Your 9-5 Won't Make You Rich: Here's What Will

Growing up as the child of immigrant parents (my mother cleaned hotel rooms while my father worked temp jobs), landing a corporate position felt like reaching the promised land.

I always worked manual labour jobs for minimum wage so a a job where I get to sit down all day at a desk and type into a computer? Sign me up!

Remember landing your first "real job" and feeling like you'd made it? That desk, that steady pay check felt great, right?

But here's something no one tells you: that pay check can become a comfortable prison if it's your only income source.

The Money Trap Most People Fall Into

The average person will earn over 2 million dollars over their lifetime but retire with less than $100K saved. Why? Because we're taught to:

• Trade all our time for one income stream

• Spend on things that don't build wealth (expensive rent, car payments, latest gadgets)

• Build someone else's dreams instead of our own

4 Steps to Break Free (Without Quitting Your Job)

Step 1: Start Small

Replace 30 minutes of social media scrolling after work with learning about the basics when it comes to finances. Check out:

• “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau

• "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel

• “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason

I broke down the timeless money principles from "The Richest Man in Babylon" in a recent issue—it's packed with practical takeaways you can apply today.

These books provide the essential mindset needed for financial success.

Listening to audiobooks offers an easily digestible way to absorb information, but feel free to choose the method that suits you best.

The ultimate aim is to gain new insights that will transform our understanding.

Step 2: Build Your Safety Net (Starting Now)

Save at least 20% of your income each month. This isn't negotiable.

First goal: build an emergency fund covering 6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account.

Once you've hit this target, maintain that 20% savings rate but redirect it to:

• 15% into low-cost index funds like the S&P 500 (average 10% returns historically)

• 5% into self-education (courses, books, skills that increase your earning potential)

This foundation gives you the security to take calculated risks with side hustles.

Step 3: Find a Side Hustle That Fits Your Skills

Leverage your existing expertise for faster profits:

• Social Media Management: Start by offering basic Instagram management for local small businesses ($150-250/month). Target businesses that clearly need help - restaurants with outdated posts, salons with poor engagement, or real estate agents with inconsistent online content.

  Begin with 1-2 clients while you build your portfolio, offering services like weekly content planning, basic photography, and responding to comments.

  As you gain experience and can show real results (increased followers, engagement, or customer conversions), gradually increase your rates and service offerings.

• Excel Skills: Start by creating 1-2 simple but useful financial spreadsheets (basic budget template, debt snowball calculator) and offer them for $5-15 on Etsy or Gumroad. Focus on solving specific problems with clean designs and clear instructions.

  Don't expect immediate sales - most beginners need 15-20 templates and 3-6 months of marketing before seeing consistent income.

  Begin by sharing templates with friends for feedback and testimonials, then gradually expand your offerings as you learn what customers actually need.

• Tutoring Experience: Begin tutoring in subjects you're genuinely strong in, starting with 2-3 students at $15-25/hour (rates vary by location and subject).

  Use local connections, community boards, or entry-level profiles on Wyzant or TutorMe to find your first students.

  Expect to invest time upfront creating lesson plans and resources. As you collect positive reviews and refine your teaching approach, you can gradually increase rates and teaching hours.

• Content Creation: Start a YouTube channel with realistic expectations - monetization typically takes 6-12 months for beginners. Rather than trying to cover broad topics, focus on a specific niche where you have genuine expertise (Excel formulas for beginners, DIY home maintenance for apartments, basic investing concepts).

  Commit to a consistent but manageable schedule (1 video every 1-2 weeks) and focus first on building helpful content rather than subscriber numbers.

  Use free tools for editing until you've established consistent viewership.

Step 4: Build Your Side Income Deliberately

Choose ONE avenue and dedicate a consistent 7 hours weekly (1 hour a day):

For Digital Content Creators:

• Video Content: Launch a YouTube channel in a niche you know—personal finance, career tips, tech reviews, health and beauty or DIY—and post 2–3 helpful videos per week. Monetize through affiliate links, digital products, and ad revenue once you build traction.

• Newsletter: Launch a focused Beehiiv newsletter in a niche you know well—career growth, personal finance, productivity, fitness or tech tools.

  
  Start by offering it for free to grow your audience and build trust.
  Once you’ve hit consistent open rates and engagement, monetize through sponsorships, affiliate links, or eventually a paid tier with bonus content.

  Choose a topic that naturally attracts professionals or enthusiasts who value insights and recommendations they can act on.

• Niche Blog: Create a targeted affiliate site reviewing products in profitable, everyday-use categories like kitchen gadgets, fitness gear, or pet essentials, and monetize through Amazon Associates (4–10% commission).

For Digital Product Creators:

• Simple Templates: Use tools like Notion or Canva to create and sell easy-to-use templates—habit trackers, budget planners, or content calendars—on marketplaces like Gumroad or Etsy ($10–$30 each). Start with templates you already use yourself.

• Printable Downloads: Design beginner-friendly digital products such as planners, checklists, or goal-setting worksheets using Canva. Sell them on Etsy for $5–$20 each—wedding and event planning kits are always in demand.

• Mini Courses or Guides: Package your knowledge into a short, practical course or guide on Skillshare, Gumroad, or Teachable. Focus on simple, in-demand skills like basic Canva design, job interview prep, or personal budgeting. Start with free tools—your phone and screen recorder are enough.

For Service Providers:

• Online Tutoring: Use your skills in math, science, English, or languages to offer tutoring sessions through platforms like Skool, Wyzant, or Preply. These subjects are always in demand, especially for students preparing for exams like the SAT, GRE, or IELTS.

• Language Coaching: If you’re fluent in a second language, offer 1-on-1 or group lessons focused on conversation, grammar, or exam prep. Platforms like Skool or Zoom + Calendly can help you manage scheduling and payments.

• Academic Workshops: Host small group classes or themed bootcamps on Skool around high-demand academic topics—essay writing, study skills, or test strategies—and charge per seat ($25–$100 per student depending on length and depth).

Your Next Step

The system wasn't designed for us to get ahead. But you can build your own system.

This week: Pick ONE side hustle from the list above that matches your skills and interests. Spend 1 hour each day researching how others are monetizing it.

Your financial freedom journey begins now!

P.S.

The most important thing? Just start and be consistent.

Your first attempt won't be perfect. Mine wasn't either and I am still learning as I go along.

But that imperfect start is worth more than perfect plans that never happen.

👉 For more no-fluff tips on building income streams and staying financially sharp, follow me on X @RashidSaves

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