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Would you like to become financially free, but worry that your chronic illness may be holding you back?
If so, I completely understand how you feel, as I had the exact same concerns.
Living with a chronic illness can be challenging, both physically and financially (and mentally, spiritually, and so on, but I digress). Between the constant medical bills and physical symptoms, it can feel impossible to get ahead at times.
And let’s face it, at times an achievement for the day might simply be getting out of bed. When you live with a chronic illness, you constantly battle the demands of your illness and your dreams for the future. It isn’t easy, but somehow you find a way.
If your dreams include becoming financially free, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading on for 10 steps you can use to build your financial future.
A Reason to Become Financially Free
It’s not an easy journey to become financially free, even without a chronic illness, but that journey can be an incredibly valuable pursuit.
Financial freedom can bring peace of mind, and the opportunity to spend more time doing the things you love, among other great benefits.
As a chronic illness warrior, you’re playing the game of life on hard mode, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still achieve your most ambitious dreams.
You deserve your dreams, disability or not, and up next are 10 steps you can use to build your FIRE runway to help you become financially free.
10 Steps to Build Your FIRE Runway
It is possible to achieve financial freedom, even if you have a disability. Here are 10 steps you can use to build your FIRE runway so you can become financially free:
1. Set financial goals.
Put some thought into what you want to accomplish and what matters most to you.
You’ll want to ask yourself some important questions. For instance, what does financial freedom mean to you? Do you want to be able to retire early? Do you want to have enough money to cover your medical expenses?
Once you know what you want, you can create a plan to achieve it.
Psst… if you need a tool to help you track the progress you’re making toward your goals, I recommend using ClickUp (their free tier alone is amazingly helpful!).
2. Get a financial education.
There are many resources available to help you learn about personal finance. You can read books, take online courses, or talk to a financial advisor.
The more you know about money, the better equipped you will be to make sound financial decisions.
3. Create a budget.
A budget is a great way to track your spending and make sure you’re on target with your financial goals. There are many different budgeting methods available, so find one that works for you.
4. Pay down debt.
Debt can be a major financial burden, so it is important to pay it off as quickly as possible. If you have high-interest debt, focus on paying that off first.
5. Save for an emergency fund.
An emergency fund can help you cover unexpected expenses. This could include medical bills, car repairs, or a job loss. Ideally, you’ll want to save at least 3-6 months of living expenses in your emergency fund.
6. Invest for the future.
Once you have paid off your debt and saved for an emergency fund, you can start investing for the future. There are many different investment options available, so do some research to find the ones that are right for you.
I personally recommend reading the following books to advance your knowledge of investing:
The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing
A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market
7. Protect your assets.
Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage to protect your assets in case of an unexpected event. This could include health insurance, disability insurance, and life insurance.
8. Live below your means.
One of the best ways to become financially free is to live below your means. This means spending less money than you earn.
Consider cutting out expenses that aren’t serving you, such as a monthly cable or gym bill that you aren’t using.
That doesn’t mean you need to trim everything but consider keeping only the things that add value to your life, then trim the rest!
9. Be patient and persistent.
It takes time and effort to become financially free. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep at it and you will eventually reach your goals.
10. Find support.
There are many people who can help you on your journey to financial freedom. Talk to your friends, family, or financial advisor. There are also many online forums and support groups available.
It is possible to become financially free, even if you live with a chronic illness. By following these steps, you can build your FIRE runway and achieve your financial goals.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to support your journey to becoming financially free:
Be flexible.
Your financial plans may need to change as your health changes. Be prepared to adjust your budget and investment strategies as needed.
Take care of yourself.
I know, easier said than done, right? Whether it’s easy or hard to maintain your health, it is your most important asset, so make sure you’re doing your part to keep it on track.
Get the medical care you need, keep up your medications, and take care of your physical and emotional health, at least where possible.
Consider working from home.
This can give you more flexibility and allow you to work around your health needs.
Look for jobs that offer disability benefits.
This will help you protect your income in case you become unable to work.
Take advantage of government programs.
There are many government programs available to help people with chronic illnesses, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
There are many people who are willing to help you on your journey to become financially free, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Live your life, and don’t let your chronic illness define you. Enjoy your life and spend money on the things that are serving you.
Remember, you are not alone. There are many people with chronic illnesses who have achieved financial freedom. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve your financial goals too.
And if you need additional support, I’m happy to be a resource to you. While I’m still on my own journey to become financially free, I’ve made immense progress and I’m more than happy to share the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Tell me about your unique situation in the comments below and I’ll respond directly to you. Otherwise, I wish you the best of luck on your journey to become financially free!
Recommended Reading
10 Tips for the Chronic Illness Warrior: How to Achieve Financial Freedom with FIRE
How to Build a Solid Savings That Supports the Medical Needs of Your Chronic Illness
How to Navigate a Career with a Chronic Illness: 10 Tips for Career Success
Top 10 Best Side Hustles for the Chronic Illness Warrior
10 Simple Steps You Can Follow as a Chronic Illness Warrior to Jumpstart Your Side Hustle
Additional Resources
- The Campaign for Disability Employment
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- The National Organization on Disability (NOD)
- The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
- The American Chronic Pain Association
- The Invisible Disabilities Association
Think beginning your journey to become financially free will help you FIRE Your Life? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.
FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.
Tools and Resources I recommend in this article:
ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking tool)
The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing (great intro to investing book)
A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market (a more comprehensive book to help you learn the ins and outs of stock market investing)
