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Getting Started on the Road to Financial Freedom
By DaveM | May 6, 2007
I’ve been to so many personal finance sites that just blog about new topics all the time, but they don’t offer guidance on what do first, second, and so on. They just expect you to read all their posts and figure it out for yourself.
That approach doesn’t work for me, and I suspect it doesn’t work for you either.
Here are some things you absolutely must do (IMHO) if you’re just getting started on the road to financial freedom:
- Read “The Key to Financial Freedom.” I wrote it long ago, it’s short and to the point, and it explains a lot about the basic foundation this site is built on.
- Think very seriously about getting on a budget. I know most people hate the “B word” with a passion, but it can actually be fun and exciting if done correctly.
I use and fully endorse a method of budgeting known as zero-based envelope budgeting. You can learn everything you need to know about this incredibly powerful system from Jesse Mecham over at You Need A Budget (YNAB).
In addition to what you’ll learn at YNAB, I’d also encourage to you download and read Money for Life (PDF download). It’s a free ebook that presents an enjoyable and engaging story to teach the power of envelope budgeting and powerful money management. - If you (like me) are challenged by any of the following: staying focused on your goals, procrastination, mild bouts of depression, or doubts that you can ever be debt free and financially independent, then I encourage you to read about a little something I like to call “Brain Hacks.”
These three key items should give you a great head start and keep you busy for a little while. I feel these items are the best place to start because they are essential for getting, and staying, on the road to debt-free financial independence.
If you complete all of the above recommendations and you’re still hungry for more, then visit my free article archives for some extra reading.