Financial freedom is one of those phrases we hear all the time.
It's talked about in books, podcasts, social media posts, and financial conversations. But what does it actually mean?
Because for many women, especially women who earn good money, financial freedom can feel like a moving target. You hit one goal, only to create another. You make more money, but still don't feel fully in control of it. You save, invest, and work hard...yet you're not quite sure when you'll finally feel "free."
The truth is, financial freedom isn't just about reaching a certain number in your bank account or investment portfolio. It's about having options. It's about creating a financial life that supports your goals, your values, and the way you want to spend your time.
In this episode, I'm joined by Marc Russell, founder of BetterWallet and a financial educator who has helped hundreds of thousands of people pay off debt, start investing, and build long-term wealth.
We're talking about what financial freedom really looks like, some of the biggest misconceptions people have about it, and the habits, behaviors, and mindset shifts that help create it.
Whether you're just getting started or already making progress, this conversation will help you think differently about what freedom means for you.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What financial freedom really means and how the definition can evolve over time
- Common misconceptions people have about financial freedom
- Why some high earners still feel stuck financially
- The behaviors and spending habits that can keep people from building wealth
- How income and behavior work together to create financial freedom
- The connection between investing and long-term financial independence
- How to stay consistent with investing without feeling overwhelmed
- Why consistency matters more than intensity when building wealth
- The identity shifts that often happen as people build financial confidence
- The first steps someone can take to start building financial freedom today
This episode is especially helpful if you:
- Make good money but don't feel fully in control of it
- Want to build wealth without feeling restricted
- Feel unsure whether you're making enough progress financially
- Want to better understand how investing supports financial freedom
- Are working toward long-term financial goals and want a clearer roadmap
Why this matters:
Many people think financial freedom is something they reach someday in the future, but financial freedom is often built long before you arrive there.
It's built through consistent decisions, intentional spending, healthy financial habits, and systems that support your goals. It's built when you stop chasing someone else's definition of success and start creating a financial life that reflects what matters most to you.
The more intentional you become with your money, the more options you create for yourself. And those options can look different for everyone. For one person, it might mean retiring early. For another, it might mean changing careers, traveling more, working fewer hours, or simply feeling confident that an unexpected expense won't derail their progress.
Timestamps:
- [03:30] Marc shares his progression of financial freedom and how it has changed as he's gotten older. It's about leveraging time wisely, now.
- [10:55] Can I utilize the skills God has given me to make sure I'm changing the lives of others? This question helped guide Marc towards his version of financial freedom.
- [24:25] If you have family asking for money, you need to assess how this is impacting your situation. This can hold back your own financial freedom.
- [34:40] The big secret to wealth building is taking the human factor (yourself) out of it. Automate as much as possible.
Resources Mentioned:
Follow Marc on Instagram
Learn more about BetterWallet
Listen to Episode #107: Adding Investing to Your Money Goals
City Girl Savings Personal Finance Portfolio
Financial Focus Coaching Program
If you've been working toward financial freedom but still feel unsure about what it actually looks like, this episode is a reminder that freedom isn't just about reaching a number.
It's about building a financial life that gives you options. A life where your money supports your goals, your values, and the experiences that matter most to you.
The path to financial freedom doesn't require perfection. It requires intention, consistency, and a willingness to keep showing up for your future self.
You're not behind…you're building. Consistency compounds. The steady work you're doing now is shaping your next level.
