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Are You Financially Independent?

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Happy Halloween my dears! I’m sad that it’s on a Monday this year! But that didn’t stop everyone from celebrating this past weekend! What did you guys do this year? I decided to go to San Diego and hung out with some friends. We went to a farm and harvested our own produce! It was so cool learning about planting! Everything in the farm was organic and so fresh to eat! One of the things that stuck with me was our tour guide’s energy. You can tell she is doing something she loves and she is happy. She told us that she used to work in the corporate world and one day she ended up working at this farm and loved it ever since. Why did that stick with me? It’s because I want to be in that state of mind. Personally, I am tired of the corporate world.
I don’t want to work on a farm but I do want to work for myself and be able to just enjoy my life to the fullest as long as I possibly can. However, one big thing that is keeping me away from that is being financially comfortable.
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I think it’s ridiculous that society requires us to go to school, then college, then get a job to survive. College is expensive, some can’t afford to do so and end up not getting a good job. And then most of the ones who are able to go to college graduate with debts. While working our 8-5 jobs, we are paying college loans and other debts. Most of us will spend half if not all of our lives paying off debts. Just knowing that if I don’t do anything about it, I will fall into that situation, and I don’t want to regret that I never did anything else to enjoy my life.
So with that being said, I want to be able to work because I want to, not because I have to. Don’t we all?! That’s the problem, we all want to yet we let fear keep us from making this happen. For me, I fear that if I quit my day job I wouldn’t be able to support myself financially. I have so man bills to pay before I can start putting money into my savings. When I used to live in the east coast, I was able to save so much more because the cost of living wasn’t as expensive as it is here in California. Now that I am living in California, I have to adjust. To be honest, my first year living here, I spent majority of my income paying rent and bills. I find myself living pay check to pay check and touching my emergency saving funds to help relieve the financial situation I was going through. It is now definitely a little better because I have two other roommates.
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So what does being financially independent means to me? Here are a few things
1. Not living paycheck to paycheck
2. Being able to work because I want to work and not because I have to work
3. Being comfortable with my finances that I can travel the world and explore whenever I want to
4. Being able to put money away in my savings every month
5. The ability to enjoy life without having to work
accountant-accounting-adviser-advisor-159804-large So those are some of my ideas of what it means to be financially independent. As I write them down and say it out loud to myself, it all really seems such a far reach and impossible to achieve. If you are like me, you are probably wondering how in the world will I ever get there?! Well, I’m no expert so I don’t have an answer for you but I do know that planning will get you there. So below are small steps that I am taking to get to my goals.
1. Not eat out everyday and every meal
2. After every paycheck I get, I make an effort to put at least 20-50% in my savings
3. Don’t buy things that I necessarily wouldn’t use (if you want to read my guide to minimalist – check out that blog)
4. Sell items that I no longer use to have extra cash
5. Invest my money into something more worthy for the long run
6. Plan, plan, plan and remind myself constantly of my goals
All these steps wouldn’t get me to where I want overnight, but I know that if I stay on track and stick to my goals. I will eventually get to where I want to be. What does being financially independent means to you?
Love, Linh

33 Comments

  • Alex

    You’re on your way Linhy Poo! So proud of what you’ve done so far with this blog and excited to see what you will do in the future. Grind, grind, grind so you can leave the corporate world and make this thing profitable. Miss ya kiddo.

    ps. if you move back to the East Coast, you can save more 😛

  • Alex

    You’re on your way Linhy Poo! Working for someone else sucks and gets very old very quick. I’m excited to see all the progress you’re made with your blog and fashion. Find your motivation and grow this thing to heights you’ve never imagined. Love ya kiddo.

    ps. if you com back to the East coast you can save more :p

  • Warren

    I really loved this article. I agree with your thoughts on what being financially independant is to you and all i totally agree with. Great piece 🙂

  • Tania

    Wow it sounds like such a fun and unique weekend. I’m glad that it really inspired you! I don’t think that I have the loftiest goals regarding financial independence. I think working is a part of life. If we all worked just whenever we felt like it, the world would crumble to pieces. Compared to most, especially my parents, my job is pretty unstressful and I don’t really have to work too hard. I don’t make a ton of money but again, it’s enough for what I need and some things that I want, although it’s human nature to always want more. Happy that you’re saving and taking steps to reach your goals!

