12/08/2025
People often think freedom means making more money. But real freedom comes from what you do with the money and opportunities you already have.
Here are the smart moves that have given us the flexibility to travel, have a stay-at-home season, and working life on our own terms:
1️⃣ Don’t upgrade just because you can.
Our cars are paid off, and even though our house feels small for our growing family, we’re staying put with a low mortgage. When we sold our first home, its appreciation gave us a nice boost to reinvest in our future.
2️⃣ Side hustles matter…especially in vet med.
It can be tough to make a salary that covers everything you want. For us, side hustles have been essential: mine in social media and product sales, my husband’s in e-commerce. That extra income goes straight to savings, investments, or big life goals, not lifestyle creep.
3️⃣ Benefits are hidden income…don’t overlook them.
I’ve taken nearly 10 months of paid parental leave over the last four years. Without that income, we’d have been set back financially. Paid leave, 401k matches, equity, PTO…these perks add up and give you time and money back.
4️⃣ We maximize every perk. From credit card points paying for flights and vacations to owning LLCs for appropriate write-offs, these can help more than you think.
💬 Freedom isn’t about never working. It’s about making smart choices that create space to live on your own terms.
