This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Escape financial survival mode
From watching and listening to others and how they interacted with money, I quickly learned that financial struggle and not earning enough to cover your means and a little more was not ideal.
I aimed to escape poverty-level earnings and experience financial options, independence, and freedom.
So here’s what I did to prepare myself for the financial survival escape:
Investing
I lucked out. My parents brought a financial advisor to our home to set up ROTH IRA accounts as kids. So I started investing relatively early even though I didn’t know what I was doing.
But I did know if you invest, your money magically grows. I also knew that you would lose money, and for some reason, that never bothered me. Over time, I quickly learned losses were always recovered when you’re in it for the long haul.
Education
My parents thankfully had us read personal finance books at the dinner table, and then I continued learning about money.
It was a fascinating subject, and if you’re living with and as the most of civilization, you will require financial resources to provide for yourself.
Two concepts stuck out to me:
Investing: The sooner you start, the easier it will be to build wealth.
Passive Income: The ability to earn without consistently investing energy and time is the greatest way to live.
Live Below My Means
Most people around me continuously lived above their means, creating a never-ending financial struggle.
People bought big houses, new cars, clothes, and meaningless gadgets, and they all seemed stuck and always complaining about money.
Hmmmm….what if I do the opposite?
I still spent money on food, travel, and occasional items I strongly desired, but materialistic desires never ran my finances.
Something else I quickly learned about living below my means is that you build wealth when you maintain financial excess – it’s inevitable.
Multiple Income Streams
Never rely on one source of income – always have multiple to safeguard yourself from life.
Life happens – a layoff should never mean much to you financially.
Delay Credit Card Ownership
I didn’t get my first credit card until after graduating college, and I consider myself lucky. I am unsure why I didn’t get a credit card beforehand. I could’ve used it, but I’m glad I didn’t. It forced me to value the concept of credit, living within my means, and spending less than I earn.
Credit cards make it easy to spend more than you earn.
However, a credit card cannot harm you if you don’t have frivolous spending habits.
Avoid Overly Materialistic Habits – Adopt A Minimalist Mentality
Come into my place, and you won’t find much.
A valuable lesson learned early on: Stuff is meaningless for the most part.
You don’t ever need it, and if you can learn to delay desires or not over-engage in them, you’ll be financially better off than most consumed by materialistic habits.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.