BOOK RELEASE SOON - PRE-ORDER HERE
Most people chase money thinking it will buy them freedom.
I learnt the hard way that money without time is just another kind of prison.
A few years ago, I was in debt deep enough to keep me awake at night. It wasn’t just the numbers that hurt. It was the feeling that every minute of my day was owned by someone else. I was living on other people’s terms, working to keep the wolves away from the door, not because I wanted to.
When you’re in that place, you don’t dream about vacations or fancy cars. You dream about breathing without the weight on your chest.
The turning point came when I realised the real asset I’d lost wasn’t cash it was control over my own time. I could rebuild the money. But if I kept giving away my days to things that drained me, I’d never get them back.
So, I got ruthless.
I cut expenses and distractions to the bone.
I doubled down on income streams that could hit the debt fastest.
I stopped taking on work that sucked the life out of me, no matter how tempting the paycheck.
It took a decade, but I cleared the debt. And with it came something more valuable a promise to myself that I’d never again fill my calendar with things I didn’t believe in.
That’s why I don’t see FIRE as a magic number in the bank. For me, it’s a journey of shifting the ratio less work “for the wallet,” more work “for the soul.”
Today, I still work in fact, I probably work harder than ever. But it’s different now. My days are filled with projects I care about, building real estate I’m proud of, hosting whisky events that bring people together, restoring temples that carry history in their stones.
It’s not perfect. There are still days I trade time for money. But the balance is in my favour now.
If you’re starting your own journey, here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner
- Audit your time like your bank account. You’ll be shocked at what you’re “spending” it on.
- Cut the highest-cost items first. That toxic client, the draining side gig, the meetings that go nowhere.
- Reinvest in what lights you up. The returns are better than any market.
One day, you’ll look at your calendar and realise most of your time is finally yours. And when that happens, you’ll understand something powerful, freedom isn’t about having it all, it’s about owning enough of your life to live it your way.
About the Author:
Rakesh P Sheth is an entrepreneur in real estate, crisis management, and whisky consulting. Temple restorer, writer, and lifelong learner focused on blending business, spirituality, and storytelling.
Twitter/X : @rakeshpsheth
LinkedIn : linkedin.com/in/rakeshpsheth
Instagram : @rakeshpsheth