Financial independence is having the financial freedom to support yourself through your own efforts by personal budgeting. Here are seven fundamental budgeting tips that will help you to manage money to maintain financial independence.
1. Express Gratitude
Financial independence begins with gratitude. Set aside a daily period to offer a sincere thank you for every blessing in your life. Include people, places, possessions, talents, and memories. Offer gratitude for your future dreams as though they were already in your possession.
Gratitude will allow you to attract the blessings you want. When they arrive, protect them from the thieves that could rob you of your financial independence.
2. Liberate Your Future
Debts of the past are thieves of the future but you can bank on saving money. If you want financial peace, live a simple life style that does not create unnecessary personal debt. Living with class does not require being extravagant. If you are conservative most of the time, you can be extravagant at the right times.
Do not allow credit card companies to hold your future hostage. Take control. Seek professional help to get rid of credit card debt that robs you of high monthly interest payments. Borrowing is a tool that should produce a return on your investment, not cost your future security.
3. Commit to Wellness
Your health is also an asset that you need to protect. Wellness allows you to manage and enjoy financial freedom. Get regular physical checkups and maintain a sensible physician-approved exercise program. These can help to minimize illnesses and maximize the rewards of a productive life.
Maintaining wellness requires an ongoing commitment. Another area of commitment that is equally important to financial freedom is one of personal financial discipline.
4. Develop a Saving Discipline
A financially independent future requires saving, and saving requires discipline. As credit card debt diminishes, savings can begin to increase. An emergency savings fund of six to twelve months living expenses is a wise idea.For that you need to manage money by personal budgeting using softwares like mvelopes, microsoft money, quicken..etc. You will also want major long-term savings plans for such goals as education and retirement.
Do not expect the government to take care of your financial future. If you want to remain financially independent, take ultimate responsibility for every chapter of your financial life. That responsibility begins with wise investing and respect for money.
5. Invest Wisely and Respect Money
My father taught me to have several investments that produce an ongoing, passive income. These investments are like "feeding geese that lay golden eggs". Passive income streams also provide additional capital to place in other financial growth investments.
Respect for money is the beginning of saving and investing. Respect for a dollar begins with respect for a penny. You will always have dollars if you take care of your pennies. Even the smallest of assets and investments need protection.
6. Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Ensuring the safety of your financial assets is part of doing this.Adequate insurance coverage for your life, health, and property is a wise investment. You should also use professional legal, financial, and security services to help protect your business, property, and all the things you have worked to acquire.
7. Design Your Financial Independence with Qualified Help
To become financially independent its not necessary to be a financial expert, but its necessary to be a financially literate.Seek some expert advice on financial planning for taxes and accounting.
(C) Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve, the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, which helps you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com
Steve Brunkhorst may be contacted at http://www.achieveezine.com 
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