Our differences come from the way we view things. This is called subjectivity. A person living in the west may think that the climate in the orient is hot. However, for those living in the orient, their climate was never hot at all. There are two views here. One is definition. It is the literal meaning of the word; one we read in the books and find in the dictionary. The other one is called connotation. It is how we perceive word to be, depending on our viewpoint, circumstances and environment.
Some equate financial independence with getting rich. Others restrict their view of financial independence with money. Other think about financial independence as something that relates with retirement. But you ask, how then should I view financial independence? Here’s my take.
Financial independence is enjoying your life with your family, being contentedly supplied with everything your family needs. It is being interested in your work and reaping the fruits of your hard labor. It is more than just surviving, which means you are not crippled with insurmountable debts. Financial independence is having some free time to do other stuff which provide fun and recreation. It is sparing time and resources for volunteer work and charitable activities. It having time to spend with family and friends, whether in vacation or recreation.
The bottomline? It is not all about money. It is all about enjoying your life now and living it to the fullest.