In school I was fascinated by Medieval times and the predominant form of government, monarchies. Kings ruled the world with the power of life and death in their hands. Societies were divided into structured classes and very few people crossed the lines. Woe to you if you were born into a peasant family, you would spend your life toiling in manual labor. 

We are fortunate to live in a different time where we are free to do whatever we want, whenever we want. Anyone today who puts in the time and effort to get a good education can make something of themselves and rise above their circumstances.

Eye-Opening Experience

My first job as an engineer was with a large chemical company. The union plant where I worked extended over several city blocks. It's smokestacks rose above a spaghetti mess of piping and tanks. The air was thick with the smell of toxic chemicals and hearing protection was required everywhere I went.

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The company was organized like most with a CEO at the top whom I never met, a plant manager who I rarely saw but was on my best behavior when I did, countless managers and supervisors, maintenance people, administrative staff, professional worker bees like myself, and the union workers.

As I took all of this in, it occurred to me that maybe we hadn’t progressed that far from the Dark Ages. I could see traces of the caste system in corporate America. Sure, there was no king or queen, no court jester or anyone yelling, “Off with his head!” But there were powerful people who held my fate in their hands. If I had an off day or did something wrong, I could be shown the door.

So let’s get real for a moment. Can we really do whatever we want whenever we want? If that were true, why did I get up at the crack of dawn this morning and fight my way through traffic to get to work on time? Why am I chained to my desk all day instead of on a beach somewhere with my toes in the sand? Has power simply shifted from monarchies to big corporations?

Financial Independence

Financial independence is more than just a number on a bank statement. Financial independence is your ticket to freedom. When you achieve financial independence, you don’t have to work anymore. You don’t have to get up and go to work every day, you don’t have to bow and scrape to stay in management’s good graces. 

I am not going to put a dollar figure on financial independence because it’s different for everyone. There are many who have tried to quantify it but suffice it to say that financial independence is having enough money so you don’t have to work. It’s not a new concept, 40 years ago Johnny Paycheck summed it up in these six words: “Take this job and shove it.”

Closing Thoughts

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut in our way of thinking. We need to open the windows and let some fresh air in. If you want something badly enough, you will achieve it. Financial independence has to be more important to you than spending money on things you don't need to impress people you don’t know.

Do something to put yourself on the path to financial independence. Drive past that pricey coffee place, stop daydreaming about McMansions and expensive European sedans, and increase the amount you contribute to your employer’s retirement plan. Get serious about financial independence and it will be yours.

Photo credit: Pixabay Eggstack News will never post an article influenced by an outside company or advertiser. Our mission is to help you overcome uncertainty about retirement planning and inspire confidence in your financial future. This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice or any other type of advice. Eggstack makes no representation to the validity, accuracy, completeness, or suitability of purpose of any information presented in this article.