The Two Kinds of Freedom That Can Change Your Life
A few months ago, I met an old friend at a small café by the beach.
Laptop open, coffee in hand, waves in the background — he was working, but it didn’t feel like “work.”
I asked, “So… vacation mode?”
He laughed, “No yaar, this is just my Tuesday.”
It was in that moment I realised — he wasn’t just free in the usual sense.
He had something rare: Financial Freedom.
Freedom – The Power to Choose
When we say “I want to be free”, what we usually mean is:
Choosing where we live
Choosing what kind of work we do
Choosing how and with whom we spend our time
It’s that ability to say yes or no without worrying about consequences you can’t control.
Imagine waking up and thinking,
“I’ll work today… but only till 1 PM.”
or
“I’ll take my parents out for lunch in the middle of the week because I can.”
That’s freedom — living life on your own terms.
Financial Freedom – The Engine Behind True Freedom*
Here’s the truth: you can’t truly enjoy freedom if money is constantly pulling the strings.
Financial Freedom means:
You have enough passive income (from investments, assets, or businesses) to cover your expenses
You’re not working because you must, but because you choose to
You can take time off without your lifestyle collapsing
Example:
If your monthly expenses are ₹50,000, and your passive income is ₹60,000, you are financially free.
Even if you take a month off, your bills are still paid, and your life continues without stress.
Why Financial Freedom Matters So Much
Without financial freedom:
Your boss’s calendar decides your calendar
Your EMIs and bills decide where you live
Every decision is filtered through, “Can I afford this?”
With financial freedom:
Time becomes truly yours 🕒
You can live anywhere — city, mountains, or beach 🌏
Peace of mind becomes your daily reality 😌
And perhaps the most powerful benefit — you gain the confidence to take bold steps, whether it’s starting a new business, travelling the world, or spending more time with loved ones.
How to Move Towards Financial Freedom
The journey isn’t magic — it’s a series of intentional steps:
1. Know Your Numbers – Track every rupee/dollar you spend. You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
2. Increase Your Income – Upgrade your skills, ask for raises, start a side business, or freelance.
3. Invest Wisely – Put money into assets that grow and generate income (stocks, mutual funds, real estate).
4. Avoid Bad Debt – Only borrow for assets that can produce income, not for liabilities that lose value.
5. Build Multiple Income Streams – Dependence on a single source is risky; multiple sources make you financially bulletproof.
The Mindset Shift
Financial freedom isn’t just about money — it’s about options.
It’s the difference between:
“I can’t afford to take time off.” vs. “I choose not to work this month.”
“I wish I could live there.” vs. “Where should I live next?”
Once you reach this point, work becomes a choice, not a chain.
Thought
Freedom is the dream.
Financial freedom is the permanent version of that dream.
Start building it today — not someday.
Because life is too short to wait for weekends to feel free.
Happy Independence Day
Akshay Tiwari
Founder – Next Portfolio
🌐 www.nextportfolioindia.com
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