Thirty years ago, when I moved out of my parents' house, I believed the world was at my feet. But instead of a success story, my journey became a lesson in loss, debt, and the harsh reality of life. Today, I know: Financial freedom does not start with money – it starts with a decision.
### Big Dreams and Their Collapse
I had checked all the boxes: wife, house, cars. But in the end, none of it remained. No home, no marriage – just debts and the realization that life has no fixed plan, only lessons.
Why did it fail? Maybe we were not meant to be. Maybe I just was not the right one. The reasons do not matter anymore – only the result does. House sold, debts accumulated, divorced – dream shattered.
In the end, I was left with €20,000 in debt and a painful lesson: Nothing in life is certain.
### How Consumerism Consumed Me
At 42, the turning point came. Suddenly, everything was silent. No meetings, no distractions – just stillness. Many people discovered the stock market during that time. I did not. My relationship with money was catastrophic.
Although I earned well, my account was always empty. The latest iPhone, PlayStation games, expensive gadgets – I had to have them all immediately. No consumer trap was too big for me – and I fell into every one.
But it was not just my account that was empty. My mind was too. I slept poorly, was constantly irritable, and felt like I was trapped in a hamster wheel spinning faster and faster.
### The Turning Point: Debt-Free and the Stock Market
The shift did not happen overnight. It was a painful realization that I had to change. No more eBay, Amazon, and impulse spending. No more crushing debt. I wanted control over my life.
Then came the moment that changed everything: stocks. Initially skeptical, I began researching, reading blogs, and making small investments – slowly but steadily.
### What I Learned
• Patience is key – nothing improves overnight.
• Listen to your instincts – investments should be well thought out.
• Live within your means – consumerism gives short-term joy, but financial freedom matters in the long run.
Today, my relationship with money has changed. The stock market is not just a place for growth but a reflection of my own development.
