I haven’t pulled that trigger yet, though, have I? Why not? After all, by definition, I’ve got Enough. I could have given notice a year ago and maintained our lifestyle indefinitely.
But the truth is I’ve been straddling the fence, and each time my toes graze the grass on the other side, I retreat. I’m still working, but I’m not working for nothing. I’m working for something called Financial Freedom.
Independence in this sense means you can live independently of earned income. Maintaining your current lifestyle, likely a relatively frugal one that allowed you to become financially independent, you can reasonably expect to never run out of money.
For example, you could, without regret:1. Order your favorite menu item, rather than the best value2. Stay next to the beach, instead of four blocks up the street
Freedom to spend doesn’t mean you should or will spend all those additional dollars. It means you’ve got enough cash to do so without putting your financial future at risk.