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Financial freedom starts with financial awareness.

When we think about financial freedom, we often imagine the end goal: a debt-free life, the ability to travel, early retirement, or the peace of not living paycheck to paycheck. While those dreams are valid and powerful, they all begin with one foundational habit: financial awareness.

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Before you can build wealth, fix your finances, or achieve your money goals, you need to know your numbers.  Financial awareness means having a clear understanding of:

• How much money you make

• Where your money is going

• What you owe

• What you own

• What habits are helping or hurting your finances
   

It’s about taking off the blindfold and facing your financial reality (without shame, fear, or avoidance).

"You can’t fix what you won’t face."  Too many people feel like money is controlling their lives. But when you track your income, expenses, and goals, you become the one in control (when you do something about how you manage your money).
 

Financial anxiety often comes from not knowing what's going on with your money. Awareness brings clarity, and clarity brings calm.  Whether your dream is to buy a home, start a business, or become debt-free, none of it is possible without a real understanding of where you stand financially.  After you're aware of your spending habits, you should start making more intentional choices. Awareness fuels accountability.

You don’t need to be an accountant or financial expert. Start simple. Start honest. By doing the following:

 

1. Track Every Dollar

For one month, write down every single expense, yes, even the $1 pack of gum. You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a budgeting app. Awareness starts with visibility.

 

2. Review Your Income and Expenses

Ask yourself:

• How much do I really earn (after taxes)?

• How much do I spend?

• Where is most of my money going?

Look for patterns, and opportunities to spend your money more wisely.

 

3. List Your Debts and Assets

What do you owe (credit cards, loans, etc.)?
What do you own (savings, investments, property)?
Facing these numbers helps you plan your next steps wisely.

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4. Set a Weekly Money Check-In

Make money a regular topic in your life, not just when things go wrong. Spend 10–15 minutes each week reviewing your budget, bank accounts, or financial goals.  If one week is too much for you, try bi-weekly based on your pay period.

 

5. Be Honest, Not Harsh

The goal is awareness, not guilt. Don’t beat yourself up over past mistakes. Use your awareness as a stepping stone, not a shame trap.

Small Shifts = Big Results

You don’t have to overhaul your entire financial life in one week. But awareness is the gateway to every smart decision you’ll make from here on out.

When you’re financially aware:

• You spend with purpose.

• You save with clarity.

• You invest with confidence.

• And most importantly, you live with peace.
   

If you want financial freedom, start by paying attention. Know your numbers. Know your habits. Know your worth. Because the more financially aware you become, the more empowered you are to build the future you deserve, and finally live with financial freedom.

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Financial freedom doesn’t start with money. It starts with you.  It’s not about spending your money on whatever you want to spend your money on.  Even a millionaire, is no longer a millionaire if he/she spends money unwisely.  If you have one million dollars and you spend a dollar, you are no longer a millionaire.  Financial freedom means spending your money wisely, so that you don’t put yourself in a position of lacking money.  

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By Jason Torrents

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