This is the sixth article detailing the steps to reaching financial independence. To read more about the steps, then click on this page link. To read more articles in this series click on the following links. Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4 and Step 5.

The idea and reason for the name of this website is the goal of reaching the financial summit. This idea came about from thinking about hiking in the mountains. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do, but does not happen very often, because Houston doesn't have much of an elevation change. Therefore, I have to go on trips to visit and hike different regions across the United States. There is something about being in nature that calms your soul. There is something about trudging through the country side to eventually reach the top of the mountain. This can take hours and sometimes days, but it is worth the reward of the view from the top of the mountain. You might even get to sit down and enjoy a snack or a sandwich as you relish the view from the top.

Similarly, Step 6 is the point in your financial journey when you reach the summit. The summit is the point in which you have made enough money that your money is making more than you can. You don't have to work anymore at this point in the journey. You could retire and live off of the returns of your investments. This should be the goal of every American. Having enough to retire and support your household. You don't have to rely on Social Security from the government. You don't have to hope that your kids will be able to help you in retirement. You did it yourself and now you can relax on the top of the financial summit.

Anything good in life won't be easy. The hike to top of the mountain is never easy, but you just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes you take breaks, as needed, but you keep pushing along. Your financial journey is very similar. You work hard, even work some overtime to get out of debt. You build an emergency fund, to protect from unexpected expenses. You invest every month for your retirement. You pay extra on your house. You sacrifice for the financial security in retirement. Sometimes, you even take a break and go on vacation. And eventually after years of hard work and sacrifice, you reach the financial summit. You have ensured security for your family in retirement. You have ensured an inheritance to your children's children. You have ensured that you can help people in need.

This is the reason that I write this blog. It's not because I'm greedy. It's not because all I care about is the money in my bank account. I write this because I want to reach this point. I want to leave a blessing for my family. I want to be able to do things in retirement that I never imagined. I want to be able to retire early and focus on a second career. I want to be able to give money to people. Not just a little bit of money, but if we reach the point in which money is not a problem, then we could give like crazy. We could give to drill for water in Africa. We could give bikes to kids in need. We could give our time and money to missions across the country and even the world. When money is not a problem or a worry, then you can do anything that your heart desires.

If you haven't figured it out by now, Step 6 is all about one thing:

Reaching the Financial Summit.

Imagine that you are still on top of the mountain and just finished your snack. You will eventually have to go back down the mountain. But this time it will be different. The hike is not as difficult. You get enjoy more of the view on the way down, because you are not expending as much energy. This is another reason to shoot for the financial summit. Your money that you have saved is now working for you. Your investments are earning enough that you can live off of them. You can quit your job and enjoy your time. You could can give outrageously.

Everybody should be aspiring to reach this point of financial security. To do this, you must start being smart with your money. Stop spending more than you make. Start saving for the future. Work some overtime and get out of debt. Nobody can do it for you. Only you can set yourself up for financial success. That's right, only you. Take the initiative today and start climbing the financial mountain.