Top 50 signs of financial freedom revealed - including mortgage paid off and no debt
Brits have revealed what financial freedom REALLY looks like - not worrying about unexpected costs, shopping at a high-end supermarket, and having the mortgage paid off. A study of 2,000 adults found owning a car outright with no finance is also an indicator you have no worries when it comes to money.
Not being afraid to check your bank balance is another, as is flying first class as a matter of routine - and being in a position to buy branded products rather own-brand items.
But more than half of adults (53 percent) don't think they will ever be financially free.
A spokesman for Barclays, which commissioned the research, said: "Reaching a point where you no longer need to worry about money may seem like nothing but a pipedream, but there are steps you can take to help get there.
"Obviously, the earlier in life you can begin saving money, the sooner you’ll reach financial freedom.
"But even for those who realised a bit later in life that they were going to have to take control of their finances, reaching that balance is possible."
The study also found the average adult who does think they might get to financial freedom at some point, reckons they are still nearly 12 years away from doing so.
Financial freedom is very much a state of mind – something tangible for one person may not work for another
Other key signs of financial freedom include being able to treat themselves without worry, not needing to work full-time, and having the cash to make home improvements without needing to save up.
For just under one in ten, however, they’d like nothing more than being able to buy their team’s new football shirt as soon as it comes out.
One in four adults worry they aren’t saving enough every month to reach their financial targets, while 12 percent don’t know how to manage their cash most effectively.
And on average, Brits reckon they’d need to earn just under £60,000 a year to avoid worrying about money.
Two-thirds also feel that for them, financial freedom isn’t about reaching all their financial targets – they can still feel that way by simply feeling in control of their cash day-to-day.
To do this, 21 percent have made a conscious effort to understand where their money goes each month, according to the study carried out via OnePoll.
The same amount try not to compare their financial situation to anyone else’s, and 19 percent find having clear financial goals to aim for is helpful.
Barclays’ spokesperson added: "Financial freedom doesn’t have to mean having enough money in the bank to buy whatever you want.
"You can feel financially free and still have certain goals to achieve, such as paying off your mortgage, or even things like car payments.
"Really, what we found in this survey is that financial freedom is very much a state of mind – something tangible for one person may not work for another."
TOP FIVE TIPS FOR FINANCIAL WELLBEING:
- Before you start paying off your debt, take a step back and figure out how much you owe overall, when you would ideally like to have this paid off by, and how much you can afford to pay back each month.
- Setting aside small amounts now and slowly increasing the amount will help kick-start your journey. Savings challenges can help build your fund, such as the 52-week challenge where you put in £1 in week one, and increase it by £1 each week, leaving you with an impressive £1,378 in savings by the end of the year. Tools such as the Barclays Savings Goal tool can help you keep track of your progress.
- If you're saving for any longer-term goals, such as retirement, children's education, or future financial freedom, then it's well worth considering investing. If you're unsure where to start, many banks and/or investment platforms offer "ready-made funds" that are based on the level of risk you are comfortable with, which they'll manage on your behalf.
- By using monthly disposable income, or extra cash from a pay rise or a bonus, you could reduce your mortgage balance faster, enabling you to make some significant savings in the amount of interest you pay over the long term.
- Write down all the things you think you really want to spend money on, then review this against what you currently do spend money on over the month. This should give you some idea of areas where you can perhaps reduce spending as you wouldn't pay for it today.
THE TOP 50 SIGNS OF FINANCIAL FREEDOM:
- Having no debt
- Mortgage is paid off
- Being confident that I can cover any unexpected costs
- Feeling in control of my finances
- Saving money each month
- Having disposable income available at the end of the month
- Paying off all bills in full each month
- Having rainy day savings set aside
- Not worrying about when payday is
- Paying for things without needing to check bank balance first
- Being able to enjoy the lifestyle I want without worrying about money
- Being able to treat myself to things without worry
- Not being afraid to check bank balance
- Not counting down the days until payday
- Being able to treat myself without worrying about my bank balance
- Can go on a spontaneous holiday without having to save up in advance
- Being able to make home improvements without needing to save up
- Being able to stop working full time
- Owning a property as opposed to renting
- Feeling more confident about my future financial position
- Car is bought outright
- Not feeling like I need to check my bank balance regularly
- Not having to check the price of things when shopping
- On track to retire early
- Having enough money to live my dream life
- Being able to treat my family and friends
- Being able to choose anything on the menu when dining out and not worry about the bill
- Feeling like I can provide my family with a better life
- Not having to compromise on gifts at Christmas or birthdays
- Having more than one holiday abroad a year
- Being able to buy a round without worrying about money - or what people choose
- Going out to restaurants regularly
- Not having to wait for sales in order to buy desirable items
- Being able to stay in four- or five-star hotels as a matter of routine
- Spontaneously splashing out on something which you don't really need e.g. a fancy air cooler, a posh floor mop
- Fully filling your car with fuel rather than just a few pounds worth
- Owning more than one property
- Being able to fly business class or above as a matter of routine
- Being able to take the kids/grandkids for lots of days out
- Doing the food shop at a high-end supermarket
- When you can treat your parents to a meal out
- Regularly visiting the hairdressing salon/barber
- Having a cleaner
- Being able to buy the latest TV
- Having no student loan
- Buying brand-name products rather than own-brand items
- Never looking at my wardrobe and thinking I have nothing to wear
- Being able to buy designer clothes regularly
- Having multiple TV subscription packages
- Having an ensuite bathroom