  • Andreea Birsan

    Great inspiring post! I don’t wanna fall into that life either! I really look forward to being 100% financial independent so I can do whatever I want. At the moment, I only work for myself, on my blog, and I really love it. But it takes time to translate all that work and dedication into being financially independent. Have a lovely week! <3

    Andreea,
    http://couturezilla.com/

  • Sharon Wu

    Such a great post! I feel the same way — don’t want to be working just to work until I die and bring in a paycheck. I want to be doing something I love for the rest of my life so that it is not only more impactful to myself but also to others around me. You can definitely feel someone’s energy like you did with the tour guide! I definitely appreciate my current work situation now as I get to work from home on my own schedule and do what I love. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I totally do all the things you’ve listed to stay financially afloat while pursuing my dreams 🙂 xo, sharon

    http://www.stylelullaby.com/beauty/october-beauty-favorites/

  • Aldora

    Awesome share Linh! I have issues managing my finances too because I tend to spend too much – guess I need to implement some of your suggested tips! Thanks for the pointers 🙂

  • gracie

    Love your tips to achieve financial independence. I am going to check out your guide to minimalist as I am all about only getting it if necessary, and selling what I don’t use. Feeling financially strapped is the worst so your goals and tips are great !
    xx, gracie
    http://www.snappedbygracie.com

  • Caprice bianca

    Thanks for sharing! It’s tough to find balance. I have worked many jobs in fashion as well as have had my own businesses in fashion too which can be scary. I think if we find something we love doing it makes it all a lot more enjoyable day to day 🙂

  • Jo

    Love your great list of tips for reaching financial independence! I live in New York City so I know how you feel about most of your paycheck going to bills! I’m so grateful to my mom who taught me, even as a young girl, to save a bit of what I earn and to budget accordingly. Being self-employed, I’ve come to understand just how important that is.

    xo, Jo
    http://www.cutandchic.com

  • Sydney Style Blogger

    Hi Linh! What a great post! I was definitely financially independent prior to organising my wedding! haha, after the wedding is done, we are definitely back on the bandwagon to achieve financial independence as couple and a family and I’m pretty sure its going to look a little different to the single life but with a lot of the same concepts such as travel and and living in comfort <3

    http://www.sydney-styleblogger.blogspot.com.au

  • Jenn Hanft

    This was a great post! I’d love to be financially independent too but it’s just so hard with life happening. But I’m definitely making an effort to save and be aware of what is necessary versus what I want. A lot of people today definitely need to give this a read for a clearer insight on how to plan. Thanks for sharing!!

    XO Jenn
    http://www.jennsemble.com

  • Miki

    This is great post. I totally agree. I didn’t properly start saving until first year of university and wish I had done so sooner. I actually love eating at home because I can control the ingredients. It’s healthier and often easier on the wallet.

    Xo,
    Miki
    http://mikialamode.com

  • Candace

    I am praying that I one day become financially independent. Living paycheck to paycheck honestly sucks and I know firsthand how that is being in student loan debt. I just really want to work for myself, knowing that I’ll be happy doing what I truly love. Praying that day comes soon! Thanks for the tips 🙂

    http://www.thebeautybeau.com/

  • Christine Kong

    This is such a great topic and one that everyone of all ages can benefit from. I honestly didn’t become financially independent until I was working and had to start saving for my wedding. That really helped me set goals and budgets and pay off my loans within a year of working. I still struggle now and then from my shopping habits and wish lists, but it is nice to have that freedom and sense of responsibility not to rely on anyone else. Thanks for sharing! xoxo, Christine
    http://dailykongfidence.com/

  • Jo

    This is a great post to read – I am married with kid so we are not just thinking about our own future but also for our kid’s. We are trying to save certain percentages of our incomes for the retirement as well as the college fund.

    xo,
    Jo
    http://www.glamfashionbook.com

  • Stephanie

    Ahhhh I wish so badly to be financially independent. So does Brandon! We’ve both been stressing lately while thinking about him trying to get his own apartment, because he has no idea how to keep afloat with two jobs already when paying for bills, car, and apartment, and gosh .. a date night every once in a while? It’s crazy to think that most young adults really will always have to live paycheck to paycheck unless a miracle happens! Good luck to you, babe!

    Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com

  • Gigi

    I think making a plan for yourself is definitely the first step in taking control of your finances! I’m married and recently bought a house which makes finances even more scarier. If something happens to one of our incomes, do we have enough saved to support ourselves and keep our house until we regroup? It’s definitely a scary reality we live in! I definitely believe in saving 20-30 percent of your income straight into a savings account that you can’t touch! xx

  • Thomas Falkenstedt

    Dear Linh, you’re touching a subject that has been on my mind for so long now. As I started blogging merely 3 months ago I realized THAT is what I actually want to do full time as it would give me the freedom to do basically what I want, but until I make enough money on the blog to support my (high) standards and to pay off bills I still need to keep my 9-5 job. However, just like you I’ve made very similar plans as you have and will definitely try to become my own boss and decide exactly what I want to do and when to do it. Thanks for a great post that inspired me to pursue my dream!
    xoxo
    Thomas

    http://www.thomasfalkenstedt.com/2016/10/28/heroism/

  • Atsuna Matsui

    Yes I’m always on that work grind to work my way up career wise. I loved your definition of what being financially independent is and I’d have to say it’s same for me! I just hate the office life of living in a cubicle so I want to live that freelance life so I can work on my schedule, but still not worry to live paycheck to paycheck.

    xoxo
    http://www.atsunamatsui.com