What Freedom Price

Today I am talking about Freedom in a conventional sense: not Free Will, not political or free speech types of freedom. Free will is too big for me to tackle. I don't have the brain power.

I'd like to focus this question on Financial Freedom. What price does this freedom come with?

If you want monetary freedom, do you need to give up anything extra that might require funds? Or do you just have to plan on being well-off? It seems to me that 'giving up' is easier than trying to get rich. In other words, does the monetary freedom come from 'not wanting' as opposed to 'having an abundance'?

Do you ever feel that your desires trap you, and enslave you from being free? Example: you own a big house because you can afford it, or you want/desire it. Then you spend your days in a career to able to afford it. Are you now a slave to your material desires, specifically your house? Are you suddenly a slave to your own circumstances? Are you a slave to other peoples expectations and dreams?

Does a five year old have a desire to keep up with his peers? Or is he happy, content in his own sandbox, his own world? When did we 'learn' or get imprinted with the idea that 'the great american dream' was worth pursuing? How come there are not more alternatives? As a collective, the media and advertising pretty much push one agenda. Make money, spend money to be happy; make money to be financially free. To me, the chains that bind are rarely the one's that set you free.

As part of a greater society, there are certain things we are not free to do: take other peoples things, not pay our fair share of taxes, hurt someone, run red lights, etc. Beyond that, there are a lot of freedoms that we should be grateful to have. One of them is to choose how and what we value on a personal level, what we choose to do with our limited time here on earth. For me, its how to get off the money merry-go-round; achieve real financial freedom in the abandonment of its pursuit.

Your Money or Your Life. Why didn't this idea catch on? This was published nearly 20 years ago.

So, Foolish Question of the Day: Are you making a living, or making a life?