Knowledge Marketplace
My First Million

My First Million

The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.

Back to Mental Models

Money as Freedom From vs Freedom To

True financial freedom means money no longer controls your decisions, rather than simply being able to buy anything you want

Decision Rule

Evaluate financial decisions based on whether they increase or decrease money's control over your life choices

How It Works

When money doesn't drive decisions, you can optimize for happiness, fulfillment, and long-term well-being rather than short-term financial gain

Failure Modes

Continuing to accumulate wealth while remaining controlled by money anxiety

Making life decisions purely based on financial optimization

Confusing spending power with actual financial freedom

Example Decision

Choosing to live in high-tax location because it provides better quality of life, rather than moving somewhere purely for tax savings