What is the one resource that humans can’t buy, create, or renew? Of course it is Time.
Whether we like it or not. Time keeps going. One of my favorite YouTubers, Jesse, named his channel “Continues to Tick”, in reference to the fact that time continues to pass us by.
This notion that time is precious and we can’t get it back means that we need to make sure we are using the time given to us in the best way.
The “best way” needs to be what is best for us, our own situation, goals, desires, and needs. Don’t let society or others tell you the way to spend your time. You only get one life, arrange it so that you can do what you want.
That might mean saving and investing more aggressively to be able to be work-optional earlier than traditional retirement. It may mean taking a part time job that may not pay as much but will give you more time. It may mean taking a few years off of work to raise your children. Your path does not have to fit society’s path.
If the past two years has taught us anything is that time is not guaranteed. Life is precious, finite, and unknowing.
Having control of your time, having the freedom to do what you want, when you want, and with who you want should be the ultimate life goal.
This week gave me a glimpse into my future. It seems minor but taking a week off of work, without having a trip planned, reminded me of what life will be like when I am work-optional.
Lunch with my wife at a restaurant on Monday, shopping and errands on Tuesday, the beach on Wednesday, theme park and dinner with friends on Thursday, and a trip to the science center on Friday.
I could get used to this.
While I am not there yet, I know that that path my wife and I are on will get us there. Dividend growth investing will provide us the Time Freedom that we want, that we can use to have our days be filled with what we want to do, not what we have to do to make money,
Passive dividend income will eventually replace our active income. Our dividends will pay our bills and provide income to have fun with.
The path we are on will end up providing more dividend income than we are currently making in our jobs, it is just a matter of time and consistent investment.
It will happen.
Our days will be filled with hobbies, friends, family, travel, slow days at home, reading a book, working in the garden, visiting our kids and hopefully grandkids one day. The days will be filled with volunteering, with learning, with doing nothing, or a whole lot of something.
The point is that we will have Time Freedom. We will be able to live the life we want. Dividends will get us there, and it will be fabulous.
Keep going, keep investing, reinvest your dividends, let them compound, be patient, live life today, but be ready for your Time Freedom life later.
It will happen!