The Truth About Financial Freedom

That No One Wants to Hear

The things you believe about yourself—and about the world—will determine whether or not you achieve success.

Period.

I was reminded of this when I got a comment on my recent financial freedom video. I had talked about Dave Ramsey’s baby steps, Die With Zero, and the importance of being intentional with money—basic, common-sense financial principles.

The comment?

"Don't you understand how bad things are? Most people are working three jobs, barely making ends meet, and still can’t afford necessities—much less saving or investing."

This is exactly the kind of thinking that keeps people stuck. And the irony? One of the short-form clips I pulled from the video was literally just me saying:

"Create a freaking budget."

Because budgeting is the first step toward financial control. It helps you afford necessities, prioritize spending, and, eventually, start investing for the future. But most people don’t do it—which is why most people aren’t financially free.

At first, I was annoyed. Another negative, defeatist comment. My initial reaction? Delete it. Who needs that energy?

But I immediately regretted it. Because this attitude is exactly why I need to talk about this more.

The Generational “Woe Is Me” Mindset

Every generation thinks they have it worse. Millennials and Gen Z say:

"Boomers had it easy! Home prices were lower, wages were better, and we’ve had to deal with the housing crisis, hyperinflation, and student debt!"

And you know what? In many ways, they’re right.

Financial challenges are real. The system isn’t fair. But guess what? The principles that create financial stability haven’t changed.

A budget was important 30 years ago—and it’s even more important now. The same principles that built wealth for past generations still work today.

But when people hear that, they default to:

"Well, that advice doesn’t apply to me because the economy is bad."

No. The worse the economy is, the more you need to follow time-tested financial principles.

And this is why so many people dismiss Dave Ramsey’s advice. They scoff at his $1,000 emergency fund or his 15-year fixed mortgage rule, saying, That doesn’t work in today’s economy!

But the principle isn’t about inflation for who’s in the Whitehouse—it’s about discipline. It’s about the mindset shift. If you don’t start somewhere, you’ll never start at all.

The Borrower is Slave to the Lender

This is where people get stuck. They see the external challenges and say:

"Why bother? The system is rigged anyway."

That’s exactly what keeps you trapped. Because financial freedom isn’t just about money—it’s about choice. And debt? Debt is a prison.

There’s an old poem by Rudyard Kipling, The Gods of the Copybook Headings, where he warns about societies abandoning timeless truths in favor of whatever’s fashionable. One line stands out:

"The burnt fool’s bandaged finger goes wobbling back to the fire."

We keep making the same mistakes. We ignore the fundamentals, thinking this time is different, and then we’re shocked when history repeats itself.

That’s exactly what’s happening now. People reject basic financial wisdom because it’s inconvenient or it doesn’t seem fair. But ignoring reality doesn’t change reality.

This Is Why It Matters

I’m going to be talking a lot more about financial freedom because it’s not just about money—it’s about designing a life that aligns with your values.

If that resonates with you, subscribe to my YouTube channel and share this newsletter with a friend!

Until next time,

MTFBWY,

-Riley