I think the key to financial freedom is residual or passive income sufficient to meet your basic needs. If you do not need to get out of bed every morning to go to work so you do not starve or lose your house then you own each day. It took a long time for me to get there because of divorce. Something else I would add to the above is do not marry someone who does not share your financial goals. They will lay waste to all your earnings while you attempt to gain independence. Once you get that first rent house or small business started, it will grow itself as long as you nurture it. It may move slow in the beginning but once you have momentum it will take on a life of its own. Good luck everybody.