Financial freedom isn't about how big your income is, but how long you could live without that income. If I'm making $1m a year, but I'm a dumbass and spend $995k, I'm just as tied to my paycheck as the guy who only earns $50k and spends $45k. A guy who earns $100k a year and still only spends $45k is much better off than either of those two. Having a larger income impacts your financial freedom only to the extent that you're able to sock more money away and live off of that (or the proceeds if you invest). Otherwise, you're just a wage slave with nicer toys.

Money doesn't buy happiness, but it does buy options.