Thomas Edison famously said “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.”

I think the same principle applies to financial freedom. However, I would say it like this.

“Financial freedom is 1% technique and 99% behavior.”

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I meet with clients all the time and they all want the same thing.

They want the golden ticket.

The “get out of jail free” card.

The “secrets the wealthy don’t want you to know about.”

I’m sorry to burst your bubble… but it doesn’t exist.

Your behavior is the biggest determining factor of your financial freedom.


That being said, there are some things that we can do to increase the likelihood of achieving financial freedom.

These are what I call “low hanging fruit.”

  • DO NOT KEEP ANY CREDIT CARD DEBT
      1. It’s never worth it. If you don’t have the cash in your bank account to pay for it, you can’t afford it. This doesn’t mean I’m against credit cards, just make sure each statement is paid in full.
  • Put tomorrow’s needs ahead of today’s wants
      1. Having an “extended time horizon” is a HUGE predictor of financial success.
  • Don’t leave an employer match on the table
      1. If your company offers a financial match, and you don’t take full advantage, you’re turning down free money!
  • Create an emergency fund
      1. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Start with $500 – then $1,000. Eventually, you’ll want to shoot for 6 months of living expenses.
      2. Currently, 37% of Americans don’t have the cash to cover a $400 emergency. Don’t be one of them!
  • Write down your financial goals
    1. Write them down, keep them visible, work towards them actively.

The last one is – in my opinion – the most important.

“What gets measured gets improved”