My grandfather lived under the dictatorship but found a way to feel free

My grandfather was born and spent his life for young adults under the Novo dictatorship of the Estado of Portugal, which ended in 1974.

He saw the first hand how financial insecurity could be used as a weapon – refused loans, swollen costs and the means of subsistence threatened on the basis of arbitrary labels of the lack of reliability, such as participation in the union organization.

For him, property was not only accumulating assets; It was a question of gaining a feeling of freedom and security in an authoritarian environment.

His state of mind on property has left a lasting mark on me and ruled the way I addressed my career and finances all my life.

Since I was a young boy, my grandfather would highlight the importance of not being owner and being your own master. He lived by this principle, working tirelessly and cautious in his expenses.

Thanks to these lessons, I welcomed my newborn son in the world without financial anxiety.

I learned the financial responsibility of my grandfather and my mother

My grandfather has diligently saved throughout his life. Family holidays were rare and still on a tight budget. He has only authorized expensive foods such as cheese, red meat and olives for Christmas.

He has launched several companies in port operations and financial services, companies that remain in our family. He invested in the financial markets, real estate and his expensive pieces and stamps while spending most of his life without debt.

Her daughter – My mother – received the same lessons growing up. After the end of the dictatorship, while many of her peers took advantage of a cheap credit to buy new cars and other symbols of status, she taught me one of my first funding lessons: a car is a mobility solution.

If I can buy a car for $ 10,000 and choose a model of $ 20,000, I do not only buy transport – I spend $ 10,000 for a luxury upgrade.

She didn’t tell me it was a stupid purchase. She gave me a crucial feeling of perspective that I had kept with me since.

How I cultivated my own financial safety net

When I was quite old, I left the island of Madeira and I traveled everywhere in Portugal for the next eight years, but still in order to go home.

I started my business career while traveling to Portugal. Like my grandfather, I launched several companies to create wealth and increase my future freedom in Portugal.

Some of these companies – such as the tutoring program and tourism activities – have failed. Others hold hard, such as my consulting and real estate companies.

Although entry into the startup can be risky, I have always discussed my businesses with exposure limited to risk in mind.

During the funding of funds, I did it in controlled amounts. I used credit lines for young investors who did not require any personal guarantee and could only claim the funds of my business partners and I had already engaged in the company.

I am without debt

I have never had a credit card debt or contracted a car loan. Until last year, my only debt was my domestic mortgage, but I decided to reimburse my mortgage of 30 years early.

Shortly after returning home in Madeira in 2016, my wife and I bought our first house. Eager to create a clean place and start building our life, we moved quickly – ending the entire purchase, restoration and moving process in just six months of return to the island.

The lesson that my grandfather appreciated and repeated the most was that you had to have your house.

For him, a house was not only a place to live – it was a shield against uncertainty, a guarantee that no matter what happened, his family would always have a roof over his head.

He worked hard and saved tirelessly to buy his house. He prioritized luxury security. And because of its influence, it has become my priority too.

Yes, if I had chosen to invest instead of aggressively repaying my mortgage in seven years, my net value could be higher. However, the possession of my house gave me something much more precious: the feeling of freedom and accomplishment.

Decide to rent or keep a mortgage has often been formulated to me as a way to maximize financial performance over time – an Excel problem to be resolved. However, my house means more than figures on a spreadsheet.

At this stage of my life, I am without debt, which gives me flexibility to combine my funds with strategic loans to invest in valid opportunities.

Most importantly, I have peace of mind to raise my newborn son without financial stress.

My goal has never been to pursue billions or constantly accumulate wealth

My goal was to build a life where I have enough to own what I call mine, and enough to never have the impression that someone else holds the keys to my freedom.

I was able to return from Continental Portugal to my native island, live without recovery, travel frequently with my family, take new hobbies and choose my career path according to passion rather than financial reward.

Time has shown that it was the right decision for my family. Have my freedom – financially and personally – is worth more than any investment return.