Pursue freedom first. Then use your freedom to pursue happiness.

To attain freedom, you must minimize obligations, not just financial obligation (e.g. debt) but also non-financial obligation (e.g. customs, traditions).

Happiness is fickle. What you think may make you happy may end up making you miserable. Freedom gives you the ability to experiment with what makes you happy, getting you closer to finding out what you enjoy and don't enjoy.

Freedom does not guarantee happiness but it is the best assurance we have of achieving happiness.

Pursuing freedom is far better than the path most men take, which is to enslave themselves via marriage, mortgage, and children and then rationalize why they are happy slaves as a coping mechanism.