Affording Freedom

Fahmida Sheuly

Ever since I was eight years old in a little village in Bangladesh, I recognized that money could afford me freedom. I earned money from foot races and by taking academic tests and earning scholarships. We were not affluent growing up and if I wanted things, I wanted to earn them. One of my superpowers is creatively finding ways to earn money.

When my family moved to NYC in my teens, I tutored my neighbors’ kids to support my hobbies and special extra-curricular interests. As soon as I turned 18, I told my parents that I wanted to be responsible for all my bills. I wanted my bills forwarded to my college address. It required working hard to earn scholarships, coordinate financial aid, and work study, while also working at the mall/restaurants. Not taking support from my family meant I got to choose my major and classes. Money allowed me to decide my own fate.

Being financially responsible gave me the ability to move cross country to attend school in California. It afforded me the privilege of not being beholden to my husband to finance my life after I got married. I often hear stories of women who feel they cannot leave an unhealthy situation because they aren’t financially self-sufficient. When my marriage collapsed and it was time for me to leave, there was no question that I could afford to do that. I am grateful for my money management skills. At no point in time have I had to stay stuck in a relationship that wasn’t good for me.

As a matter of fact, I financed my own two-week trip to Hawaii after my divorce. Taking solo vacations has been something that is important to me and vital to my self-care. I have had a six figure salary since I was 29 years old, but didn’t only have one high-paying job. I have waited tables, tutored, started side hustles, moderated extra-curricular activities where I teach, and have even become a

Natural Bodybuilding Competition Show Promoter. If I think I can’t afford to do something, I determine how I can afford it rather than deny myself what I want or need.

When I moved back to NYC after my divorce, my commitment to financial independence allowed me to own a multi-family house. I was able to generate income from it because I was willing to work as a landlord to pay for it. Recently I was able to sell that home for a good profit. Then I purchased a smaller home in my new state allowing for even more financial freedom. Investing in Real Estate, becoming a landlord, and owning my own property has been a great addition to my financial freedom.

Education has always been important to me – even when I was a child walking without shoes and swimming to get to school. I acquired two graduate degrees by 24 and those degrees helped me get paid more than other teachers. I look for ways to obtain new skills and credentials as a way of creating financial freedom.

I have an expensive hobby, professional bodybuilding, that I couldn’t support financially if it wasn’t for all of the ways I earn money. It requires spending for nutrition, coaching and conditioning, gyms, competition fees, and travel. Creating habits that save money like meal prepping, shopping wholesale, doing my own hair, make up, nails, buying clothes from online and discount stores, making my own coffee instead of going to Starbucks are some of the ways that save me anywhere between $1000-$1500 a month. I can put that saved money towards bodybuilding, self care, traveling, scuba diving and therapy.

I often take advantage of paid labor, especially when I lived in NYC. I hired laundromats, housekeeping and contractors which freed up my time to engage in other things that made me money. Recently I hired affordable virtual assistants from abroad. This was required to get an additional graduate degree and certifications to increase income as well as to make up for me to do side hustle consultations and business of show promotion.

Not keeping revolving debt and paying off high interest private loans or auto loans helped as well. I use credit to earn points and cash back. There was a time when I did not make enough money to pay off credit cards with cash but used some student loans to pay them off since student loans interests were much cheaper. By working in public service as an educator, my student loan debt will be forgiven after a few more years of service, saving me thousands of dollars.

At one point, I refinanced my mortgage and paid off my cars which made financial sense. I don’t have high risk investments or cryptocurrency, choosing instead to put my income into a high yield savings account except for what’s necessary for bills. I invest in my business and education/training instead which has more guaranteed return. Furthering my skills and education has afforded me to grow in my career and demand higher pay.

Having money helps me make life choices without constraint and empowers me to use my voice, demand my value and reject any behavior that is not in line with that. It also allows me to be more loving and generous. I am able to be there for my family, friends, and partners more. I can hop on a flight and visit them. I can make them feel special on their special occasions and I can help them in many other ways. For example, my mom currently cannot afford to pay for my little brother’s driving classes, but I know I can by picking up a few extra hours on my side hustle. Having the ability and means to do that is priceless to me.

Financial freedom requires sacrifice and hard work but the freedom it provides me is well worth the effort. I highly encourage all of my students, coaching clients, social media following, fellow bodybuilders, friends, and family to try. I share my successes and sacrifices to let everyone know that affording freedom is possible.

Fahmida Sheuly, 36, is a first-generation immigrant from Bangladesh, raised in NYC. She is a certified educational leader and doctoral candidate working at a public school, while also training as a professional natural bodybuilder and bodybuilding show promoter.

For more info visit www.shaktyfitness.org