I’ve spent more than 12 years working with families in the United States, guiding them through financial organization, economic education and future planning. And I want to tell you something honestly: the mistakes that block your financial freedom are not the ones you think.
Most people believe their financial situation would improve if they earned more money.
But the truth is different. It’s not about how much you make, but what you do with what you earn.
I’ve seen high-income families living under constant stress, and others with modest incomes achieving stability, savings and security. The difference isn’t the paycheck—it’s the conscious decisions made every single day.
Here are the 3 most common mistakes that prevent people from reaching financial freedom, and how you can start correcting them today.
Mistake #1: Leaving your finances to luck or your employer
One of the most common mistakes I see is allowing others to make your financial decisions: the employer, the government or “luck.” Many people believe their retirement depends solely on their job’s 401(k), a raise or some kind of economic miracle. But the reality is very different:
Your financial future depends on you.
It depends on educating yourself, understanding where your money is being invested, knowing how your retirement plan works and actively participating in building your wealth.
When you hand over your stability to your employer or the system, you give up control.
And no one can take care of your money better than you.
What you can do:
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Learn about your employee benefits (401k, insurance, employer contributions).
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Ask how your money is being invested and whether your employer offers a match.
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Don’t sign anything you don’t understand.
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And most importantly, don’t wait until retirement age to think about retirement.
Financial freedom begins the moment you take control—not when you wait for something to change on its own.
Mistake #2: Setting a date for saving… but not for spending
Another common mistake is thinking:
“When I can, I’ll start saving.”
But expenses don’t wait. You pay for Netflix, Uber, coffee, eating out… and saving always gets pushed “for later.”
The problem is: what doesn’t have a date never happens.
You don’t need to earn more to start saving; you need to set your priorities straight.
Every dollar must have a purpose—and the first purpose should be your future.
What you can do:
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Schedule an automatic monthly transfer to savings, even if it’s small.
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Create a separate account exclusively for saving or investing.
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Follow the rule: “I pay myself first, then everyone else.”
Money that is not directed gets scattered.
And the discipline you avoid today will cost you peace tomorrow.
Mistake #3: Believing that protecting your health or your life is a luxury
Many people think that having health insurance, life insurance or income protection is “for the rich.”
But protecting yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
If you have a car, you insure it.
If you have a home, you insure it.
So why not insure your life, your health or your ability to earn income?
The truth is that financial protection is the foundation of any solid economic plan.
An illness or accident can put everything you’ve built at risk if you don’t have a backup structure in place.
The right insurance doesn’t just give you peace of mind—it protects your family’s well-being.
What you can do:
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Evaluate your current coverages: health, life, disability, etc.
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Calculate how long you could support yourself if you were unable to work.
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Seek guidance from a financial planning expert
This is not a scolding. It’s an invitation.
An invitation to wake up. To look at your finances with intention. To understand that your financial well-being doesn’t depend on luck, but on your decisions.
Financial freedom isn’t inherited… it’s built.
Step by step.
With consistency.
With education.
And with action.
You don’t need to do everything perfectly—you just need to start.
Begin today with one small decision: review your expenses, open a savings account or protect your health. Every step counts. And every step brings you closer to the freedom you deserve.
Financial freedom is a daily decision
True financial freedom doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t depend on how much you earn.
It arrives when you decide to take control, plan with purpose and act with intention.
Don’t let fear or lack of knowledge hold you back.
You have the power to build a more stable, secure and free life.
