It is 1 A.M. Saturday morning; I’m finishing some work on a project that was due by close of business Friday. The radio is muttering to itself in the background, an adaptation of Yeonmi Park’s In order to live, a story of her escape from North Korea to freedom. As I tap away on the keyboard, the phrase “hard work is always rewarded in a democracy” impinges on my thoughts.
My day job is data analysis, project management and digital marketing. I have done this for blue chip multinationals, NGOs and on a consultancy basis for SME’s.
I’ve worked over 90 hours this week for my multinational corporation.
Times are tough and the future is uncertain. I’ve a job but it’s not going to make me rich. I’m not paid overtime, I’m not getting any benefit for this additional work, other than being allowed to keep this job. I don’t think my hard work is being rewarded.
I need to be doing something for myself!
But not being paid for the work I do isn’t my only worry. I’m lucky, I have a job. Many of us don’t, but we are all looking at the future. Like me, more and more people are becoming concerned about what happens to us financially when we retire. I’ve a good 20 years to go before I leave the office. I can see problems ahead.
The current situation is that you are expected to work for 45 years, pay tax, and then survive on what you have left. That maybe some savings, possibly a private pension and whatever public support your particular Government decides it gifts you. The problem is that people are living longer and life is becoming more expensive. Money to save is becoming harder to find, governments are cutting back on what they give pensioners and private pensions are also giving less as they assume you will need them for longer.
For example, a £100k fund would have given you a guaranteed annual income of just under 10k in 2001. Now it is down to under 6k. Not good, especially if inflation rises from current levels. An increasing number of people are realising that they will have to work for longer to generate the income they need.
In reality, people are being laid off in their 40’s and 50’s and can’t find a new job. Some are finding that accidents or ill health limit what they can do to earn a living wage. Others are finding that their pension is no longer sufficient. Meanwhile they still have medical bills and mortgages to pay. Rents are rising, insurance increasing and grocery bills growing. Perhaps there are children or grandchildren to support through school, college or unemployment. All this is a drain on income, savings and future pensions.
I’m currently working for one of the biggest insurance companies in the world. My team is working to make processes in the business as efficient as possible by introducing automation, streamlining work practices and maximising assets. Here’s a thought, if a multi-billion dollar company is doing this, why shouldn’t you?
This site is about finding an additional income. It’s about making the future better for the family. It’s about using best practices to make your gigs as profitable as possible. There is no such thing as passive income, but there is painless income. Let’s maximise that!
I’m documenting my efforts in building a painless income. I’m figuring out how to work smart, how to maximise income and minimise effort. I’m using all my skills of process and data analysis to devise methods of making the most of a few spare dollars. I’m using a few hours a week now to help me be content in a few years’ time.
Please follow my adventure and share your thoughts with me. Together we can beat the income crunch we are all facing.