Financial Independence

Today, we live in an age where you can get terminated/fired/let go/laid off, at any given time for any reason whatsoever, without a moment’s notice. To many of us count on that single source of income, and yes, I am included in that. We like to think our work-ethic makes us more appealing and therefore less likely to have this happen; but at the end of the day, we are just a number (don’t believe me, view your employee file, you will find an employee number). Everyone is always replaceable when it comes to work. I have, finally, started down the path to take back MY financial independence and have more security for myself and my family. I would like to help you find your way as well, you would be amazed at how much better you feel when you do.

          To take control of your financial independence, you NEED to have realization that tomorrow you can go to work, and your office has been cleared out, or you walk through the door and are escorted directly to your manager’s office for a letter of termination, if you’re lucky, and a box with your belongings in it and HOPE that they didn’t leave anything behind. If this is the case, I encourage you to go through the box thoroughly, this happened to me and I lost photos that I will NEVER be able to get back or replace… Thanks, ATOS! Once you realize that this COULD happen you, I implore you, during down time, after you get off, or before you go in, sit down and thing about what you enjoy doing and try to find ways to use that among other things to make some extra money!

          For example, I LOVE to write. Preferably, the actual, physical action of writing, but as I am typing more, it is getting better for me. Still, nothing replaces the feeling, the sounds and action of writing. However, I have found that while I love to write, it is challenging to find something to write about. What I tend to do is write reviews on Amazon, Ebay, Cheaper Than Dirt (where I get all my ammo needs now!), and other websites I typically make purchases and review products. This gets my opinion out there and helps others make a more informed decision. I especially like to write reviews for items that have none, this can be risky though, as there are a few reasons why the product may not have any. What I have come to find though, is bad products are MORE LIKELY to have reviews that the good products.

          Writing is a way to get a message out, to get a point across, to start a conversation about a topic you feel strongly about and what more recognition towards, and so much more. I have also found that these blogs about information and trying to help others is a lot easier for me to write than the ones where I am including an affiliate link, trying to earn a commission from them. I will continue to do both, but I prefer these so much more. If you haven’t guessed it already, writing is a decent way to earn extra income. Although, in today’s world, people would much rather watch a video. You can blog, ghost write, content create, copywrite, transcribe, and so much more! I would suggest starting some type of passive writing though, you can monetize this and as long as you are paying your bill (if you have a website) it will always be there! Then, every once in a while, pick up some type of writing gig, where you find someone wanting something written for them (that they are going to monetize) and save that money.

          Another way to earn a little passive income, is by designing things like shirts, caps, pants, mugs. You can pretty much find a way to design almost anything and sell it, some will be virtually free and just cost time, while some you may have to invest in yourself with first. My suggestion, start free! See if you have the desire to actually do this. Teespring, is actually a pretty cool like site that allows you to create your designs and put them on their items (clothing, accessories, purses, etc.) and while they get most of the money, you do get a bit. If you think about it, it is a great deal, you don’t have to manage ANY inventory, no billing or shipping, nothing. So, while you may at first think it’s a rip off, remember they are supplying the overhead. There is also Merch by Amazon, but if you are like me, you don’t trust them and all their legal bs, but it is another way.

          Finally, for this post, there is Youtube. I was one of those who thought I didn’t really have anything to offer. While that is still partially true… I have noticed that there are gaps in certain genres about certain things that I have searched specifically and was not able to really find, so I made some videos and posted about it. It’s a little awkward, talking to yourself essentially, but once you get over that it really isn’t that awful. I’m not one of those looking to get rich quick from it and posting nonsense, and I implore you to do the same. I mean seriously, I can’t be the only one who is tired or seeing tik-toks and reels of hookers shaking their boobs and butts. But that’s a topic for another time.

          There are so many different opportunities out there for you to start making some extra income. It will seem daunting at first, kind of like writing for me. I love doing it, but now that I am doing it “professionally” it kind of lost it’s luster with me. It’s more of a chore now instead of a pleasure. I will get back in a better habit of writing and posting though. I have 8 posts for DIY matters, and there could be more related to Financial Security; allow me to rephrase, there are definitely more, I just don’t know if I will be writing about them. If you’d like some more options/ideas to build YOUR financial security, please reach out to me and I would be more than happy to give you some more, as well as be a “soundboard” for you to bounce your ideas off.