Financial independence is often framed as a financial target, but as Derek Hagen suggests, it is ultimately a lifestyle decision.

It is not defined by how much money you have, but by how you want to live. The question is not “How much money do I need?” but “What life do I want money to support?”

Your desired lifestyle should determine the number required to fund it, not the other way around. Financial independence should be built around genuine contentment, not around numbers or lifestyles borrowed from other people’s expectations.

There are only two ways to reach financial independence:

1. Earn more (scale up).
2. Need less (scale down).

While increasing income is uncertain, adjusting lifestyle is often more within your control, especially if you are clear about what truly brings you contentment.

It is always your choice.

 

Written by Marius Kilian

Source

* “Financial Independence is Easy”, Derek Hagen, meaningfulmoney.life, 12 Mar 2026