Even the average Jane (or John) can take these 9 steps to financial freedom. It really can be doable – online and during your off hours.

Have you ever logged into your bank account, blinked twice, and thought, “Uhm, there’s a couple of zeroes missing at the end there…” Or, have you laid on your couch on a lazy Sunday, scrolling through the exotic vacation spots on Instagram, imagining yourself sipping a chilled piña colada on a sun-kissed beach, all while your money is hustling harder than a caffeine-fueled squirrel? If you answered “heck yes” to both, then we’re going to get along just fine.

For all the Janes, Joans, and Jills out there, who’ve once too often used their oven for storage rather than cooking (guilty as charged), this one’s for you. Because guess what? Financial freedom isn’t just for the ones who have a Wall Street subscription or those who can pronounce “charcuterie” correctly on the first try. Nope, it’s attainable for all of us.

So, lace up those budget-friendly sneakers, grab a mug of that store-brand coffee you claim tastes just like the fancy stuff, and let’s dive right into my 9 Steps to Financial Freedom. Trust me, by the end of this, you’ll be dreaming bigger than that oversized hat you bought on a whim and wore exactly once. (C’mon, we all have one.)

9 Steps to Financial Freedom We Can All Do

---

This post may contain affiliate links. This means I could earn a commission if you purchase through my links, however, there is no cost to you. Rest assured, I only promote products that I use or think are great. Thanks for reading!

1. The Great Financial Awakening: Know Thyself!

Alright, before we start plotting world domination via financial freedom, there’s a small pit stop we need to make: your current financial landscape. Kind of like checking your reflection before you leave the house – messy bun, check; chic glasses, check; that stain from morning coffee… drat.

Dive into those bank statements, and not just with a casual glance. Put on your best detective hat (or, you know, those oversized reading glasses) and really dissect what’s going on. You might find out that those avocado toasts you’ve been indulging in could, over a month, rival the budget of a small indie film.

Knowing where your money is (or, ahem, isn’t) is the first step in mastering it. After all, you can’t map out a journey if you don’t know your starting point.

2. Spend Wisely, and a Little Less: Be a Smart Shopaholic

We’ve all been there. Standing in front of a sale rack, contemplating if we really need the neon green leopard print pants because, well, they’re 50% off! (News flash: We don’t. Unless you’re going for the ‘lost-in-the-jungle-party-goer’ look.)

But, it’s not about zipping up our wallets and throwing them in the abyss of “never-to-be-opened.” Nah, it’s about opening them at the right moments, for the right things – mainly so we have more dollars to help fund our 9 steps to financial freedom.

• Quality Over Quantity: Remember that time you bought 5 cheap tees on a whim and they transformed into crop tops after one wash? Next time, consider investing in one good-quality tee that promises not to moonlight as a belly dancer’s attire.
• The Three-Day Rule: Spotted those killer heels? Or that gadget you’re pretty sure will change your life? Wait three days. If you still dream about them, go for it. If not, congrats. Your wallet just had a narrow escape.
• Coupon Hunt: Before any purchase, online or offline, become a mini detective. Look for coupons, promo codes, cashback offers, or that friend who has an uncanny knack for finding discounts. Every penny saved is a penny that can be spent on funding your freedom.

Time Your Buys: Retail therapy after a bad day feels good, but shopping during sale season feels great. Also, did you know many products have specific months when they’re typically discounted? September for electronics, post-Christmas for winter wear. It’s like nature’s way of saying, “Treat yourself, but be savvy about it.”

3. Start an Online Side Hustle: Your Pocket’s Secret Weapon

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, saving small amounts of money throughout your day is great, and it can add up, but it is not likely, for most of us anyway, that it will make you financially free. There are only so many coffees to bring from home or coupons to clip. You need to make more money to fund your dreams.

This is where the magic of an online side hustle comes into play. You don’t need to leave your day job, or your house for that matter. You can start a hustle on the side, from home.

Imagine taking that little spark of passion you’ve always had, maybe it’s for vintage cat eye sunglasses or those quirky DIY crafts you’ve been mastering during lockdown, and turning it into your very own gold mine. Dreamy, right?

There are so many side hustles that you can start that don’t cost much if anything to start:

• Open your own online store with Shopify.
• Start a blog by getting a domain name and hosting at Bluehost.
• Pick a niche and product and start doing affiliate marketing on social media.
• Create a course and put it up on Teachable.
• Buy a Master Resell Rights product and sell it under your own brand name.

If you want details on any of these ideas or more, check out my post Get off the 9 to 5 Hamster Wheel: Passive Online Side Hustles from Home.

4. Level-Up with Knowledge: Invest in Learning

Remember those old school days when the most significant investments were gel pens and glittery notebooks? (Ah, the smell of fresh stationary!) Well, we’re adults now (at least on most days), and it’s time to upgrade.

