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Let me be real with you—this is the kind of advice I wish someone had given me when I was starting out. It’s not fluff. It’s hard-earned wisdom from someone who’s been there, felt stuck, and figured out how to escape.
Back in school, I wasn’t exactly what you’d call a “star student.” One of my teachers basically wrote me off, and honestly, I started to believe them. I dropped out at 16 and started an apprenticeship as a carpenter. I was building wooden trash bins for $2 an hour—just enough to cover my basics. Every day felt like Groundhog Day. Same routine, same paycheck, same dead-end path.
I looked around and thought, “If I don’t do something different, I’ll end up just like everyone else here—miserable, stuck, and broke.” I wanted more. Freedom. Flexibility. A life where I didn’t need to ask for permission to take a day off. So I built a plan. And by my late 20s, I hit millionaire status.
People ask me all the time, “Is it still possible to become financially free today?” And the truth is—yes. 100%. But only if you’ve got the right game plan. That’s what I want to walk you through today.
Step 1: Find Your Freedom Figure
Before you start investing or building income streams, you need to define what financial freedom means to you. What’s the number that, once reached, allows you to live life comfortably without ever worrying about money again?
This is your Freedom Figure.
It’s different for everyone. Maybe your dream life includes luxury cars, vacations, or just the peace of mind to spend time with family. Whatever it is, your Freedom Figure is based on your ideal annual lifestyle cost multiplied by 25 (more on that shortly).
Here’s an example based on what most people in their 20s say they want:
- Rent: $30,000/year (1-bedroom in a major city)
- Car (e.g., Porsche 911): $24,125/year (payments, fuel, insurance, maintenance)
- Travel: $5,000/year (3 mid-range vacations)
- Bills: $3,000/year
- Food: $5,000/year
- Health Insurance: $2,500/year
- Leisure & Fun: $4,000/year
Total: $75,325/year
Now multiply that by 25 using what’s called The Rule of 25:
$75,325 × 25 = $1,883,125
That’s how much you’d need invested to generate enough passive income to cover your lifestyle, forever.
The idea is simple: if your money earns at least 4% annually, you can withdraw that amount each year and never run out. It’s like having a goose that lays just enough golden eggs to live on—without ever touching the goose itself.
A popular and historically strong way to do this is through the S&P 500 index. Over the last 10 years, it’s delivered 12–14% average annual returns (though 7–8% is a more conservative long-term average).
Apps like Trading 212 make it super easy to invest. You can even start with fractional shares—perfect if you're not rolling in cash yet. They’ve also got auto-investing features like Pies so you can dollar-cost average into the market without lifting a finger.
And just so you know, if you sign up using code TILBURY, they’re giving out a free fractional share (worth up to £100) and even more if you invite friends. I’ve left a link in the description if you want in.
Step 2: Hack Your Life
Saving money doesn’t have to mean giving up everything you love. Instead, use clever strategies to keep your lifestyle but cut the costs.
Car Hacking
Most people are drowning in car payments, just to drive a car they can’t afford. On average, Americans are shelling out $734/month on new car payments. That’s nearly $9,000 a year!
Instead, buy a reliable used car that’s already hit peak depreciation. You’ll avoid the biggest drops in value and can often sell it later for nearly what you paid. It’s simple. Smart. And debt-free.
Brand Hacking
Swap name brands for generics. A box of Cocoa Pops costs $4.25. The store-brand version? $1.66. That’s a $2.56 daily saving. Multiply that by 365 days and you’ve got $934.40 saved in a year. Five years? That’s $4,672—from cereal alone.
House Hacking
This one’s a game-changer. Get a duplex or an apartment with an extra room. Live in one part and rent the other. Or rent out your place on Airbnb like one guy I met in London. He pays £4K a month in rent—but rents it out just 10 nights a month to cover it. The rest of the month? Profit.
Just make sure your landlord’s cool with it.
Tax Hacking
If you’ve got a side hustle or small business, don’t sleep on tax deductions. Home office, internet, travel—these can all be deducted.
Use tax-free savings accounts like a Roth IRA in the US or an ISA in the UK to grow your money without paying taxes on gains.
Deal Hacking
Never accept the sticker price. Negotiate everything. Cars, rent, tech—you name it. Time your purchases. End-of-month deals are usually better because sales reps need to hit quotas. Do your research and walk in ready to bargain.
Step 3: Get a Credit Card
Credit cards aren’t evil. What’s dangerous is not knowing how to use them.
Use one responsibly—keep your balance low and pay it off every month—and you’ll build a killer credit score. That means better rates when you buy a home or car, and more financial options down the road.
Ignore your credit score and you’ll end up paying more for everything—or worse, getting denied.
Step 4: Build Extra Income Streams
Relying on one income source is risky. It’s like sitting on a one-legged stool. If that leg snaps, you’ve got nothing to support you.
Add a second (or third) leg with a side hustle. Use skills you already have—freelance, offer a service, sell something online. Even simple gigs like car cleaning or tutoring can bring in serious cash.
“But I don’t have time.”
Let’s break it down:
- Work: 40 hours
- Sleep: 56 hours
- Meals + commuting: ~20.5 hours
That leaves over 50 hours of free time each week. Use some of it wisely.
Step 5: Use Money the Right Way
Poor people use money to survive. Middle-class people use money to upgrade their lifestyle. Rich people use money to make more money.
Once you’ve got extra income, don’t blow it. Invest it.
Look at:
- Stock market (S&P 500 index funds)
- Crypto (careful here—high risk, high reward; I only keep 5% in crypto)
- Real estate (house hacking or rental properties)
Remember: the goal isn’t to hustle forever. It’s to get your money working harder than you do.
Final Word:
Financial freedom isn’t a fantasy. It’s a formula. Get your Freedom Figure, invest wisely, cut waste, build new income streams, and let your money grow.
Subscribe if you want more no-nonsense financial advice, and check out the next video for step-by-step investing tips.
See you there 👋