3DIANIMATION

Being an Animator has its perks, but as long as you are working for someone, it also has its downsides: money. Working for someone, regardless of whether you like it or not, the money aspect is most likely out of your hands. The company could fold and leave you with nothing; they could let you go without notice, and if your finances are not in order, you are the only one to blame... NOT the studio and the company's lack of foresight or humanity.  It's all on you!

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I'm not a financial advisor. Before doing anything, please consult with your advisor or attorney. Below are the steps, books, and resources I used and did for ME to find financial freedom and continue to be financially free.

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The first thing I did was read/ listen to as many financial books as possible. Here are the top ones that got my attention. 

 

List of audiobooks/books that you can find on Amazon with my affiliate links.

• Retire before Mom and Dad: by Rob Berger- steps to retire earlier and live off your investments.

• Playing with FIRE: by Scott Trench- spending less and saving, not having all the expensive things you think you need.

• Quit Like a Millionaire:  With Kristy Shen's Mindset and getting past the idea of 9-5, you can use stocks to retire and fund your life.

• The Simple Path to Wealth:  By JL Collins- Mindset and using stocks to retire and fund your life

• Set For Life: By Scott Trench-  more about mindset and rental props with some stock advice.

• The Book on Rental Property Investing: Branden Turner- WHY You should have a rental property as your principal investment and how to do it.

• Rich Dad Poor Dad:  By Robert Kiyosaki- mind set on having money work for you and not vice versa.

• The Total Money Make Over by Dave Ramsey:  MAINLY GETTING OUT OF DEBT if you can't emotionally manage your money like a pro.

• Richest Man in Babylon:  short read but powerful, and it shows that no matter who you are, where you came from, or where you are, you can make money work for you.

 

 

Key  Terms to know

• FIRE: Financial Independent Retire Early

• CashFlow: leftover Money your investments give you once all the bills are paid.

• Good debt: rental mortgage

• Bad debt: Cars, credit cards, student loans.

• Dividends: money paid to you through stocks you own using a Brookegae account or a Free app like Robinhood.

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Major investment types:

• Rental houses: Single-family house, ABNB, apartments.

• Stocks/ETF: Robinhood.

• Employee 401k and IRA

• Business

 

Efficient Path to Financial Freedom: Derived from a wealth of experiences gleaned from my journey, as well as insights gained from various books and podcasts that have shaped my financial philosophy over the years – and continue to do so:

1. Secure Employment and Embrace Frugality:

   • Ensure stable employment and adopt a lifestyle below your means, emphasizing spending significantly less than your income.

   • Implement a meticulous budgeting strategy to allocate your funds judiciously.

2. Build an Emergency Fund:

   • Establish an emergency fund with a minimum balance of $1,000 to $3,000.

   • Invest 1% of your income to foster financial growth.

   • Trim significant expenses such as car payments and housing costs.

3. Debt Elimination and Career Enhancement:

   • Prioritize eliminating smaller debts using a strategic approach like the Debt Snowball (inspired by Ramsey's method) while concurrently investing a minimum of 4%.

   • Seek opportunities for a higher-paying job and consider a second job for a limited duration (minimum one year).

4. Expand Emergency Fund and Boost Investments:

   • Increase your emergency fund to cover three months' worth of expenses.

   • Intensify investments to 10% of your income.

5. Diversified Investments:

   • Allocate a substantial portion (50-80%) of your income towards investments.

   • Begin saving for your first rental property.

   • Explore investment avenues such as a 401(k), IRA, and brokerage accounts like Robinhood or Vanguard.

6. Financial Freedom Preparation:

   • Accumulate savings equivalent to 1-2 years of living expenses.

   • Consider keeping this reserve in a brokerage account to allow it to grow while you contemplate your next ventures or endeavors.

This sequential approach is a comprehensive guide, offering a balanced mix of financial discipline, strategic investment, and career development to pave the way toward financial freedom.