If you are careful with your money and make good financial choices, you can have the financial independence to do whatever you want.  Have you noticed that many people earn a lot of money and seem to be just "getting by"?  Yet there are people who have low incomes and do very well.  How much money you earn isn't the only thing that matters.  What matters more is how you handle the money you have.  The difference between getting by and being financially independent is actually very small.

People who are financially independent aren't necessarily making more money or smarter than others, but they are probably better at making financial decisions.  They set their goals, make a plan, and stick to it.  They look at tax implications, returns and risk, project all the figures into the future, and then decide on a course of action.  This sounds complicated, but our calculators and our recommendations are here to help simplify your decisions.  When you have all the information, making decisions becomes much easier.

Throughout this website we have resources, tips and calculators which will allow you to compare different scenarios.  You will be able to see what a big difference a small change in your money management decisions can make.  You may not think that this applies to you when you are young, but this is when it is most important, because you have the luxury of time (and compounding!) on your side.

Some people giving financial advice are in a conflict of interest, because they benefit if you follow their advice.  We do not earn money from any of the recommendations that we make.  Our income is from visitors to our website clicking ads, and from companies licensing our calculators.  The advice on this website is not tailored to anyone's individual situation.  It is wise to get a second opinion for any financial advice you receive, including ours.  Before making a major financial decision, you should hire an independent professional advisor (paid by the hour) to review your plan.

Every person's situation is different, and one plan does not fit all.  You need to sit down, define your goals, and figure out your own plan.  Life is a series of choices, and every person is the master of their own fate.  Forming and following the plan requires that you make choices, some of which can be difficult, and some of which will require a lot of dedication.  Everyone's goals should include buying their own home, and getting out of non-tax-deductible debt as quickly as possible.