Independence or living life on your own terms does not come from financial Independence, living alone, or even knowledge. It comes from self-awareness. Our choices can be exercised when we are aware of our own values. Absent-minded indulgence or selfless sacrifices are two extreme scenarios of what happens when we do not exercise our judgement and discrimination while making choices or taking decisions without self-awareness. Both of these go against our well-being.
No wonder, Gandhi described Swarajya as 'Enlightened self-rule'.
Nothing is particularly right or good for anyone. What determines whether something is right is whether the process (means) and the consequences (end) align with our values.
That is why Gandhi said that the means are as important as the end.