New Delhi, Aug. 14 -- Financial independence is an aspiration worth pursuing, not as an escape from a toxic workplace, a bad boss or a poor appraisal, but as a means of building a richer, more purposeful life. It gives us the freedom to choose how we spend our time, how we work and what decisions we make, without every choice being dictated by the next paycheque.

While financial independence can be liberating, retiring early may feel hollow if it means withdrawing entirely from work or society without a clear end goal. Most of us want to remain relevant, continue learning and use our experience to give back. Those aspiring to FIRE (financial independence, retire early) must therefore understand both sides of the equation: the freedom gai...