How to Quit Your Job
What are my qualifications for this article? Let's just say
that I am a job-quitting expert, and my expertise has been gained
through experience. I have quit many jobs in many industries.
Most recently, I quit my job at the Post Office, and now it has
been many years since I've had a job. Of course, the real question
is "How do you quit your job and still pay the bills?"
Here are some ideas, again based on experience.
Stop Thinking Like an Employee
People are afraid of their employers. They feel dependent
on them. They even feel bitter or "trapped." Why think
that way? Even if you stay at your present job twenty more years
(there may be good reasons to), why not consider yourself a business
owner, in the business of selling your labor? If you don't like
the terms or price, you can negotiate a better deal or go elsewhere.
I once told a customer (employer) I would only work one day,
down from five, because I had other plans for my time. They liked
the service I sold, and so agreed. If they didn't, there were
other jobs. There are always other opportunities. If you
decide to stay at a job a while? Accept that it is a business
decision. There is no reason to feel bitter or "trapped."
Thinking of yourself as in business, selling your labor, skills
and knowledge, opens your mind to the possibilities of better
jobs and even business or investing activities. These are nice
advantages of taking this perspective, but not the best reason
to. The best reason is that you will feel free, and never feel
dependent upon another.
Reduce and Control Your Expenses
It is easier to quit your job if your expenses are lower.
It isn't necessarily a problem of spending, but of having your
fixed expenses too high. You see, if you can support your basic
lifestyle on virtually any job out there, you can live it up
when you have a good job. Just don't get into debt, or add too
many financial obligations to your life. Then, when you quit
that job, you are not in trouble. You just quickly cut out the
excess.
Look at every area of your life and find a way to reduce the
costs, and still maintain a comfortable lifestyle. If you are
single, consider splitting the rent on an apartment instead of
living alone. Buy whatever foods are on sale (but still only
ones that you like) and you'll save on food. Turn down the thermostat
when you are out. Group and route your errands to save miles
in the car. Above all, avoid consumer debt.
Have Money in the Bank
Always have six months living expenses in the bank. This is
one of the most important lessons in how to quit your job. Don't
think it can't be done. There are people living on less income
than you. Live like they do, save the excess, and you'll always
have a financial "cushion" that allows you to quit
a job when you want without having to turn to payday loans. Then,
when you have income again, you should replenish this fund before
you do anything else.
I have rarely worked full-time jobs in my life. I took unpaid
vacations for as long as five weeks at a time, and I quit working
altogether for months at a time. This was possible because I
always had low expenses, and money in the bank. That's freedom.
Find Other Sources of Income
In my case, I rented rooms in my home for $80 per week. Two
or more at a time. You can do the math. I paid off the mortgage
after six or seven years, and then lived for free for many years.
I loaned money to friends who bought and sold cars, splitting
the profits with them. I made and sold three hundred walking
sticks one summer.
Look for any possibilities for income. If you have a country
home, you could collect a few hundred dollars each for boats
or RVs to be seasonally stored on your land. If you have a hobby
you enjoy, find a way to make it pay. Take a part time job just
because it is interesting, and then set aside every penny from
it as your how-to-quit-your-job fund.
In the end, I decided that I've had enough jobs. (Oh, maybe
one or two more, if they are interesting.) I started this little
internet business with a few hundred dollars, and now it pays
more than any job I've had. My wife likes having me at home every
day, and I like making money telling others how to do this.
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