Financial freedom unlocks the door to the lifestyle you deserve. Think of all you could do if money were a gateway instead of a roadblock. Although the thought may seem unimaginable, monetary security is achievable with patience, focus and determination. Here are three tips to follow while on your journey to financial freedom:

Prioritize Your Future

To truly commit to financial freedom, you must be future minded. In most cases, financial security takes time to achieve. This means you will be required to consistently make decisions that benefit your overall goal, instead of being tempted by temporary satisfaction. During your building stages, one wrong move has the potential to set you back significantly. Due to the spendable nature of money, you are always only one major purchase away from erasing years of hard work. You must keep that in mind and save accordingly, always prioritizing your financial future.

Remain Disciplined

Financial freedom and discipline go hand-in-hand. In order to be free, you must first do the work. First, define your expected outcome. Next, outline the steps needed to make it happen. Last, chase your goal without cessation. These three moves will get you where you need to be, if you remain disciplined. But remember, you’re not in this alone. Find a responsible accountability partner who will check in and help you stay the course. The person you choose should be willing to talk you out of making a purchase or financial decision that doesn’t serve the greater good. When you reach your goal, you will have already created a habit of exercising discipline, which will then help you maintain the financial freedom you’ve built. 

Create a Budget

On the road to financial freedom, it’s important to plan ahead. A budget will show the funds that are coming in as well as the money that needs to go out. Once you’ve accurately detailed both, you’ll be able to see exactly what you need to do to secure your future. Instead of spending freely and saving what’s left, you’ll have an opportunity to ensure that you always save before spending a dime. Your budget will differentiate luxury from necessity and may encourage you to spend much less than you have been in the past. But it also gives you the perfect opportunity to get creative. By being aware of unnecessary purchases, you can replace them with cost effective alternatives. If you stick to following your budget, you’ll be on your way to financial freedom in no time.

You may have dreamt of an early retirement, trips around the world or unbridled philanthropy, but were unsure of how to get there. If you’ve experienced debt or made a few financial mistakes, it’s easy to think financial freedom is beyond your reach – it is not. No matter your starting point or financial history, you can create the future of your dreams. Use the three guidelines outlined above to start your journey to financial freedom.