Over half of Americans say they're not even close to financial freedom

I view it as living within your means. I make more money than I spend.

I'd define it working on whatever you want for a living.

I don't necessarily mean surfing and getting drunk every day, but just being able to make a living off something that you actually want to do.

I make enough to make ends meet and pay off my mortgage and then some, but I'm not financially secure enough to just quit from one day to the next or start a company myself to make the things that I think the world needs or that I find interesting.

I believe that there's a huge potential if people weren't bound to always have a job that pays the bills. Most people are limited to carrying out the ideas of a few people who have the means to live their dreams.

Universal basic income could solve this and realise that potential. And it only requires taxing of the richest or automation of the government services. If we did a little of each, we could actually have this.

My definition is:

Ability to pay all expenses, including things like sudden repairs, medical payments, job loss for up to 6 months, etc with minimal impact to quality of life.

Ability to partake in moderate luxuries such as travel, dining out, new phone/TV/etc every so often. Does not mean you have enough to always buy whatever you want, but have enough to have some extra enjoyment.

Ability to take care of 1-2 children including education, day care, medical, activities, etc

Just based on the healthcare component alone, I don't think it's feasible for Americans to be financially free until they hit the millions. Otherwise, if you ignore that aspect I'd say its around the mid level executive type of income or about ~$300-600k year depending on location. If it's just moderate financial stability, then it's maybe only $90-200k, but I don't think I'd call that level 'free'