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For most of us, the idea of being financially independent is only something we dream of.  There is a group of us that really believe this is not just a fantasy but a vision however.  We believe that living below our means, maxing out retirement accounts, paying off debt and mortgages, and saving consistently will allow us to achieve freedom.  We will be free from money issues, free from our constant struggle at work, and free from holding back on doing what we are passionate about. 

Throughout my life, I have been trying to save.  There were countless times when I wanted to buy something but at the end did not get it because I did not want to spend the money.  From a bottle of coke to that new car I wanted, I stopped myself again and again because I know that buying would mean wasting my hard earned money.  I have used those compound interest calculators so often that I can instinctively calculate the magnitude of how much my purchase would be worth in retirement if I just hold off. 

I feel bad when I turn on air conditioning.  Therefore, I end up never turning it on.  Sometimes it is so hot that I keep sweating and feel miserable.  Yet I struggle through it, thinking that if I can hold off this one time, I could save that extra few cents that will help me become financially free sooner. 

On the other end of the spectrum is my friend.  He practices live in the moment and worry about tomorrow later.  He has 4 cars in his possession, lives in a very nice house, and goes out to dinner every night.  When you look at the two of us, you would think that we were living in different worlds!  Maybe he is not worried about retirement, but he is definitely having fun now.   

My friend constantly reminds me that although I might have a richer retirement, he definitely lives a richer life than I do at this moment.  The fact that he is able to live rich for 20 years should be the same as me being able to live rich 20 years after retirement.  He is right in a way, and I sometimes see myself being jealous of how he is now. 

There are always pros and cons of everything.  Whether it is me or my friend, we have made choices.  I am those people that like to tough it out at the beginning, and have a happy ending.  If you want to live rich now, be like my friend by all means.  No one is stopping you, because it is your life. 

I feel like I am better off than my friend, because I feel secure knowing I am working for my future.  I know that I’m getting closer and closer to be financially secure, something my friend never was and probably never will be.  I know that I will live my later years quite comfortably, because throughout my life I have worked hard to make sure this happens.  If you are trying to save diligently and feel burned out from it, remember the following two sentences.  Perhaps we are giving up many materialistic things right now for the future, but what we are gaining is piece of mind.  We know what we are doing is the right thing for us, and nothing in life can substitute this feeling. 

One day, I will declare my own independence day!