'No shortcuts, only strategy': CA shares 7-step blueprint for financial freedom in just 5 years

Most people assume financial freedom is a distant dream, something that takes 20–30 years of hard work, savings, and traditional investing. But Chartered Accountant Nithin Kaushik believes the timeline can be drastically shortened — to as little as five to seven years — if approached strategically. 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kaushik broke down his practical blueprint. Instead of chasing crores, he urges people to redefine financial freedom and build it systematically. 

1. Define your financial freedom number 

Financial freedom is not about how much you earn, but about covering your monthly expenses without relying on a job. 

Example: If your expenses are ₹35,000/month, your target is to generate ₹35,000/month in passive or semi-passive income. 

Once this threshold is met, you’re financially free — regardless of whether you earn ₹50,000 or ₹5 lakh per month. 

2. Diversify beyond salary 

Relying solely on a paycheck is risky. Kaushik emphasizes creating multiple income streams as a safety net. Options include: 

• Freelancing or consulting in your area of expertise 
• Starting a small service-based business 
• Rental income from property 
• Dividend-paying stocks 
• Digital products like e-books, templates, or online courses 

The idea: If one stream dries up, others can keep you afloat. 

3. Treat skills as wealth machine 

“You can’t save your way to freedom. You have to earn more,” Kaushik writes. To accelerate income growth, identify skills that are in demand: 

• Tech: Coding, AI tools, web/app design 
• Marketing: Ads, content creation, brand growth 
• Finance: Tax planning, investing advice 
• Operations: Automation, process improvement 

Once learned, these skills can be monetized through freelancing, product creation, or even scaling into a business. 

4. Beware the lifestyle trap 

A common mistake is expanding lifestyle as income grows — buying a bigger car, a new home, or adding unnecessary subscriptions. This eats into savings and delays financial freedom. Kaushik advises: hold expenses steady while income rises. The widening gap between earnings and expenses becomes your investable surplus. 

5. Invest surplus wisely 

Surplus income should not sit idle. Smart, consistent investing accelerates compounding. Kaushik recommends: 

• Index funds or ETFs for steady, diversified growth 
• Blue-chip dividend stocks for reliable payouts 
• Debt funds or fixed deposits for stability and safety 
• Reinvesting returns helps build momentum toward the freedom number faster. 

6. Learn money like your life depends on it 

Financial literacy is non-negotiable. “The more you understand, the fewer mistakes you’ll make,” Kaushik notes. He suggests continuous self-education via: 

• Books on investing and personal finance 
• Podcasts and YouTube channels 
• Online courses and communities 
• Relying on external advisors without personal knowledge can lead to costly mistakes. 

7. The hard truth: No shortcuts 

Kaushik stresses that this is not about luck or quick hacks. Financial freedom requires daily discipline — building skills, creating value, and reinvesting diligently for 5-7 years. 

The reward? A future where your bills are covered without depending on your boss or a paycheck. 

CA Nithin Kaushik’s framework shifts the focus from chasing huge salaries or “get-rich-quick” schemes to a more practical, structured approach. By defining personal financial goals, building multiple income streams, investing surplus wisely, and staying disciplined, he believes anyone — regardless of age — can compress the journey to financial freedom into just a few years.