What is wealth without freedom?
It’s a cage with velvet walls. It might look good on paper, but it doesn’t feel good in your soul.
Freedom is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s the foundation.
Because you can’t be expressed, expansive, or at peace without it. And you can’t truly be wealthy without peace.
So what is freedom?
It’s the ability to choose.
The capacity to create.
The power to live where you want, do what you want, and be with who you want.
Without it, purpose feels forced. Expression gets smothered. Creativity dies a quiet death.
I used to underestimate the value of control.
Until I gave it up.
One of my toughest entrepreneurial battles was with a minority partner.
He wanted to control my calendar, my choices, my creativity. Telling me where to be, what to do, how to do it. And even if he’d been right—he wasn’t—the damage to my inspiration, my clarity, and my autonomy was not worth it.
I’ve come to realize that freedom isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the defining line between abundance and scarcity.
That’s why I’ve never been a fan of 401(k)s.
The government holds the puppet strings.
It’s why I exited the stock market.
Because I had no influence. No say. No agency.
Today, I don’t outsource my future. I may not have total control over every business outcome, but I have influence.
I can choose my moves, shape my message, and call my shots. I publish my own books. I own my intellectual property. I build relationships—not just transactions.
That’s why I let go of my licenses—Series 6, 63, 65, and even my insurance license. Because those licenses came with strings attached. Silencing creativity. Muzzling truth. Enforcing outdated dogma for the sake of product sales, not people’s outcomes.
That system doesn’t serve entrepreneurs.
It serves Wall Street.
It punishes questions and worships conformity.
It sells scarcity in the name of security.
And that’s why I wrote Killing Sacred Cows—to challenge those myths we’ve been indoctrinated with. The idea that risk equals reward. That accumulating is better than utilizing. That someday matters more than today. That a penny saved is a penny earned—even if it costs you your joy, your vision, and your calling.
Most of what passes for financial advice today is just repackaged fear.
“Just stick with it for 30 years.”
“Invest consistently, regardless of outcomes.”
“Buy and hold. Hope and wait.”
That’s not a plan. That’s a prayer.
And “hope” is not a strategy.
There is a better way.
Prioritize cash flow.
Create guaranteed returns through efficiency.
Build economic independence.
Because you are the asset.
And where’s the commission on that?
Wall Street won’t reward you for building your business.
But it’s your business that can build your wealth.
So ask yourself:
What’s your money mindset?
Do you understand your investments?
Do you know when to go to cash—or when to strike?
Do you have a team, a strategy, a vision?
Most importantly—do you feel free?
Freedom has been hijacked and redefined by retirement fantasies. A number in an account. A someday that never comes.
But what about now?
What about quality of life, financial clarity, purpose, peace of mind?
What about healing your relationship with money and unlocking your potential?
What about writing a new story—one of creation, connection, and contribution?
When are you most free?
For me, it’s waking up with a sense of purpose.
Doing work I love with people I love.
Feeling inspired.
Feeling expressed.
Feeling like I’ve already won.
That’s not something mutual funds or ETFs ever gave me. They gave me stress, not accountability. Confusion, not clarity.
And in this game—clarity is power.
So where aren’t you free?
No one’s coming to save you. But you can save yourself.
Through service.
Through education.
Through value creation.
This is a game of responsibility.
Seeing problems—and solving them.
Collaborating. Contributing. Creating.
Because freedom isn’t about escape.
It’s about alignment.
It’s about building a life you never want to retire from.
So let’s build it.
Ready to Stop Guessing With Your Money?
Most financial advice tells you to save more and spend less. That’s a losing game. Garrett’s free book Killing Sacred Cows reveals why the conventional wisdom is costing you—and what to do instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is freedom essential to wealth?
Because wealth without freedom is a cage. You might have money, but if you can’t choose where you live, what you do, or who you spend time with, you’re not wealthy—you’re trapped in a system that controls you instead of serving you.
What is the relationship between wealth and control?
Control is the foundation of freedom—and freedom is the foundation of wealth. When you control your time, decisions, and capital, you can create, express, and live at peace; without it, purpose feels forced and wealth feels hollow.
How does freedom impact your financial decisions?
Freedom allows you to make decisions from abundance instead of scarcity. When you’re not desperate, you can negotiate better terms, walk away from bad deals, and invest in opportunities that align with your values—not just your survival.
Can you be wealthy without financial freedom?
No—financial freedom is the ability to choose. If your money controls you, dictates your schedule, or limits your options, you’re not wealthy; you’re just rich on paper. True wealth means your capital serves your purpose, not the other way around.
