I came across this article on one of my leaders journal, he writes book, he wrote about getting financialy free before 40, so i thought i would make a post out of it, this post is not completely my idea, but borrowed inspiration added to mine.
Before coming across this article There’s this thing that keeps ringing in my head lately and that is why i was compelled to write about this. It’s like the older I get, the more I realise how important it is to have my finances in check. If there’s one lesson life has shown me over and over again, it’s that financial freedom doesn’t come by accident, it comes with a plan. And the earlier you figure that out, the better.
Many of us spend our 20s just vibing through life. Trying different jobs, trying to find ourselves, and honestly just surviving. But once you cross into your 30s, reality starts setting in. Responsibilities increase. Family might come in, bills increase, and suddenly you can’t afford to joke with money anymore.
So, I want to talk about this, not like a financial expert or anything. I’m just a regular person trying to fix things before I hit 40. If you’re in the same shoes, maybe some of what I’ve learned so far will help.
1 Understand Your Money Habits
The first thing I had to do was sit down and be honest with myself. Where is my money going? What exactly do I spend on that leaves me broke before month end? It’s not easy to face the truth, but if you don’t know your spending pattern, you can’t change it.
I found out that most of my money was going into things that don’t add any long term value. Impulse buying, ordering food too much, buying clothes I don’t even wear twice. Once I saw all that clearly, it became easier to cut back.
2 Budgeting Is Not A Trap
Some people hate the word “budget” like it means suffering. But truth is, budgeting gives you freedom. When you plan your money, you’re able to make better choices. It doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your money, it just helps you be intentional with how you use it.
I started with the 40/40/20 rule:
40% for savings and investment
40% on needs
20% on wants
the basic original rule is 50/30/20 rule:
50% on needs
30% on wants
20% for savings and investment
I didn’t follow it perfectly, but at least it gave me structure. And that structure is what changed everything for me.
3 Debt Is A Thief
One of my biggest mistakes was borrowing money to keep myself together. It took me years to realise that debt is not just about money, it takes your peace too. It keeps you in a cycle that’s hard to break out from.
Before 40, I want to be completely debt-free. That’s my goal now. I’m taking it one step at a time. Paying off small debts first, then working my way up. If you can, avoid unnecessary loans. If you’re already in, start paying them down gradually.
4 Start Saving, Even If It's Small
Don’t wait until you’re earning big to start saving. That was another mistake I made. I thought I needed to have a certain amount of income before saving made sense. But truth is, saving is more about consistency than amount.
Even if it’s just 1k every week, do it. Put it in a separate account you don’t touch. Over time, you’ll see how it adds up. Saving also teaches you discipline. And trust me, discipline is key when it comes to money.
5 Learn About Investing
Saving is good, but it won’t make you rich. You need to learn how to grow your money. I didn’t grow up learning about investing, and most people around me didn’t talk about it either. But thanks to the internet, I’ve started learning bit by bit.
You don’t need to start big. Start small. Learn about stocks, crypto, real estate, or even just fixed deposits. But don’t just jump in because people are hyping it. Understand what you’re doing first. Learn before you leap.
6 Think Long Term
One question I started asking myself recently is “Will my future self thank me for what I’m doing now?”
It changed my mindset. Sometimes we focus too much on short term pleasures, and forget that we’re getting older. Before 40, I want to be at a point where even if I stop working for a while, I won’t go broke. That’s the dream. That’s the goal.
7 Get Financial Education
You don’t have to go to school to learn about money. Read books, follow finance blogs, listen to podcasts, join communities like Leofinance. The more you learn, the better you handle money.
I used to think money management was only for rich people. But I realise now that the earlier you learn, the faster you can build wealth. Information is power.
8 Cut Off Comparison
One of the biggest things that mess up finances is trying to live like others. Social media is full of pressure. You see people buying cars, houses, going on vacations, and you start feeling like you’re behind.
Everybody has their own timing. Focus on your lane. Set your own goals. Work on yourself. It’s not a race.
The Truth
I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m not where I used to be either. The goal is not just to make money, but to control it. Before 40, I want to have peace of mind financially, and I believe it’s possible.
Start small. Be consistent. Learn every day. Fix what you can now, so the future won’t be harder than it needs to be.
Lets take our finances serious now, not later.
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