How to Create Financial Freedom (Without Burning Out or Selling Your Soul)
Let’s talk about something that so many incredible humans, especially purpose-driven, animal-loving, give-it-everything-you’ve-got, struggle with…
Money.
Not because you don’t earn enough.
Not because you’re not smart enough.
But because you’ve likely been trained, subtly and not-so-subtly, to put everyone else’s needs before your own.
This is even more amplified in “service careers” like vets, doctors, teachers, and nurses….
And when it comes to money, the cost of that can be huge.
Recently, I joined the fabulous Dr. Meg Kelly on the Veterinary Rehabilitation Podcast to chat about one of my favourite topics:
Here are a few golden nuggets from our conversation…
💡 Wealth Isn’t About Having More - It’s About Knowing What Is Enough
One of the biggest lies we’re sold is that “financial freedom” comes after decades of sacrifice, discipline, and chasing a number.
But real freedom isn’t about hitting a magic figure and finally being allowed to live.
It’s about knowing what enough looks like for you, and starting to build your wealthy life aligned to that now.
Wealth isn’t about quitting work.
It’s about choosing to work in a way that energises you, because your assets, your beautiful money trees, are doing some of the heavy lifting in the background.
🌱 The Power of Knowing Your “Enough” Number
If you don’t know how much is enough for the life you want, you’ll forever feel like you’re behind, even if you’re earning (and saving) well.
Here’s a simple starting point:
- Work out the lifestyle you want to live. (Be honest. Not IG feed-perfect.)
- Add up what it costs each year.
- Then divide that by 0.08 (or multiply it by 12.5).
This gives you your “enough” number, the amount of income-producing assets (investments!) you need to fund your life without trading your time for money.
Psst... You don’t have to save that whole amount yourself.
Your investments will grow. Your income will evolve. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Go here to dive into how to calculate your enough number in more detail. -
💰 Pay Yourself First - Even If It’s Just 2%
One of the most radical acts of self-worth you can practice is to consistently invest in your future self.
Even if it’s just 2% of your income to start with.
Even if your earnings fluctuate.
Even if it feels a little stretchy right now.
Because when you start doing this, automatically, monthly, without willpower, something magical happens:
- You send a message to the universe and your unconscious that there is enough for you to keep some of what you make.
- You start building a future that’s not tied to burnout.
- You prove to yourself that you are worth investing in.
🌊 What If You Don’t Have a Steady Paycheque?
If your income varies (and I know that’s true for many VetRehabbers, Vets, and Medical practitioners), your money system needs a little extra love.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Track your inflows and outflows over a few months to get a real sense of your average income.
- Build a buffer - I call it your “reservoir account”, to catch and store the overflow in high months and feed you in lean months.
- Use your average income as the base for your consistent investing.
This creates stability without needing perfection.
✨ Real Wealth = Real Choice
Here’s the truth: no one’s coming to save you.
Because you don’t need saving.
What you need are Skills. Systems. Habits.
And a juicy vision for our lives.
When you learn how to build wealth wisely, and yes, simply - you start to make decisions from a place of freedom, not fear.
And that, my friend, is what being great with your money is all about.
🎧 Dive into the full conversation
Catch the full episode of the Veterinary Rehabilitation Podcast with Dr. Meg Kelly and me:
👉 Catch our conversation here
We cover:
- Your “enough” number and how to calculate it
- Why paying yourself first is a game-changer
- Practical tips for variable income
- How to shift from burnout to flow
With wild animal love,
Ann x
