The True Meaning of Being “Financially Free”

The True Meaning of Being “Financially Free”

I wasn’t born in the United States. But I love this country with all my heart.

America gave me everything I value: Opportunity, mentors, love, friendship, and the type of painful life lessons only a free-market economy can provide.

Most importantly, America gave me the freedom to pursue the life I wanted on my own terms.

That’s why on this Memorial Day, I want to remember all the fallen soldiers and also thank the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen who protect our country.

These are the real heroes.

They are the people who defend our freedoms. The very same freedoms that are under attack by Big Government and Big Tech.

That’s why I left Wall Street over 20 years ago.

I wanted to help everyday Americans – the same people who welcomed me with open arms when I came to this country – achieve their financial freedom and maintain their financial privacy.

I’m proud to say that I’ve arguably helped more people achieve both of those objectives than any other newsletter editor in the country.

So on this Memorial Day, allow me to share the story of my journey to understanding the true nature of freedom. Hopefully, it will inspire you to do the same.

My Journey to True Freedom

Today, I live by the ocean in the Caribbean. And I spend a lot of time sailing on my 50-foot catamaran.

I’m sure many people see this and think I’m just some rich guy from Wall Street who was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

Nothing could be further from the truth…

I grew up in Britain’s foster care system. I lived in a cramped, unheated room on top of a garage. At night, I watched my breath coil into a frigid mist. And the future looked as bleak as my tiny room.

Since I was 12, I dreamed of working in the stock market. I once shared that dream with my school job counselor. His response? He told me to be more realistic.

“Be a telephone repairman,” he advised me.

But I knew in my heart my future was in the financial markets.

As a teenager trapped in the foster care system, I soon realized no one was going to rescue me… That meant I had to rescue myself.

So, when I turned 16, I left for the land of freedom: America.

I arrived in this country in 1987 with only $150 in my pocket and literally the clothes on my back.

American capitalism allowed me to become a self-made multimillionaire. But it wasn’t easy.

When I first arrived in America, I lived in a tiny apartment in Queens, N.Y.

During the day, I worked 8-hour shifts at Roy Rogers. At night, I worked 4-hour shifts at the Key Food supermarket – bagging groceries and sweeping floors.

On Saturday and Sunday, I’d work 12-hour shifts at a newspaper store stocking shelves and preparing the Sunday papers.

It never bothered me to work like that. I never felt somebody owed me anything.

I was overjoyed I had the freedom to find so much work. To me, America was a paradise. A place that rewarded hard work.

But I still had a dream to pursue. I wanted to make it on Wall Street.

So when I turned 18, I wrangled an introduction with a hiring manager at Lehman Brothers. He had no interest in me until I told him I’d work for free.

I was so overjoyed that someone was willing to give me a shot.

At Lehman, they would work you for a full week and only pay you for 29 hours so they didn't have to give you benefits. My pay was a whopping $4 per hour. But I didn't care about that. They gave a kid with no skills a shot.

And that was all I needed. By the time I was 20, I had become the youngest vice president in Shearson Lehman history.

I worked on Wall Street for 15 years as a money manager. I made good money. But helping the rich get richer just left me feeling empty.

I had success. I had accolades. But I wasn't happy.

I realized on Wall Street I was extracting value from the world. I wasn't adding value. I was part of a system that was actually widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

And coming from my blue-collar background where I started out loading-trucks… working in kitchens… mopping floors… It just never felt right to me.

America has given so much to me. And I wanted to give back.

So, I left Wall Street and joined the newsletter industry in 2005.

I wanted to help everyday people like me – people who are willing to work hard, be focused, and do the right thing — have a legitimate shot at financial freedom.

It took years of research, but in 2016 I finally discovered an idea that could help people achieve their financial freedom while maintaining their financial privacy.

Of course, I’m talking about bitcoin.

Real Money = Real Freedom