Everyone out there has a dream. For many its the traditional “American Dream” of getting married, having a couple kids, and owning their own home. For others its the idea of traveling the globe, experiencing different places, cultures, and feeling a sense of connection in all corners of the world. For many its the idea of cutting the strings to their 9-5 job and retiring at a young age. Yet there are some who are still figuring out what exactly it is they want out of life.

For as long as I can remember I was brought up to believe that the “American Dream” was the only dream. My parents worked hard, got married, had a couple of kids, bought a house… sound familiar? Then like so many other families, they wanted more, needed more. A boat, a lake home, nicer newer vehicles, fancier clothes. In no time at all the house filled up with expensive items that we “needed” and soon we found ourselves “needing” a bigger house to fit them all in. Before we knew it the payments on all of these items forced my dad into working another job. He worked hard and built an income producing business, but the money always went. They were smart enough to save some for retirement, and always seemed to budget enough that the bills all got paid. We never fell behind, but we never got ahead either.

We always had nice things… a nice home, nice vehicles, nice clothes. We never went without, or so we thought. It didn’t take long and the financial burden of all these “things” started to really take a toll. My dad was always working, my mom and us kids were always wanting more. As years passed by living in this routine my dad became more of a visitor than a parent. My sister and I would rarely see him, my mom would see him even less. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this distance couldn’t continue, the family fell apart and my parents divorced.

This story, as sad as it is, is becoming increasingly more common in today’s society. Our wants and our inherited idea of needs has overcome our sensibility. We are placing a higher value on possessions than the people in our lives. Having watched my parents go through this, the struggle, and the devastation… I knew that I didn’t want to follow in this path. So I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t. I decided I would make my own rules to live by, and not give a damn what society thought about the way I live my life.

Once I realized I could make my own rules, the possibilities were limitless. I’ve decided to buck the trend of the “Traditional American Dream” and decide for myself what really matters. If you follow my blog you will learn why I’ve decided to take an alternate route on this journey we call life, how I plan to do it differently, and what I learn along the way. My message is not for you to follow my way of life, but like me; to make your own rules.

Welcome to Financing for Freedom, I hope in sharing my story and journey with you that you will be able to figure out exactly what you want out of your life, ways to get ahead financially, and how to make your own rules to live by.