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We all want to be rich, and people often think it means MORE money. But I am here to tell you that this is not necessarily true.
I just came back from a lovely morning walk. It felt like spring in the middle of winter! The sun hit my face, and it was so energizing.
As I walked, I couldn’t help but think: What a luxury it is to wake up on a Monday morning and decide to go for a 2-mile walk before starting my workday.
This is one of the luxuries I now enjoy because of the life I’ve built and the feeling of financial security.
Honestly, I never thought learning to budget and giving my money direction would lead me here.
Want your week to feel calmer and more abundant? Try these six money steps every Sunday.
From Debt Stress to Financial Peace
Back in the day, I was just stressed and overwhelmed by my $30K of debt. I was tired of the weight on my shoulders and sleepless nights. The constant worry about making minimum payments and feeling like I was never making progress was exhausting.
I couldn’t even imagine going for a walk on a Monday morning before work. My mind was consumed by debt, and I was burying myself in work, thinking it would somehow “speed up” the repayment process as if it worked that way. But in those moments, guilt took over, making me feel like I didn’t deserve any fun or even a simple pause to enjoy a moment of silence.
I knew something had to change. That’s when I committed to paying off my debt.
But you know what’s wild? I never imagined that paying off my debt would lead me to this feeling of being rich, not because of the money in my bank account but because of how I get to live my life.
Redefining What It Means to Be Rich
So many people drag themselves out of bed, check their emails the minute they wake up, and jump straight into a day that doesn’t feel like theirs.
Meanwhile, I wake up without an alarm, sipping on bone broth and choosing slowness.
Because being rich isn’t just about numbers in your bank account, I know you may think it does, but it does not.
Rich is about:
- How you start your days.
- The choices and opportunities you give yourself.
- The freedom to prioritize your values.
If you don’t feel financially secure, your first instinct in the morning is to grab your phone, check your inbox, and rush straight into work mode. There’s no space to honor what you, as a human being, actually want to do before the day starts.
But when you start feeling financially secure, everything shifts. You begin to prioritize yourself.
Maybe for you, being rich looks like:
- Being able to buy more organic produce without worrying about the price tag.
- Moving closer to trails so you can enjoy nature more often.
- Working fewer hours so you can be present.
- Feeling less rushed every morning because you no longer live paycheck to paycheck.
Financial Security Isn’t Just About Money—It’s About Freedom
The reason so many people feel like financial freedom is out of reach is because they think it requires massive wealth. But real financial security starts with how you manage what you already have. You do not have to wait to increase your salary to start. You want to do this now because once you get in the habit of managing what you currently earn, then once the salary increase comes, you will know exactly what to do with the extra money.
When I was paying off my debt, I didn’t have a six-figure salary or a massive savings account. I had a plan. A budget. A system that allowed me to be intentional with my money.
And that intention changed everything.
Because financial security is what gives you the power to:
- Say yes to what matters without guilt.
- Say no to what drains you without fear.
- Build a life that supports your happiness, not just your bills.
I’m not here to tell you that you need to wake up and go on a morning walk like me. But I am here to tell you that when you build a life that feels rich to YOU, everything changes. Your life will feel more joyous.
You don’t need a fancy tech job to feel rich. Here’s how to reach $100K as an Executive Assistant.
How can you create a rich life now?
You need to want to and be ready to break free from the stress of money and create a life where you feel financially secure, confident, and in control.
Here are four tips to get started today:
- Automate your money so you can focus on living, not tracking every expense: Once your check hits your bank account, your money will be automated into the different goals you have. This can be toward debt payments, toward your savings, etc.
- Build savings that actually stay in savings: You need to have a High Yield Savings Account! This will help you not transfer money within minutes when temptation arises.
- Invest for your future without second-guessing every decision: Automate your investments towards your 401K at work and aim to get a minimum of your employer’s match. Then, you can invest in a Roth IRA that grows your money tax-free! It is one of the best accounts out there!
- Spend on what brings you joy without feeling guilty: This is the secret sauce! Having spending money that you can throw at any of your wants will help you stay focused on the money goals you are trying to reach. Spend guilt-free!
You get to define what rich looks like for you. You can build your dream life. But it starts with the four steps above to get ahead, organize, and shift your mindset.
What Does Rich Look Like for You?
I want you to answer the following: What does rich feel like for you?
Is it more time with your family? More travel? Less stress? The ability to walk into a store and buy what you need without checking your bank balance first?
Whatever it is, I want you to know that it’s possible for you. You deserve a life that feels as rich as it looks. I do not want you to wait until you pay off your debt to start enjoying the little things in life.
And if you are ready, let me know in the comments below what your rich life looks like to you.
Here are helpful posts to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and keep more of your hard-earned money
- 10 Steps to pay off debt while living paycheck to paycheck
- How I paid off $30,000 of credit card debt in 18 months
- How to choose your next job with a salary that is life-changing
- The biggest debt payoff mistake that’s keeping you stuck
- How to payoff debt and save money starting today
- How I stopped living paycheck to paycheck, and paid off 16 maxed out credit cards. A total of $30,000!
