During the pandemic, the idea of sustaining “financial independence” gained serious traction. This is because the time out of work for many caused the realization of what could be possible if you could just live off of your assets and did not constantly have to exchange your time for money in a typical 9-to-5 job.  

 

Now more than ever, this is a goal that many people set out towards, even if far in the future. While it definitely is not something that can be achieved overnight, certain mistakes can make financial independence difficult to attain at all. Here are a few reasons you are having trouble reaching financial independence. 

 

Not Having Quantifiable Goals 

 

There is no hiding the fact that reaching financial independence is a lofty, yet realistic goal. This means you will most likely have to sacrifice if you want to achieve this, especially earlier on in life.  

 

Saving and investing could be the key to reaching financial independence, especially if your plan is to live off of your compounded assets. Be as aggressive as you possibly can in throwing money towards your savings, even if that means cutting back on eating out and other non-essential spending in your day-to-day life.  

 

Falling Victim to Lifestyle Inflation 

 

Getting a raise at work or picking up an extra source of income could seriously boost the pace at which you reach financial independence if you play your cards right. However, earning more money often means that people will adjust their lifestyle accordingly in the short term.  

 

These short-term upticks in spending habits can essentially nullify your extra earnings relevance toward your long-term financial goals. Use these opportunities wisely and convert them into extra savings opportunities instead.