Financial freedom doesn’t require perfection – here’s why

Celebrate Independence Day by Building Your Own Financial Freedom

By Becca Craig, CFP®, CeFT®, CSLP®

The Fourth of July has always been a celebration of freedom. This year feels especially meaningful as America marks its 250th birthday. Across the country, people will gather for backyard barbecues, family reunions, fireworks, and, for soccer fans, another round of World Cup matches before settling in to watch the fireworks. Amid the celebration, though, there is another kind of freedom worth thinking about: financial freedom.

For many Americans, that kind of freedom can feel frustratingly out of reach. A recent YouGov survey found that fewer than half of Americans, just 43%, consider themselves financially secure. That statistic isn’t simply about the amount someone earns or has in their portfolio . It reflects the stress of wondering whether you’re saving enough or whether one unexpected expense could throw your plans off course.

The encouraging news is that financial freedom isn’t reserved for people with extraordinary wealth. It’s built through intentional habits that align your money with your values. Here are four practical steps you can take to build greater confidence and move closer to the life you want to live.

1. Find Your Touchstone

Most financial advice begins with budgets, investment returns, or retirement projections. Those things certainly matter, but they aren’t where financial freedom begins. It begins with understanding why you’re pursuing it in the first place—You need a Touchstone.

Developed by Susan Bradley and the Financial Transitionist Institute a touchstone is a memory, vision, or experience that represents authentic joy and purpose. It serves as an anchor during life’s transitions and reminds us what our financial decisions are really working toward.

Take a few quiet minutes this weekend and think about a time when you felt completely present and fulfilled. Who were you with? What were you doing? How were you spending your time? How were you using your money?

Interestingly, the answers rarely involve a certain account balance or investment return. They usually involve experiences, relationships, and the freedom to choose how your time is spent.

For one person, financial freedom might mean spending Tuesday mornings working in the garden. For someone else, it could be traveling with grandchildren, volunteering for a favorite organization, spending more time with family, or finally having the flexibility to pursue a passion that’s been sitting on the back burner. Some people even create a personal mantra to keep themselves grounded, such as, “My money funds my adventures, not my anxiety,” or “Financial freedom gives me more time with the people I love.” That’s ultimately what financial freedom provides. It isn’t about accumulating wealth for its own sake. It’s about creating the ability to say yes when life presents opportunities that align with your values.

2. Track Your Cash Flow, Not Just Your Budget

Once you’ve identified your “why,” the next step is understanding where your money is actually going. Many people hear the word budget and immediately think of restriction, which is fair. I much prefer the concept of tracking your cash flow because it focuses on awareness rather than limitation.

Start by getting financially organized. Understand what you own, what you owe, how much income is coming in, how much you’re paying in taxes, and whether you’re taking full advantage of workplace benefits like retirement plans, Health Savings Accounts, etc.. Then ask yourself one simple question: Where is every dollar going once it reaches your checking account?

The goal isn’t to judge your spending. It’s to make sure your money is flowing toward the things you genuinely value, whether that’s travel, charitable giving, hobbies, family, or creating a little more breathing room in your life.

The best budgeting system is the one you’ll actually use. Some people love spreadsheets, but thankfully tools like YNAB (You Need A Budget), Monarch Money, and Copilot automatically categorize transactions and make it much easier to understand your financial life.

Pick one and stick with it. The more aware you become of your cash flow, the more intentional your financial decisions become. You can’t direct your money toward financial freedom until you know where it’s already going.

3. Pay Yourself First

For many households, payday feels like a revolving door. Money lands in the checking account and almost immediately flows back out. Bills are paid, groceries are purchased, subscriptions renew, and before long you’re wondering where the month went.

One of the simplest ways to build financial freedom is to make saving automatic instead of optional. Rather than waiting to see what’s left at the end of the month, decide first what your future deserves.

If you don’t already have a high yield savings account (HYSA), this week could be a great time to open one. Many online banks are currently paying around 3% interest on HYSAs. allowing your money to quietly work for you while remaining available for emergencies.

If your employer offers a 401(k) match, consider contributing at least enough to receive the full match. It’s one of the few opportunities to receive what is essentially free money toward your retirement.

Every automatic transfer is an investment in your future. Over time, those small decisions become habits, and those habits become financial freedom.

4. Ask for Help

One of the biggest misconceptions about financial planning is that people only need an advisor if they’re wealthy. In reality, many people seek professional guidance because they want clarity.

If you’ve been saving consistently and still find yourself wondering whether you’re doing enough, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It probably means you’re missing a long term roadmap.

A good Certified Financial Planner professional does far more than manage investments. They help clients prepare for retirement, reduce taxes, coordinate estate planning, evaluate insurance needs, navigate education funding, manage student loan strategies, and adjust plans as life changes.

For do-it-yourself investors, paying an advisory fee can feel like a hurdle. But ask yourself this: What is the cost of making one major financial mistake or spending years wondering whether you’re truly on track?

For many families, ongoing guidance is worth the investment. And if your current advisor isn’t providing comprehensive planning instead of simply managing investments, don’t be afraid to ask questions or find someone who will.

The Freedom Worth Celebrating

Financial freedom isn’t a finish line that suddenly appears one day. It’s built through hundreds of thoughtful decisions that gradually create more choices, more flexibility, and more confidence.

This Independence Day, while celebrating 250 years of American independence, consider spending an hour investing in your own future. Find your touchstone. Understand your cash flow. Pay yourself first. Ask for help if you need it.

The hardest part is often getting started. You don’t need a perfect plan, just the willingness to take the first step. Make this the week you begin building your own financial freedom, and you’ll have something to celebrate every Independence Day for years to come.

About the author

Becca Craig is a Wealth Advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, where she has helped clients navigate big life transitions since joining the firm in 2019. She enjoys co-creating financial plans with clients that reduce money stress and help them live abundantly joyful, purpose filled lives, making decisions that feel grounded, confident, and aligned.

Becca has nearly 15 years of experience in the industry after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She is passionate about sharing her industry expertise, frequently writing for and contributing to national publications, including TheStreet, Retirement Daily, CNBC, MSNBC, NPR, Forbes, as well as FPW’s insights and articles. She has also been a featured speaker at national conferences such as AICPA ENGAGE and XYPN LIVE and is a guest speaker for the American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants (AICCFC).

Becca stays busy in her community and is an alumni member of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions Leadership Program (Class of 2025), a board member of Missouri Appleseed, and a volunteer at Lakeside Nature Center’s wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Outside of work, she enjoys strength training, yoga, travel, and hiking National Park trails. Becca always makes sure to dedicate ample time to enjoying the company of her two feline companions, Godric and Calliope.