Why I’m Finally Prioritizing Financial Freedom (Even If It’s Hard)

By Beelinger Staff
Estimated read time: 6 minutes

There’s a quote I heard once: “You can pay now and play later—or play now and pay forever.”

For most of my adult life, I was playing now. Shopping when I was sad. Upgrading my phone before I’d paid off the old one. Avoiding budgets like the plague.

I told myself I was “just trying to enjoy life.” But deep down, I wasn’t free—I was stuck.

The Breaking Point

It wasn’t one big financial disaster that woke me up. It was the slow, daily weight of stress. That tight feeling in my chest when rent was due. The panic at the grocery checkout. The constant fear of my car breaking down.

I started asking myself, “What would it feel like to not be afraid of money?”

The answer: Free. And I wanted that more than I wanted another Starbucks run.

What Financial Freedom Means to Me

• 💸 Saying yes to opportunities without checking my bank app first
• 📦 Having money set aside for emergencies (not hoping nothing breaks)
• 🧘‍♀️ Sleeping at night without spiraling about bills or debt
• 🚀 Building wealth slowly, even if I don’t come from it

It’s not about being rich—it’s about having options.

What I’m Doing Differently

• Budgeting with intention using tools like YNAB
• Tracking my net worth monthly (even when it feels awkward)
• Investing small but consistently through platforms like Acorns
• Saying “no” more often to things that don’t align with my values

It’s slow. It’s not always exciting. But every choice feels like a step toward power.

Final Thoughts

Some people chase financial freedom because they hate their job. Some because they want to travel the world. For me, it’s about healing—about not living in constant survival mode.

I’m not perfect. I still slip. But now, I get back up. Because this time, I know what I’m fighting for: freedom, peace, and the version of myself I used to dream about.