You don’t see the garden straight away, but with time, care, and the right conditions, it grows.

So here’s your first challenge: start seeing money as something that can work for you. Not the other way around.

🛠 Step 2: Build Your Foundation

You know how you wouldn’t build a house on quicksand? (Unless you’re into disaster movies, I guess.) Well, the same goes for financial independence. You need a solid foundation.

🔍 Get Clear on Your Current Finances

This part is… not fun. Let’s be honest.

When I first sat down with my bank statements, I nearly fell off my chair.

Subscriptions I hadn’t used in months.

Late fees I didn’t even realise I’d paid.

Money leaking out like a dodgy tap.

But here’s the thing: you can’t move forward until you know where you’re at.

Try this:

• Grab your bank statements and break your spending into three buckets:

  • Essentials (rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities)

  • Lifestyle (dining out, hobbies, subscriptions)

  • Savings/investments

• Look at where your money’s going. Be honest.

🎯 Set a Goal (But Make It Bite-Sized)

Financial independence is the destination, but you need some pit stops along the way.

For me, the first goal was simple: cover my monthly essentials with passive income.

Once I nailed that, I started aiming higher.

Your turn:

What’s one small, specific goal you can aim for?

An emergency fund?

Paying off a credit card?

Saving for a holiday?

Pick one and go for it.

💰 Step 3: Make Money Moves

Now we’re getting to the juicy stuff.

🚀 Boost Your Savings Rate

I know, I know – “Save more” sounds boring. But hear me out.

When I started aiming for financial independence, I pushed myself to save more than I thought I could. I got creative:

• Cancelled subscriptions I didn’t need.

• Ate at home more (turns out, I make a mean baked salmon 🐟).

• Automated my savings so I didn’t even have to think about it.

Try this:

Challenge yourself to save an extra 5-10% of your income.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly it adds up.

📈 Start Investing (Seriously, Do It)

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self one thing, it’d be this: START INVESTING.

I used to think I needed to be some kind of Wall Street genius to invest. Nope. I started small with low-fee index funds, and guess what? Over time, they grew. Thank you, compounding interest!

Try this:

Open an investment account (if you don’t already have one) and start with whatever feels manageable – even $50 is fine.

The key is consistency, not perfection.

🌸 The Bigger Picture

Here’s the thing no one tells you about financial independence: it’s not just about the money.

It’s about the freedom.

Freedom to:

🌎 Take that dream holiday.

👶 Be there for your kids.

💼 Walk away from a job you hate.

❤️ Care for a loved one when they need you most.

For me, the most powerful moment wasn’t seeing my bank balance grow – it was the day I realised I could make choices based on what I wanted, not just what I needed.

And that’s what I want for you.

🌟 Ready to Start?

Financial independence isn’t some far-off fantasy.

It’s real.

It’s doable.

And it’s within your reach.

It’s not about being perfect.

It’s about taking small, deliberate steps forward.

Progress, not perfection.

So, what’s your first step?

You’ve got this.

You totally do!

And I’m right here, cheering you on every step of the way. 💪✨

If you’re not sure what you're going to do from here, then grab my free workbook, Map the Gap. It’s like having a friendly Money Coach (that’s me!) sitting next to you, making it all feel easy and achievable.

Even if you’re just dipping a perfectly polished toe into the the task of rewriting your money story, you’ll find it simple to dive in and get started. Trust me, the results will be so fabulous you’ll be amazed!

There’s nothing to lose except your fear of failure, so go ahead and grab your copy here.