Financial Independence is a Huge Scam

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Steve Antonioni is not a financial advisor and nothing in this video should be construed as investment advice.

[everythingeastbay]

So spot on. I’ve been a real estate agent for the past 12 years because everybody everywhere told me I could make a lot of money and then retire early. I have secretly hated it for the last 12 years. It’s sucked the life out of me. I’ve made money, but it’s not worth it anymore. At 41 years old, as I listen to this, I’m currently packing up my house, closing my business, and getting ready to change everything. Wish me luck. 😊

[BananaCakeGirl]

I have found a job that I enjoy doing, that I’m good at, and earn decent money. I work 4 days a week, live comfortably, and have time for travel and hobbies. I’m in my late thirties. I am working towards financial independence but am in no rush to retire early. Because I’m happy NOW. My life is happy NOW. If one of the point of life and pursuit of freedom is happiness, I have that now. I’m not waiting for another 10–20 years for that. If you don’t like what you do, keep searching. Be happy NOW.

[GibsonJames-gron]

Financial independence is a scam?…. How do people have such stupid money 😣😣

[Beckylouis-cc]

It seems certain stocks are undervalued, flying under the radar despite their potential. You can't help but wonder when the market will recognize their true worth. How can I invest $600K wisely to ensure our future security?

[mayacho]

Nobody can become financially successful over night. They put in background work but we tend to see the finished part. Fear is a dangerous component, hindering us from taking bold steps we need in other to reach our goals.

[jesse.medina]

This cut deep. Deeper than you probably intended. In a good way. Your thoughts, struggles, and journey feel eerily similar to mine. From challenging authority growing up, to fearing the shackles of a 9-5, to pursing FIRE, to going all in for years, to beginning to question it all, and to realizing the importance of not delaying our life worth living. Even your concerns around having to play the YouTube "game".The difference is that I am season one Thorfinn (from Vinland Saga - thanks for the rec) and you are season two Thorfinn. I am still doggedly pursing what I believe to be the right path, while you have already walked it, and realized its destination was no magical land. 

Thank you for the wisdom Chef Toni, cheers.

[Mersoh]

I have noticed a shift in the FIRE subreddits in the past few years that most people now suggest "building the life you want before retirement" by working parttime, fully remote, or taking a sabbatical rather than grinding it out. Even just working only 40 hours is a step up for some. It's working quite well for me.

[alucky]

Awesome video! I think something that might build upon this “you don’t need to wait, you’re closer than you think” message for folks in the FIRE community would be covering the book Early Retirement Extreme. The author advocates that many people only need a few thousand dollars in order to be financially independent if you are willing to significantly change the way which you attempt to use money - improving yours skills to be able to do more yourself to reduce your need to pay others for everything, finding ways to live with less or often by sharing more to reduce your need for housing, and living with a greater reliance on body powered movement to reduce your need for a private motor vehicle. It was a really great book that changed my perspective - and I also heard about it from a YouTube comment! So hopefully others watching this can now too 😊

[andrewchandler]

The essential thing that everyone should be thinking about right now is investing in non-government sources of income. Especially in light of the current global economic crisis. It is still a wonderful moment to invest in gold, silver, digital money, and stocks.

[JoeDiirt]

As someone who found myself joining this rabbit hole of financial youtubers during the pandemic, I think the pivot you made was a pivot I myself needed to see as well. It helped me decrease the amount of stress I was adding onto myself by viewing things in a different/healthier perspective. The financial channels did help motivate me, and make me realize where I was doing things wrong, Where I needed to improve and give more effort. But this channel reminds me how do that, the right way. It brought me back to the mindset that made we want financial independence to begin with, which are most of the points you touched upon in the video. One love, Keep producing the content YOU want to make, Because WE appreciate it.

[antonmart]

This video actually made me cry because I didn’t think anyone understood how I feel

[DanByrneWasTaken]

The story of the man who desires no suffering, asks the monks how they experience no suffering and figures out by the very desire to not feel suffering you suffer.

You can be ambitious or content not both. Accept suffering in one of two forms, ambition for more, or acceptance of less.

Suffering is part of this deal. If you try to avoid being rained on you just get more frustrated with the rain. If you appreciate the rain the perceived time it takes to stop raining will be greatly lower.

[LisaCulton]

The point is that people aren't meant to "retire" from meaningful work at age 30. That's too young. Getting in the flow is key. I've recently started working part-time even though I don't actually have to work - I just love what I do and I enjoy helping people. It gives me as much fulfillment as travel, sports and other hobbies. I think the problem that a lot of people have is that they haven't found a purpose and they hate their jobs, so they see "early retirement" as a path to fulfillment, but they will remain unsatisfied unless they feel some purpose in what they are doing.

[MalcolmPeralty]

I'm 40 and have long suffered with depression and anxiety. I have, recently, realized that I'll probably be around for another 40+ years and need to get my finances in order, but I definitely struggle with the mindset of being a worker with the feeling that some uncaring executive could shake up my life, remove stability, and cause me to be uncomfortable in a way that my depression and anxiety will get out of control again. I do feel like being able to bet on yourself is good, but I also know that most businesses and start-ups fail. I know that we are in a time of uncertainty, a time of high inflation and high interest rates, and as such, I feel like I have this rope around me, stopping me from taking a chance on myself. I also have responsibilities to my family to make sure I am able to live up to the expectations that I've set for helping them achieve their goals and needs. Your presentation is good, but in the end, it ends up feeling as unattainable as the "cryptobros" saying that you can get rich quick.

[olivia]

I'm in college right now, and i've learned that my biggest mistake in high school was putting too much effort into it. Because then I would work myself up about studying and making things perfect, leading to more procrastination. Nowadays, I put in minimal effort and still have a 4.0. Studying is a scam. I would love to see your take on this in another video.

[goggile]

Keep doing what you are doing! Every video is so high quality, with cinematography or without. These videos are such a refresher to all the other content out there. You are authentic and that’s what’s most important. Not trying to play the “youtube game”.

[amycolucci]

Wow, this really resonated with me. I’ve been a registered dietitian in the USA for 15 years. I’m beyond burned out but being a dietitian is my identity. I need to change it I’m miserable. Thank you so much for this.

[LESHAUNWILL]

I just turned 50 and you Sir are beyond your years. What we call an old soul 😇 it was an appetizing journal entry for you that I thoroughly enjoyed. There’s a bit of envy on my part wishing I had realized in my younger days what you did. Also as a black female a lot of things weren’t privy to me. Anyways I’m on my path now. Take care Doll

[jimmyjam-vcrf]

I'm at a similar level of success and I have had similar realizations. I've come to the conclusion that the devaluation of family/relationships is the major cause of society's problems. People choose greed over people every chance they get. You talk about mortality being the ultimate equalizer and it's unfortunate a lot of people realize what matters on their death bed.

[mikejarrells]

Thanks. I retired 10 years ago. Financial independence is the beginning. Once you are free from wage slavery, you get to decide who you want to be (authentic, self actualization, & individuation). Don't settle (for toxic relationships). Entrepreneurship (YouTube content creator) isn't financial independence. It's another form of wage slavery.