: Earning enough to cover all your basic expenses without outside help (though you may still be living paycheck-to-paycheck). Breathing Room

, and the goal of financial independence is to buy back your time as quickly as possible. The 7 Levels of Financial Freedom

: Having money left over after expenses to start building an emergency fund and investing.

: Figuring out your starting point, including your net worth and exactly how much money you need to reach your goals. Self-sufficiency

In his book Financial Freedom: A Proven Path to All the Money You Will Ever Need Grant Sabatier

: Having more money than you could ever need, where your investments grow faster than you can spend. Key Strategies for Rapid Wealth Building