On Employment, Income Streams and Financial Security

16 comments

Updated: May 12, 2021

Yesterday, I was greeted by a text message from a friend saying that he was terminated from work.

It came to me as a shock because he has been working in that office for almost 6 years now. And I believe that he has done a remarkable job there.

He was no ordinary rank and file employee. In fact, he was one of the managers who greatly contributed to the success of the company.

I also find it quite ironic because he received the sad news a day before Labor Day here in the Philippines. A day when the country pays tribute to the men and women who drive this nation’s economy.

Well apparently, due to the cost-cutting measures which the Board of Directors decided to implement, my friend and the rest of his department, will now be joining the millions of unemployed Filipinos.

All this had me thinking.

Job Security

How financially secure is it really to have a job?

Yes, being an employee, you are sure to receive regular salaries. You get to enjoy paid vacations and reap social and medical benefits.

Most people prefer living this lifestyle and think that as long as they do good at work and manage to live within their means, then they’ll be assured of a stable financial future.

How many of you feel this way? Personally, I have given up on that dream of climbing the peak of the corporate ladder so many years ago.

I have come to realize that if I really want financial freedom and security, then dedicating myself to a life of employment will not take me there.

Don’t Resign

No, I’m not saying that you should resign from work because it’s not financially stable.

My point is that you should never think that having a job is more secure than being self-employed or being an entrepreneur. In this world of uncertainty, you’ll never know if you’ll still have your job tomorrow or next week.

Likewise, you can never be assured that your business will continue to grow and stay strong forever. You can only hope but not expect that your investments will increase in value in the future.

With all the possible scenarios, market fluctuations, and other factors that we don’t have control over, how then can we achieve genuine financial security?

multiple-streams

I believe that financial security can only come if you have multiple streams of income.

This means that aside from your salary earnings, you should likewise create other cashflow streams such as portfolio and passive income.

By doing so, you will not only have financial security. But more importantly, you’re setting yourself into generating good wealth and becoming rich someday.

As for my friend, I know he’ll be alright because he has several streams of income.

He’s on a job hunt right now. And until he finds a new one that will maximize his skills and give him the same fulfillment as he received from his previous work.

He can rely on his freelance projects and other investments to sustain his financial responsibilities.

But, can you say the same for yourself?

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16 comments

  1. That’s why I like the theme of your blog. I was conditioned by my father that employment is not a stable source of income. He always encouraged me to go into business. But it took me many years before I took the risk. I was 45 years old then. It was never too late to start. Good thing I went into business because there was a year my husband was out of stable income. Multiple sources of income is the key to financial security.

  2. My father was the opposite. He used to discourage me about going to business, saying that being an employee is more financially stable. I’m glad that I was able to make him understand that financial security is not about having a job or a business, but rather having multiple streams of income that can support you. Thanks for sharing Noemi.

  3. This is an interesting post. My belief is to have a job first, then overlap it with a business, then quitting the job when the business shows steady progress.

    My mother always told me never to give up my day job for a new business. At least not quit until the business shows great potential.

    My two cents.

  4. Hello again!

    Are you a fan of Bo Sanchez? He is a Catholic lay preacher who is also into these things – financial literacy, investments, etc. He has books on this topic.

    Thanks for the great article. This is also my dream. I’m yet to figure how. I will be reading more of your blog when I have time.

    Ingats.

  5. @kimsan
    Yes, it’s always best to start with an active income and then build income streams from other sources. Thanks for sharing.

    @goingstraight
    I’m not really a big fan but I do find Bo Sanchez books inspirational. I do read his blog though. Anyway, thanks for dropping by and hope to see more of you here.

  8. Hi Fritz,
    I agree with your post. Before, I was under the impression that having a regular job is more stable compared to having a business. I guess the high percentage of failed new business contributed to this notion.

    As time goes by, I realized the importance of passive income. I just want to stress that one doesn’t have to create new business venture.. Right now, I’m investing in mature companies that’s giving out cash dividends (eg PLDT, Globe). I believe this is one option that your readers could assess while discovering for their entrepreneurial spirit.

    Drew

  13. My Grandparents were products of WW1 the USA “Great Depression” and WW2, They always taught having a job with a pension was the way to go, they also lived by example that you need to save “for a rainy day.” I learned to live frugal from a young age but used my times of employment to earn the capital needed to start my own businesses, save, invest and be financially free. I NEVER wanted to be dependent on a “nanny state” government or employer who go go “belly up.” I am, today, extremely thankful for what I learned in my early youth.

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