In recent times, employment was something to be counted on. After college graduation, you could expect to get hired by a company, move up in the ranks, get benefits, and 30 or 40 years later retire comfortably.
Like my Dad, who graduated from college in 1960, had a long career in both the Air Force and the aerospace industry, getting his masters and doctorate along the way, and retiring in 1999. He is now living the dream of fishing, travel, and skiing when and where he wants to.
But times have changed. Graduates can no longer expect to work for one company and one company only.
And in this last month, record unemployment has rocked the country. Those who are self-employed and work at home already have an advantage already.
So what are some other reasons employment has changed?
Why?
• Loyalty between employer and employee is virtually nonexistent.
• The lingering attitude of cutting back from the last recession.
• The healthcare law means insurance is more expensive.
• Uncertainty and instability in the marketplace has led to high unemployment, especially with the Coronavirus.
For our family, these changes have meant a radical departure from plans we had made at the beginning of our marriage. We took it for granted that my husband would always work for someone else. He didn’t seem like the entrepreneur type. While it was always my goal, it didn’t enter our minds that he would do the same.
Then the economy collapsed in 2008. No pay raise, delayed paychecks, and very little opportunity for growth led us to the conclusion that he needed to be self-employed full time.
We are actually quite excited about it. Because while the career job may have gone by the wayside, we recognize that true prosperity can’t be built on one. We like to call it the “Just Over Broke.” We are excited for the possibilities ahead as he builds his business. And we are excited to prepare our son to have the option of self-employment when he is ready to launch out on his own.
This strategy has proved vital for our family in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis. We had already been working at home. My business is mostly online. And even our local programs could be transferred to online. Travis works mostly from home and as an essential business in construction, he is still able to operate.
The old way of having a life-time job has all but disappeared. But this brings new opportunities. Yes, even the Coronavirus crisis brings new opportunities.
It means that we as families can go back to an even OLDER way of making a living, that of having cottage industries. It means that we can build family economies with several streams of income. It means that we can prepare our son for this eventuality so he is equipped to raise his family, truly living in freedom from debt and most importantly, has the freedom to raise his family the best way he can.
And it means that it’s more important than ever to get your message out there because people need your perspective!
Are you ready to take the next step into self-employment? Tune in for an announcement soon about a new free challenge coming up after Easter!