You’ve heard the phrase, “Knowledge is power,” right? Let me tweak that for you: “Knowledge isn’t just power; it’s your backstage pass to the money concert.” And who doesn’t love a good VIP experience?

You are not going to know everything right off the bat or even after you’ve been at it for a while. I’m always investing in courses to up my game.

Two that I’ve done an I always recommend are Michelle’s Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing Course and Steve’s Create a Profitable Online Store Course.

(Check out my posts on Affiliate Marketing and Starting an Online Store for more info.)

Bottom line? Dive into learning. It’s like getting a key to a treasure chest, except this one doesn’t come with a pesky dragon guarding it. All you have to battle is procrastination. And, if you want to keep following these 9 steps to financial freedom, it’s almost a must.

5. Speak the Language: Understand Financial Jargon

Alright, you saved a little money, you started a side hustle and maybe even went through a course or two, now what?

As we follow along on our 9 steps to financial freedom journey, we’re going to want to invest. More on that in a minute…

First, you’re going to want to understand the financial jargon before you plunk your hard-earned money down. You want to invest, yes, but you also need to kind of understand what you’re investing in.

Here’s a short cheat sheet:

• IRAs: No, it’s not a distant cousin you forgot about. It stands for Individual Retirement Account. Basically, it’s a fancy jar where you stash money for your golden years. Many people invest in these through their employers, but you can also sign up for one on a place like Vanguard.
• Stocks: Think of it as buying a tiny piece of a company. If the company does well, your tiny piece grows. If not, well, let’s just say you’ll be keeping an eye on their decisions a tad more closely.
• Bonds: Imagine lending money to your responsible friend (you know, the one who always returns your clothes). Bonds are like that, but with companies or governments. They promise to pay you back with a bit of interest. Less fun than lending clothes, but definitely more profitable.
• ETFs: Exchange Traded Funds. Think of them as a buffet. Instead of picking one dish (or stock), you get a little bit of everything. And just like a buffet, diversification is the key. No one wants only bread rolls, right?

And if ever you stumble across a term that feels like Latin met Klingon, remember two things: Firstly, Google is always there, waiting to impart wisdom. And secondly, every expert in anything was once a beginner. So, the next time you’re at a party and someone starts with the financial mumbo-jumbo, you can chime in confidently. Or, just nod wisely and take another sip of your drink. Both are valid strategies.

6. Avoid the Savings Sofa Trap: Actively Invest

Picture this: You and your comfy sofa, a love story for the ages. But if you’re thinking of it as your trusty savings vault, let’s rethink that cinematic plot twist.

See, as snuggly as it might be, the sofa’s returns on investment are, well, flat. Literally. Instead of sandwiching cash between cushions, why not let it spread its wings in the wider world of investments?

“Alright,” you muse, “but where should these freed funds frolic?”

I’m glad you asked! Here are some ideas:

• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Essentially stocks for real estate. They pay dividends, and you don’t have to play landlord. It’s like having a slice of the real estate pie without getting your hands messy with mortar and bricks.
• Dividend-Paying Stocks: Buy shares in companies that pay you back just for holding onto them. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
• Create or Buy a Digital Product: The beautiful thing about owning or creating a digital product is that you do the work (or buy it) once and then it can generate profits for you over and over again. You are essentially creating your own business asset that can throw off passive income for you. Got expertise in something? Craft an eBook, online course, or even a handy little app. (Or have someone on Fiverr do it for you.) You can even buy a digital product that is already done for you with Master Resell Rights and sell it under your own brand name.
• For more info on any of these ideas, check out my posts: Master The Magical World of Passive Income: eBook Writing for Beginners, How to Create Online Course Income: 5 Side Hustles That’ll Make You Say, “Why Didn’t I Think of That?”, What is a Master Resell Rights Online Business and Why You Should Start One.
• Peer-to-Peer Lending: Platforms like LendingClub allow you to lend out your money to individuals (with interest) while you kick back and watch the sunset. Or Netflix. I don’t judge.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to save, but to grow. Turn those dollars into diligent workers, earning even as you dive into dreams or devour donuts. Because while the idea of treasure under the cushions is charming, the reality of passive income is downright dazzling.

7. Enlist Some Digital Helpers: Automate that Income

Alright, now that we have some investing knowledge, let’s get down to brass tacks. As we step into this world of investments, remember one thing: Time is money, but so is freeing up your time. Confused? Let’s clear the air.

