Financial Freedom

Grant Sabatier

Financial Freedom by Grant Sabatier is a step-by-step guide to achieving financial independence quickly, often in under a decade. Unlike traditional retirement plans that rely on working for 40+ years, Sabatier’s approach focuses on earning more, saving aggressively, and investing wisely to escape the 9-to-5 grind as soon as possible.

Sabatier’s own journey is proof that this works: in just five years, he went from being broke and living with his parents to a millionaire with complete financial freedom.

His philosophy? "You don’t have to trade your time for money forever. There’s a faster way."

Let’s break down each lesson, insight, and daily action step from the book to help you apply these strategies and build your own financial freedom.

Key Lessons from Financial Freedom

1. Time is More Valuable Than Money

Most people think about money in terms of working, earning, and spending. Sabatier argues that this mindset keeps people trapped in the rat race.

"Money is unlimited. Time is not. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you can start designing your ideal life."

Instead of focusing on just making money, you need to think about how to maximize your time and use money as a tool to buy freedom.

How to Apply This Daily:

✅ Track how many hours you "trade" for purchases. Instead of thinking, "This coffee costs $5," ask, "How much time did I have to work for this?"
✅ Prioritize income streams that grow without requiring more of your time.
✅ Start automating wealth-building (savings, investments, side income).

2. The Fastest Way to Wealth: Save Aggressively

"If you want to get rich fast, you have to save more than everyone else."

Sabatier challenges the conventional 10-15% savings rate, recommending instead:

✅ Save at least 50% of your income.
✅ Increase savings as your income grows.
✅ Invest every extra dollar—you can’t save your way to wealth alone.

The more you save, the faster you buy back your freedom.

Example: The Power of Aggressive Saving

  • Saving 10% → Retire in 50 years

  • Saving 50% → Retire in 17 years

  • Saving 75% → Retire in 7 years

"Most people save whatever’s left after spending. You should spend whatever’s left after saving."

3. Increase Your Income (Because Cutting Expenses Alone Won’t Work)

Cutting lattes won’t make you rich—but earning more will.

"There’s a limit to how much you can cut, but no limit to how much you can earn."

Sabatier recommends focusing on income growth, not just frugality:

✅ Negotiate your salary—most people leave money on the table.
✅ Start a side hustle—consulting, freelancing, or an online business.
✅ Invest in skills that increase your earning potential.

Example: Small Raises Have a Big Impact

If you negotiate a $5,000 raise and invest it instead of spending it, it could grow to $70,000+ in 20 years.

✅ Action Step: Make a list of 3 ways you can earn more this month.

4. The True Cost of Your Expenses (And How to Cut Them Smartly)

Most people don’t realize how much their spending habits delay financial freedom.

"The $100 you spend today could be worth $1,000+ in retirement."

How to Cut Expenses Without Feeling Deprived:

✅ Eliminate “silent killers” → Unused subscriptions, unnecessary fees.
✅ Use the 48-hour rule → Wait before making purchases over $50.
✅ Think in terms of time → "Is this purchase worth one more year of work?"

Example: Housing Costs Matter More Than You Think

"Your biggest expense isn’t coffee, it’s your rent or mortgage."

✅ Live in a cheaper home and invest the difference.
✅ House hack—rent out a room to lower your housing costs.

5. Invest Early, Invest Often

"Your investments will make more money than you ever could."

Sabatier’s investment strategy is simple:

✅ Invest as much as possible in index funds. (S&P 500, VTSAX, VTI)
✅ Max out your 401(k) and IRA every year.
✅ Reinvest all profits—let compound interest work.

Example: The Cost of Waiting to Invest

  • Investing $500/month at age 25 → $1.1M by age 65

  • Waiting until age 35? You end up with only $450,000!

"Investing is like planting a tree. The best time to start was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today."

✅ Action Step: Set up automatic contributions to your investments.

6. Design Your Ideal Life (Instead of Just Chasing Money)

"Money is just a tool. The goal is freedom, not just more money."

Sabatier argues that many people chase wealth without thinking about what they truly want.

✅ Ask yourself: "What does my ideal day look like?"
✅ Reverse-engineer your financial plan to achieve it.
✅ Experiment with mini-retirements (taking breaks before full retirement).

Example: The "Five-Year Plan to Freedom"

  1. Year 1: Track spending & increase income.

  2. Year 2: Invest aggressively & optimize savings.

  3. Year 3: Build side income streams.

  4. Year 4: Reduce work hours or take a sabbatical.

  5. Year 5: Achieve full financial independence!

"Retirement isn’t an age. It’s the moment you have enough money to live the life you want."

✅ Action Step: Write down your perfect day—then start designing a plan to reach it.

7. Financial Freedom is a Mindset

Sabatier emphasizes that achieving wealth starts in your mind.

"Your beliefs about money determine your financial future."

✅ Stop thinking in terms of scarcity. Money is abundant.
✅ Take action, even if you don’t feel ready.
✅ Focus on progress, not perfection.

"Your future self will thank you for the steps you take today."

Final Thoughts on Financial Freedom

Sabatier’s book isn’t just about money—it’s about creating a life where you have full control over your time.

✅ Save aggressively and invest early.
✅ Focus on increasing your income, not just cutting expenses.
✅ Use money to buy time, not things.
✅ Define financial freedom for yourself—and go after it.

"The best investment you can make is in your freedom. Start today." 🚀

Are you ready to achieve financial independence faster than you ever thought possible? Start implementing these steps today and take control of your future!