Many people anxiously await the day when they can earn a “real” paycheck. One that comes from a big company, every two weeks. They love the idea of stability, and dream of one day making it to six figures a year. That does sound wonderful, but what about when the six figures don’t come? What if you get bored, and before you know it, feel like your life is just passing you by? This is what I noticed since a young age. I never had the desire to work for a salary. I always craved more; flexibility and real growth potential.

(This post may contain affiliate links)

“I love knowing that I make more money whenI work harder”. That is something I’ve been saying for the past 5 years or so. It started when I got my first bartending job. It was in a big casino night club in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. I was so proud of myself. I went to bartending school (thanks to a loan from my Grandma), worked hard for the first week, and earned the money to pay her back. I went straight to her house with cash in hand, but she wouldn’t take it. It was a gift, and one that I still cherish.

Before that bartending job, I had worked odd jobs at restaurants making low hourly wages. I would put in many hours, just so I could see my paycheck increase. It wasn’t until my first week of bartending, that I realized something; I made more money on a good night at the club than I ever would in a week at those restaurants. If I worked hard, I made good money. That is when I stopped working for hourly wages, and started working for tips.

Between bartending and serving tables, I started making enough money to pay for my rent, and really contribute to our household income (I had my son at a young age, so I really relied on those jobs to raise him properly). Soon after realizing the potential in hard work, I decided that I hated the idea of salary.

Probably the biggest issue for me with salary, has to be the fact that no matter how hard you work, or how many hours you put in, your paycheck doesn’t change. Even with a promotion, it only goes up a bit, and you have to wait sometimes years before that number will go up again.

I’m not going to sit here and be a hypocrite, however. At the time that I’m writing this post, I have a full time job. My situation is a little different though, being as I can’t just quit my job. I did the next thing that I fear most, which is signing a contract. That’s right, I’m in the military, and have been since 2006 (it’s 2018 right now).

So why did I stay in, you might be asking? Well, I’m stupid, that’s why. Now I’m not saying the military is bad, because it’s not. The benefits are wonderful (for you and your family), and you have the ability to go to college for free (if that’s your type of thing), or learn a new language, which is exactly what I did.

The reason I stayed in was so I could learn a second language, something I’ve always wanted to do. I figured that if the military was willing to pay to put me through 18 months of language training, I was going to take advantage of it! However now that my training is done, I’m really looking forward to the end of my contract. I just can’t stand knowing that if I stayed home full time, I would be making so much more money.

Yes, between bartending, serving, and all of the other odd jobs I do on the side, I made more than I do in the military (not including benefits, but my husband could get benefits through his work too). I could be making more money, and building my empire, doing what I love. I like language, I really do. I don’t love the job though.

Another negative (for me) about having a salary, is having a boss. I don’t like having to report to somebody, or dress to a certain standard, just to fit in with the company. Every day when I wear that uniform, I think to myself, “if only I wasn’t in the military, I would get my nose pierced, dye my hair pink and get an edgy haircut, and maybe even a tattoo! (Just kidding about the tattoo thing, I love them on other people, but they aren’t for me).

You know what else sucks about salary jobs? You usually don’t have the freedom to just up and leave as you please. It’s always the same thing day in and day out. Robot style.

To top it all off, it’s almost as if your self worth is determined based off of your salary. I’m sorry, but I am worth more than any salary could ever offer me!

If you’re at all like me, and get anxiety at the thought of living the rest of your life on a salary, working a 9-5 job for years and years, then maybe it’s time for a change. Maybe you need to start thinking of a plan, and making it happen! I’m not saying you should quit your job and see where the road takes you. No, I’m a little more realistic than that. What I’m saying is, that you should come up with a plan. Figure out what it is that you truly want out of life, and start working to make that happen. Once you get to a point where doing that thing is making you more money than your lame-o salary job, drop that bad boy and chase your dreams!