Getting Ahead Of The Eight Ball
Achieving Financial Freedom
I have heard a number of people call this idea in different ways, but the general idea is this. In many people’s opinions, the middle class is on the decline, but wealth in this country continues to grow at a significant rate. And for all young people or those starting over, there can be some challenges at first and some amazing rewards to wealth accumulation. Working for other people really is not going to make you financially successful unless you are in a position to earn significant stock options or at least a salary that equals the cost of living index. So, your options are going into business and investing your profits, or at least investing. Earning a passive income, that is, earning an income without lifting a finger which is equal to or preferably greater than your expenses is what I call “getting ahead of the eight ball” or essentially financial freedom. In my opinion, this freedom is not a direct ticket to happiness, but really the next best thing. How many working vacations have I taken to buy or sell property and written off from my taxes? For me life does not get much better than that. The age old worry concerning getting old (no pun intended) is no longer a curse; it is a gift. I will not have to compete with someone twenty years my junior for less money than me. An MBA is probably in my near future, even though I am hardly a clever man. Never mind, a part-time education and tutors can do wonderous things. Do you know what bothers me now? Nothing. My kids will be able to go to the finest schools, I will have time for my wife, children, parents. Is something wrong with this picture? Yes, I will not be aging prematurely at a job I detest, worrying what the future will bring. Now I do not care about fuel prices, currency woes, deficits, illegal immigration, taxes, insurance costs, and so one. Why? My income will always exceed my expenses so I am covered.
