When I was in college I had this idea in my head that I’d walk out and be making a six-figure salary within 5 years. That might have been true at the time I declared my major, but it was dead wrong by the time I graduated. But I’ve managed and thrived despite the lack of my previously “ideal” income and the slower than expected gains.
I make decent money now, at least enough not to worry about paying the mortgage or filling up my gas tank each week. I could probably find another job doing what I do that pays more, but I’m not really looking. Why? Because my needs are being met and I’m getting paid in other ways: time and independence.
I work from home. This brings a huge level of freedom to my workday, even though I have bosses and projects coming from above like every other full-time employee. I can work in my pajamas or blast music while I work and it’s okay as long as I’m showing results. That same set of values, that rewards trust by prioritizing work produced over time logged in a cubicle, also keeps me rich in time. As someone who’s about to start a family this is becoming far more important, and as someone who’s trying to stay in shape it’s nice to go swim or lift weights during my lunch hour.
Now that I’m rich in time outside of work, and my job is more of a complement to how I want to live my life, I’m also finding that I value that non-work time a lot more and will fight harder to keep it. The funny thing is, by setting a higher price on my free time (and informing people of that price) I’ve actually been getting more offers to do business on that off time. I’m also having an easier time of rejecting those who waste my time, a nice side effect.
And what of long term plans? Saving for retirement, 401Ks and all that? Well I’m putting some money away too, especially with kids coming, but I’m not really sure I’m going to retire at 65 like most people plan to. I’ve been working since I was 14 and I’ve gone nuts during any period of unemployment longer than a week or two. I’ll probably take breaks from working throughout my life, but I’m not going to lump it all at the end. And I’m sure as hell not depending on Social Security or Medicare being around in 40 years.
An easy counter-criticism here would be “Yeah but you still make enough money to pay the bills, I’m not that well off. Your thoughts suck!” And I’ll agree that money is basically everything when you have none of it. I don’t mean to demean a situation like that at all. But if you are doing reasonably well but have a constant desire to chase money, ask yourself “Why?” Will it really buy you the lifestyle you want? Are there other ways to achieve that lifestyle that don’t necessarily involve working yourself to near death? There probably are.
I don’t know why I’m writing all this. Maybe it will help some kid who chooses a major because they think it’s a money train. Maybe someone who’s being beaten up by today’s economy can take solace in the fact that money isn’t everything, and there are other currencies to consider. If this made you think, or laugh, or whatever, leave a comment and let me know.
