“Often times, a clearer and more defined path appears once we see through the fears and bias’s that keep us from reaching our true intentions.”
Often times we hear the words “financial freedom†and “financial independenceâ€. But what do those words really mean? We hear these words and assume that we should be chasing something that will make us happy and whole. It’s really difficult to chase, let alone attain, something that we haven’t truly and completely defined for ourselves yet. What makes it even harder, is that finding meaning in things is always based on personal perspective and one’s own journey.
To start defining what financial freedom means to you, ask yourself some important questions (before you do, take a few minutes to quiet your mind and allow your awareness to come to the forefront. This may change your answers and allow you to dig deeper).
- When I am 90 years old and looking back at my life, what would need to have happened for me to feel like my life had purpose?
- What does financial independence mean to me? How does this fit into my life goals and why do I feel this way?
- If I had absolutely no money worries and could do whatever I wanted, that didn’t have to do with acquiring money, what would it be?
These are just a few examples of questions I go through with clients who are in the goal setting process. To answer the question of what financial independence really means, you sometimes have to pretend as if the very problem of money does not exist. It’s only by eliminating the illusions around having “enough†money, that we can truly get to the root of what we really want. Let’s pretend it’s all there… What now?
We can tap into what’s really important after we quiet down the fear, worry, and mind chatter around not having enough. By quieting down the chatter you may be surprised at what you really want and need. Often times, a clearer and more defined path appears once we see through the fears and bias’s that keep us from reaching our true intentions. Clarified intentions can be crucial in helping to establish more accurate and customized financial strategies to achieve your goals. More often than not, what most people seek is quality of life, not just more money. Money plays a big role in opening up doors and freedoms to experience and flourish, but money is just one part of the equation to increasing quality of life. Without the other ingredients, more money will not have as much value in increasing quality. It may even have hidden costs that are not easily seen.
These are the beginning stages where you start to clarify what financial independence really means for you personally. Don’t let society or your conditioned mind decide for you. There is a lot more depth under the surface.
Clode Moradi, MSPFP, CFP®
Clode is an independent Certified Financial Planner™ and has a Post-CFP® Masters Degree in Advanced Personal Financial Planning, from Kansas State University, one of the most prominent financial planning universities in the nation. He graduated at the top of his class with a 4.0 GPA and was awarded a nomination and acceptance into the honorary society of Phi Kappa Phi to represent the importance of higher education in the Financial Planning industry.
Clode specializes in taxation, retirement, and investment planning as they relate to personal goals and quality of life. He also holds a Graduate Level Certification in Financial Therapy, and has written extensive research articles on financial topics such as goal based portfolio construction, how to define “financial success”, money psychology and its manifested human behaviors, and various other topics related to finance, taxation, and human behavior as they relate to one’s quality of life. Clode also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Personal Financial Planning, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Franklin University of Ohio. He is an active member of the Financial Planning Association and Financial Therapy Association.
Clode is the founder of Brilliant Financial Strategies, LLC. He started in the financial industry more than 20 years ago and created BFS as a platform to offer financial planning at a much deeper level. Clode feels that Financial Planning needs to break out and surpass the status quo. “Our job is to help clients make use of their financial potential to build a meaningful life”.
He enjoys spending quality time with his wonderful family. Clode’s hobbies include saltwater fishing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Clode is the creator of a group called Kool Kids Fish that introduces kids and their parents to the hobby of fishing, as a means of spending quality time together. Clode also coaches a kids Jiu-Jitsu Competition class at Gracie Barra La Canada-Flintridge, where he works with kids and teens that compete in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments nationally. One of his most valued personal accomplishments is receiving his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from ADCC world champion Orlando Sanchez of Gracie Barra.
Clode’s approach to life, money, and financial planning is to create quality of life through balance and honest self-reflection. He believes that abundance can only have value when there is balance in one’s household, family, and internal being. He brings this approach to all aspects of life.
Disclaimers
This article is for reference and informational purposes only and does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. It is for guidance only and not a substitute for the user seeking personalized financial planning and professional advice. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own financial, tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.