Reframe "Wealth" as "Time Leverage"

Wealthy people usually think that having many assets means they are rich. However, real financial freedom comes from using money to gain time. Rather than only seeking better returns, consider how your assets can help you spend less time on unimportant tasks. For instance, employing a personal assistant to take care of admin duties, hiring an organizer to make your home more efficient, or working with a financial advisor to oversee your investments can give you back hours each week. This time can then be devoted to what really counts: family, interests, or important projects that reflect your goals.

Outsource "Time-Draining" Core Tasks

Even wealthy people can find themselves trapped in tasks that eat up time, such as grocery shopping, home upkeep, or planning travel. Think of these chores as "time debts" and use your resources to reduce them. Consider hiring high-end services like personal chefs who can prepare meals for the week, full-service management for vacation properties, or luxury travel concierges to handle every trip detail. These choices aren’t just luxuries; they are smart investments that free up your hours for experiences that enhance your life, which is essential for true time freedom.

Put Your Money Into Passive Income That Needs Little Supervision

Not every passive income source contributes equally to time freedom. Steer clear of investments that require frequent attention, such as flipping homes or managing small rentals. Instead, look for low-maintenance options like dividend-paying stocks from reputable companies, index funds, or fractional ownership in properties managed by experts. These avenues generate income without the need for regular oversight, allowing you to focus on activities that take time—like starting a passion project or enjoying more quality time with loved ones.

Choose Experiences That Enrich Time Rather Than Material Wealth

Living a high-consumption lifestyle often consumes spare time: managing a large closet, owning several cars, or taking care of multiple properties. Direct your energy toward enriching experiences that take time but are truly rewarding—such as a month-long family safari or taking a sabbatical to learn a new skill. Use your wealth to remove obstacles to these experiences: arrange private transport to avoid travel delays, hire a tutor to speed up your learning, or donate to a charity to secure meaningful volunteer positions. This allows you to trade time spent on material things for time dedicated to personal fulfillment.

Unexpected situations—like a family member falling ill or a work emergency—can undermine time freedom if you're unprepared. Set aside part of your wealth as a "time buffer," using liquid funds along with services like on-demand healthcare workers, emergency travel plans, or temporary staff for your business. This cushion enables you to manage crises without losing time for what matters most, keeping your time freedom intact in the face of surprises.

Match Your Career with Time Flexibility

Achieving freedom from financial concerns doesn’t necessarily mean leaving your job—it involves selecting work that provides time flexibility. For those with high earnings, this could entail negotiating for a flexible work schedule, transitioning to consulting where you dictate hours, or growing a business that operates without your daily oversight. Use your current wealth to facilitate this change: hire leaders to run your business, invest in tools for client work automation, or take a temporary pay cut to gain additional time. The aim is to make your work adapt to your time, not the reverse.

（Writer：Frid）