Final Fantasy XIII is released tomorrow. I'll still update the blog (probably) but the business activity is halted for the week. Although, I know myself, I'll probably end up going into my investing office and playing on the television there because I had one put over the fireplace for CNBC but is more often used for taking a break in the middle of the afternoon.

When I tell you that the first stage of financial success is having control over your time, this is what I mean …

When I was a kid, the worst thing in the world was getting a video game for your birthday (ahem, Chrono Trigger), and then waking up the next morning early so you could play it before leaving for school.  All throughout the day, it’s all you could think about because the characters would be calling to you … what happens next in the plot?  You run home after school and play all day.

Tomorrow, Final Fantasy XIII is released.  I’ve been playing the series since I was in fifth or sixth grade and Final Fantasy VI (then called III in the United States) was released and Ruby took me to the mall and bought it for my birthday.  Nearly two decades later, I have a copy of Final Fantasy XIII for XBOX 360, along with a collector’s edition of the player’s guide in hardbound copy, set for delivery.

Now, I don’t have to go through that excruciating dread of going to school or the office when I’d rather be home playing the game.  I’ve informed everyone that I am not to be disturbed for the week.  Why?  I’m going to sit in front of my beautiful high definition television at home, turn on the fireplace, and play the game undisturbed.  As I progress in the game, I’ll still be collecting dividends, rents, royalties, and profits in real life because of the decisions I made years ago.  I explained how terrifyingly similar my path to wealth was to the same one used by players making money in Fable 2.

I think the thing that probably makes or breaks any Final Fantasy series game, besides plot of course, is the battle system.

Aaron has informed me that he will be taking the week off to play the game, although he still plans on going to work in the mornings to get some things done that he wants finished.

This is a perfect example of everything I’ve been trying to teach my friends, family, and readers for years.  Financial success is being able to do what you want, when you want, and still afford the things you desire.  I get closer and closer each day to where I want to be, but I have had total control over my time my entire life – I’ve never had to work for anyone else because of my excessive habit of saving so much of my income.

Related posts:

1. First Impressions of Final Fantasy XIII
2. I Beat Final Fantasy XIII Tonight
3. 15 Hours of Final Fantasy XIII