Find Something that Gives You Time and Money
I wanted more free time, but money was still important
I chose my career based on the number of vacations and holidays I receive yearly. It wasn't the most popular reason but it helped me through my work. I became a teacher because I enjoyed mathematics and having many days off.
I don’t work for eight weeks during the summer, two weeks during December, one week in October for fall break, and one week during spring break. I stay home during those days because the students are on vacation. That doesn't include all the state and federal holidays built during the school year.
I don't always enjoy my work as a teacher, but that's the trade-off I chose. I taught for 27 years until I qualified for early retirement benefits. I also can't complain because my teaching job allowed me to buy real estate property, keep it for 22 years, and sell it for a 125% return on investment when I sold it.
I still have about 15 more years to run a real estate business as a real estate agent, write online, and build a side hustle business during my retirement years as a teacher. That's not a bad deal because I started teaching in my 20s and I will leave teaching in my mid-50s, still young.
I always thought of time as the most important factor.
Money is important because without it, you can't pay the bills.
But I waited until my 50s to have the freedom to write online, build multiple businesses, and enjoy my time away from work.
Final Thoughts
I found a way to make money from my job, buy real estate, and build multiple side businesses. Find what works for you because there is no correct way to experience your life and work journey.
I didn't chase money early in my career. I wanted time. Teaching gave me time and money; after I retire from teaching, I’ll have at least 15 years doing something else.
Find what works for you and do it.