Why am I mentioned this? If the average investor gets serious about investing around 30 and retires at 65, they only have 35 years to really put their money to work. So, if you buy into Wall Street’s buy and hold mantra and time it right at the end of 35 years you will have absolutely nothing to show for your efforts. All of the gains of the first 17 years will be given away in the next 17.

I have said all of that to say if you have any desire to become financial free - independent thinking is a requirement. It’s time to throw out many of the truism you have readily accepted especially if it was recommended by Wall Street. Like buy and hold for the long run. Or if you bought a stock at $30 and now it’s trading at $20 buy more. Obviously if you liked it at $30 - you must really like it at $20. Or I’m too busy to manage my finances - I will turn it over to a professional. That one drives me nuts. Number 2 of my “5 Not So Easy Steps to Financial Freedom” is shift. Until you are ready to start thinking differently, make sure that your boss likes you :)

About the Author

Michael Dawson recently said goodbye to a 20 year career in Engineering, Marketing and Sales to focus on living his dream of financial independence as a full-time trader on his on account. He has also established a financial education company, The Time & Money Group, to encourage others to pursue financial freedom and is publisher of the company's blog "Breaking the Shackles of the 9 to 5." His mantra is "Why trade time for money ... when you can have both."

http://www.thetimeandmoneygroup.com/blog

Make sure to read one of Dawson's most popular articles: "Saying Good-Bye to the Time for Money Swap"