The first time I encountered the concept of financial freedom, it felt like chasing a mirage—something shimmering in the distance but perpetually out of reach. We’ve all heard the phrase tossed around in self-help books and late-night infomercials, but what does it truly mean to unlock that golden genie inside you? For me, it wasn’t until I started drawing parallels between financial strategy and my experience playing The Rogue Prince of Persia that the pieces began to fall into place. In that game, as in life, progress isn’t always about the big, flashy wins. Sometimes, it’s the small, consistent steps—the upgrades, the learned patterns—that pave the way to something greater.

Let’s be honest: achieving financial freedom can seem as daunting as clearing the first two bosses in The Rogue Prince of Persia on your very first run. Sure, it’s possible—in theory. But realistically? You’re going to need a few upgrades first. I remember playing the game and thinking, “Okay, I just need to beat these bosses to reach the palace.” But without understanding their attack patterns or upgrading my character’s abilities, I kept hitting walls. The same applies to money. Jumping straight into aggressive investments or complex side hustles without building foundational knowledge is like rushing into a boss fight unprepared. You might get lucky once, but consistency? That requires strategy.

One of the game’s most brilliant design choices is its mind board—a system that lets you track smaller objectives, like uncovering clues or rescuing characters, even when you lose a run. I can’t tell you how many times I faced that second boss, only to walk away thinking, “Well, I didn’t win, but I uncovered who the first boss kidnapped and where to find them.” That sense of accomplishment, however small, kept me motivated. Translating this to finances, the first secret is to reframe what “winning” means. Instead of fixating on that elusive million-dollar milestone, break it down. Maybe this month, you’ll save an extra $200, pay off a credit card, or finally understand how compound interest works. These aren’t just tasks; they’re threads in your own financial mind board. Crossing them off builds momentum, and momentum builds confidence.

Now, let’s talk upgrades. In The Rogue Prince, you don’t stand a chance against tougher enemies without better gear or abilities. Financially, your upgrades come in the form of education and skill-building. I made it a point to dedicate at least five hours a week to learning—whether it was reading up on index funds, watching breakdowns of real estate markets, or practicing negotiation techniques for salary raises. Did I always get it right? Absolutely not. Early on, I put about $1,500 into a trendy tech stock because everyone was talking about it, only to watch it drop 30% in two months. But here’s the thing: that loss taught me more than any win could have. It was my financial “boss fight,” and though I lost, I walked away with a better understanding of market volatility.

Another secret? Embrace the runs. In gaming terms, a “run” is an attempt—you try, you fail, you try again. I must have attempted that second boss six or seven times before everything clicked. With finances, it’s easy to get discouraged when a budget fails or an investment underperforms. But what if, instead of seeing it as a failure, you treated it as a data-gathering run? For example, I once tracked every expense for three months and realized I was spending nearly $175 a month on subscription services I barely used. Cutting those felt like unlocking a new ability—it didn’t solve everything, but it freed up resources for things that mattered.

Then there’s the emotional component. After one particularly brutal loss in the game, I remember feeling oddly energized. Why? Because I’d uncovered a key piece of the story—the location of a kidnapped character. That small victory made me eager to jump back in. Financially, I’ve learned to celebrate the “side quests.” Maybe you negotiated a lower interest rate on your student loans or finally set up an emergency fund with three months’ worth of expenses. These moments might not make you rich overnight, but they reinforce the journey. Personally, I’m a big believer in automating savings—it’s like setting up your character to auto-collect coins while you focus on the bigger battles. Over the past year, automating just 10% of my income into a high-yield savings account has grown my nest egg by roughly $4,200 without me lifting a finger.

Of course, none of this works without understanding your own patterns—both in games and in spending. In The Rogue Prince, each boss has a tell, a rhythm to their attacks. Miss it, and you’re done. With money, we all have financial “tells.” Mine was impulsive online shopping after a stressful day. Once I identified that pattern, I created a 24-hour cooling-off period for any non-essential purchase. It sounds simple, but it saved me an estimated $3,000 last year alone. The key is to know yourself well enough to anticipate your moves before they cost you.

So, where does this leave us? Financial freedom isn’t a single, grand triumph. It’s the sum of those smaller, intentional steps—the upgrades, the learned patterns, the celebrated side quests. Just like in The Rogue Prince of Persia, you might not reach the palace on your first run, but each attempt brings you closer. Start with your mind board: define what “victory” means to you, break it down, and track your progress. Learn from every loss, and don’t underestimate the power of a good upgrade—whether it’s knowledge, automation, or self-awareness. That golden genie isn’t as elusive as it seems. You’ve already got the lamp; now it’s time to polish it, one run at a time.