Let’s explore how we can put our digital butlers to work across our investment portfolio:

• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Gone are the days when you’d manually have to check your REIT returns. Use investment platforms with automated tracking and reinvest those dividends without lifting a finger. Remember, it’s not just about owning a slice of that real estate pie; it’s about enjoying it with zero hassle.
• Dividend-Paying Stocks: Set up automatic reinvesting of those lovely dividends through DRIPs (Dividend Reinvestment Plans). Think of it as your stocks going on auto-pilot, multiplying without you nudging them. Every time they reward you with a dividend, they’ll buy more shares, causing your investments to snowball. It’s a financial winter wonderland!
• Create a Digital Product: With platforms like Teachable or Amazon KDP, once you’ve crafted that brilliant eBook or life-changing course, set it up for automated sales. With their integrated marketing tools, your product keeps selling even when you’re in deep debate about pineapple on pizza.
• Peer-to-Peer Lending: Most platforms, LendingClub included, offer automated investing based on your preferences. You decide the criteria for loans you want to fund, and then let the platform do its thing. It’s like setting up a playlist; once you hit play, just sit back and enjoy the tunes… or, in this case, the sweet sound of passive income.
• For any of these things, you’re probably going to need to market yourself or your new little side hustle business. Automate these things as much as possible as well. Use programs like Tailwind to manage your social media posts. Use programs like ConvertKit to create an automated email campaign and responder. (Any online entrepreneur will tell you that an engaged email list is the holy grail.)

Automation is the unsung hero in our 9 steps to financial freedom saga. Remember, it’s not just about making the money, but making the money work for you while you ponder life’s great mysteries, like why socks always disappear in the laundry.

8. Connect with Fellow Janes: Join Online Communities

Ever find yourself in a puzzling financial pickle and wish you could just pick up the phone and call a fellow Jane-sis for advice? “Hey Jane-sis, should I invest in alpaca-themed socks or squirrel-proof bird feeders?” Okay, maybe not those exact questions, but you catch my drift.

Why fly solo? There’s a big, beautiful online world brimming with Janes who have tripped, stumbled, and gracefully recovered (or not-so-gracefully) on their financial journeys. Why not learn from their fabulous successes and hilarious oopsie-daisies?

• Secret Clubhouse: Websites, forums, and Facebook groups abound. But here’s a hint: the best kind of insights often come from community-driven blogs (ahem, like this one! Wink, wink). I try to share the tricks of the trade, but also those moments when I’ve face-palmed hard, and I know others do as well.
• Share Your Stories, Too. Dive into discussions. Pose your burning questions. Share that one time you thought buying 100 rubber ducks for a ‘business idea’ was solid gold.
• Grow Together: The beauty of connecting with others? You evolve together. Today, it might be about the best savings accounts, and tomorrow, you’re delving into the mystical world of cryptocurrency or debating the most lucrative alpaca venture.

9. Celebrate the Wins: Big or Small

Alright, pop quiz time: What do confetti, a killer dance move, and financial milestones have in common? They’re all essential ingredients for a well-deserved celebration!

• Dollar Disco: So, you tucked away an extra ten bucks this week? You know what that means: cue the music, and unleash your most flamboyant happy dance.
• A Toast to Firsts (and Seconds, and Thirds): Remember that thrill when you made your first sale from your online store? Relive it! Toast to it with your morning coffee, your evening tea, or a little splash of something stronger.
• Visualize, Don’t Just Verbalize: Create a fun ‘Win Wall’ at home. Stick a post-it every time you have a win, no matter how big or small. In a month, you’ll have a rainbow of achievements.
• Pay it Forward: Enjoyed a little victory? Share it in your online communities. Not to boast, but to boost! It might just be the inspiration someone needs to make their move.
• Bottom line: The journey to those 9 Steps to Financial Freedom isn’t just about the destination. It’s about the mini victories along the way. So, every time you save, earn, or learn something new, take a moment to revel in it.

9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Achieved

Well, well, well, look how far we’ve come! From being lost in the financial forest to now having a sat-nav called 9 Steps to Financial Freedom. Let’s do a quick victory lap and recap, shall we?

• The Great Financial Awakening: Know thy balance, and thy balance shall not tip (too often).
• Spend Wisely, and a Little Less: Be the boss of your wallet, and let it know who’s in charge.
• Start an Online Side Hustle: Because who doesn’t want their pocket jingling with more than just loose change?
• Level-Up with Knowledge: Forever students, forever earners. School’s always in session!
• Speak the Language: Financial jibber-jabber, decoded. No Rosetta Stone subscription needed.
• Avoid the Savings Sofa Trap: Get those assets to work. No couch potatoes allowed.
• Enlist Some Digital Helpers: Because every digital entrepreneur needs some automation.
• Connect with Fellow Janes: Community over competition, always.
• Celebrate the Wins: If there’s no confetti, did it even happen?

And so, my financially fearless friend, as you embark on this rollercoaster ride, remember: every tick up the financial freedom track is worth the thrill. Whether you’re stepping, skipping, or shimmying toward those goals, keep the spirit, keep the spark, and I know you’ll get to the financial freedom land you deserve.  

(Just a head’s up that I feel needs to be said: I’m not a financial expert, nor do I play one on the internet. These are just my own personal thoughts and not meant to be financial advice. Please consult a true financial expert of your choosing before making any financial investments.)