Lifestyle Keeping You Broke?

I work two part-time jobs ---- and love the lifestyle. (No boss. No deadlines. Independence. Happiness. Flexibility.) I don't make much money which equates to being broke after bills are paid. My bills are at a bare minimum and even cut cable. Only stress is that I have no cushion if something breaks down like my car.

It seems like its hard to find a decent paying job without an arrogant boss, office politics, crappy hours, health risks, and misery.

It seems I would only trade misery and poor health for 50k a year and no less. Might as well work for 18k per year to be happy.

Anyone wrestle with this dilemma?

Why not get really good at something and have it pay dividends instead of being comfortable and letting the world fly past your head?

I did get very good at something -- its called customer service. I have been doing it for 20 years in some form or another. I shine at both jobs.....problem is its not paying me dividends. I tried something hiring paying like computer programming and hated it. So boring.... I thought customer service led to something higher paying jobs like---sales. Didn't make much money from it either.

I got CDL but some guys in here don't make from it either.

I have two jobs as well and i make about 30k, both are very easy and at my primary job i work independently. They are dull though and i may be gaining some customer service experience but that isnt all that valuable, especially since i want out of retail. So i am thinking of using trucking to get me out of this rut, then going onto something else, like aviation mechanic.

Yeah if you arent willing to do like half of what you need to do at a job then you cant expect to get very good jobs. Everything is a tradeoff, you traded financial freedom and security for short term pleasure. I dont see how you can complain when you got what you wanted.

I did get very good at something -- its called customer service. I have been doing it for 20 years in some form or another. I shine at both jobs.....problem is its not paying me dividends. I tried something hiring paying like computer programming and hated it. So boring.... I thought customer service led to something higher paying jobs like---sales. Didn't make much money from it either.

I got CDL but some guys in here don't make from it either.

Here's an idea:

I have one job - and one client that I do IT for (medium sized law office). I make $80K plus - but I'm burnt to a crisp and miserable, after 35 years in computers. And that's NOT having to punch a clock - most of my work is phone/remote support, and maybe a few hours a week onsite.

Peers and vendors shake their heads when I tell them I'm considering taking a more than 50% pay cut, to use this CDL I got 6 years ago.

$$ does not buy happiness (but it sure makes misery that much more comfortable).

Still "on the fence", but considering it more this time around, then the last 2 times I tried to talk myself into hanging up my mouse and keyboard and going for it.

Still have a lot more downsizing to go, and a lot more junk to part with.

OTOH - going out OTR , means "burning my bridges" in IT (or at least working for myself), and I'm NOT CUT OUT for punching a clock and wearing a tie for someone else (and a lot less $$ than working for myself).

Decisions - Decisions - Decisions...

Rick

I could possibly relate at one point in my life, when I was single and could afford to just think about my own wants and 'needs'. I don't have the luxury of a 'lifestyle' anymore. I have the responsibility of taking care of my family, because if I don't do it, nobody else will. I'm just glad I got my CDL and have a trucking job that pays well and gets me home everyday.

I've always taken the old school approach that you get out of life what you put into it. If you want to build a great life for yourself it's like pushing a boulder up a hill.....it takes a lot of hard work over a long period of time and one slip-up might easily land you at the bottom again.

I see it all the time....people are always looking for that "easy money". Not that they're necessarily lazy; it's just common sense. You want to make a ton of money doing something enjoyable and easy. But that's rare. You might make a ton of money doing something that's enjoyable or easy, but not both.

For me it's always been about finding something I'd love to do and pursuing it as long as its enjoyable. Some things only last a few weeks or months, others will last my entire life. If you find something you love doing you might be willing to put in the work it takes to become great at it, and that's where the money comes in, assuming you're doing something that's in demand. But generally speaking, if you're really great at something there will be a demand for it. There are people making millions playing video games, golfing, and testing experimental aircraft. It doesn't matter what you do......if you're "the guy" to go to, people will show up with their money.

In the end, if you ever want to make great money and enjoy yourself, the only way I know of is to put in years and years of hard work to become great at something you love doing. Once you reach a certain level the demand will grow and the money will grow along with it.

All great points!

I need to look into Swanson trucking. Is the pay good? Are they always hiring? I will have to check into that. I read some guy making $3,000 per day dumpster diving AND he works in IT as an engineer. He makes close to 600k a year. The money draws you in due to the flexibility but its nasty. Oh well.

I also agree with Rick. The misery of doing something you hate for $$$$. But the trade off is the comfort. OK. Then what? Life is short. We all die. Do we work for money to enjoy comfort up until we die? Making money is painful when you hate your job. Then when you retire you are too old to enjoy your comfort and riches. Doesn't make sense to me.

Brett mentioned to get good at something you enjoy, in demand and get good at it. Customer service is the only ting I enjoy and am good at. But its not in demand and I want to get paid for what I am worth. I graduated with a 3.5 GPA in college. I am not lazy. I have some intelligence. I like to be challenged. But I cannot stand bosses, team playing, office politics, and just being miserable. Freedom is the best thing known to man. But I need to live a good life. Golden handcuffs seems to be the only way to make money in this world---unless you are a "rare type" and are obsessed with engineering or accounting and make 100k a year. Lucky them! I've always admired people in boring industries who have a passion for it. I am disinterested in math and science which seems to be always in demand and a money maker. Technology is OK. I thought of working in tech support and earn $20 per hour, but it doesn't seem sustainable since so many leave the field.

I will find a way to build a business. I also thought of tow truck driving. Big money there. No boss. You are on your own.

I was also in the same boat. When I started working at 16 my options were extremely limited. Working in retail and fast food got old really quick. My passion was always in driving. I love it. When I had bad days a long drive would always make me feel a lot better. I knew that one day I would drive for a living. Fast forward to the age of 21. I saw that city transit had openings and would help get your class b cdl and I jumped on it. I make roughly 35k a year. I love the challenges I get presented from time to time. when I'm out on the road that is my bus. I'm the captain. I don't have to deal with a boss breathing down my neck although I do have to deal with some crabby people from time to time. One day I will drive a TT but till then city transit is good for me