#024: 3 Decisions to Financial Freedom

Words I believe: Financial freedom is less about how much you make and more about how well you manage it.

Our Journey to Financial Freedom

When my husband (then boyfriend) and I were dating in college, our tiny apartment became the stage for some big conversations.

Both of us had grown up watching our families struggle with money. We knew we wanted something different — a future where finances didn’t control every decision.

One day, sitting on our not-so-comfy couch, he looked at me and boldly said:

“I want to retire by 35.”

Now, “retire” didn’t mean stop working. For him, it meant waking up every day with the freedom to choose what he wanted to do with his time. I smiled and said, “I’m in.”

That single moment planted the seed for our financial freedom.

The 3 Decisions That Got Us There by 30

1. We lived on one income.
We agreed to live off the smaller paycheck and use the rest to save and invest. It wasn’t glamorous (hello ramen noodles), but it gave us stability and momentum early on.

Here’s what I realized: it doesn’t matter how much you make, it’s about how well you manage it. We chose to live below our means back then, and we still do to this day.

For those of you who are single, an alternative option is to live off of 50% of your income if possible. 

2. We saved our first $100K fast.
I’ll never forget this day: my husband was driving me to work, and I turned to him and said, “Honey, we need to save our first $100,000.”

He glanced over, probably wondering if I was serious. Then he nodded and said, “Let’s do it.”

That same year, we hit the goal. And that $100K? It opened so many doors, from bigger investments to the confidence that financial freedom wasn’t just a dream.

Recently, someone asked me what I’d recommend for people just beginning to build wealth. My answer? Save your first $100K. 

The moment you do, opportunities start to multiply. That said, I know everyone’s financial situation is different, which is why I always start with an actual assessment. Depending on your goals and starting point, I may recommend something else first. The good news? We all have options.

3. We paid off debt (and only kept strategic debt later).
We tackled every debt we had. Today, the only debt we carry is leveraged. The kind that helps us build income-generating assets instead of holding us back.

The Lesson

Those three choices became the foundation for everything: four companies (and counting), diversified investments, and the ability to live life on our own terms.

Here’s the truth: financial freedom isn’t about making millions overnight, it’s about making intentional decisions with the money you do have.

Want to know what your best first step is?

Schedule your free financial freedom assessment, and together we’ll map out a simple starting point that works for your goals.

With ease + simplicity,
Valincia

P.S. Yes, we eventually upgraded from ramen noodles. But honestly? Sometimes we still eat it for nostalgia. 🍜