For most Hongkongers, getting a pay rise and promotion is their biggest goal, and paying off the mortgage for their flat their biggest worry.

But Tsz Fan sees his career differently. In a seminar at the forum, the financial blogger gave graduates and young professionals tips on how to break this cycle by achieving financial freedom.

Simply put, he said, financial freedom means that you do not have to enter the workforce to support your expenses.

The first step is to come up with a figure for your overheads, and then make investments that can bring returns that are large enough to cover them.

The sad truth, Tsz said, is that many locals are being suffocated by sky-rocketing property prices – even a tiny flat in Tuen Mun can currently set one back around HK$4 million.

“Life looks pretty gloomy doesn’t it? Which is why I always encourage young people to start gaining knowledge on financial management early,” he said.

He added that one common problem young people have when they move from school to work is that they no longer have a timetable to compel them to manage their time. “They often complain about getting caught up in company chores and having no time to study.” Although it is an added burden for full-time workers, Tsz urged audience members to prioritise financial knowledge.  “If you don’t think it is important and don’t make an effort to learn, then you’ll never have it,” he said.