I am about to start a new gig. But instead of calling it the end of my second early retirement I will call it an early retirement side hustle. It does fit in nicely with my retire early and often lifestyle. But it is at this time only funded for two and a half months (to end of year). It really isn’t long enough to call my early retirement number two as over. The contract’s fine print does say that it can be extended. If an extension is offered and I accept it then I will have to rethink how I look at this.
Is It Really a Side Hustle?
Some may disagree with my use of the term “side hustle” when this is not a secondary pursuit to a full-time career or work. I do seem to be carefree with how I challenge the definition of things. I just feel that at this time my full-time career is being an early retired leisure freak. This is just a little side hustle bringing in some extra cash.
On the surface this came about effortlessly and quickly especially if I were to lay out the series of events and timelines from the first conversation the end of September to my starting this project in a couple of days. But when looking at only the surface you don’t see what really has to have happened to get a gig like this.
I am just acting a part
I like to compare my life living my “retire early and often” lifestyle to being a working Hollywood movie actor. Not as a mega-star. But a really decent character actor. I audition, play a role that I am interested in doing and when it’s over I move on. When I am ready for another project I audition and start again. In between gigs I keep in touch with my network of connections and my agent. Who in my case is actually the consulting company I have worked for.
Like an actor I never forget that I am only as good or as popular as my last gig. Or at least the gigs that I am remembered for. I don’t claim to knock every ball out of the park and there were some stinker projects. Never because I half-assed things. But they were far too ambitious for the budget, resources and time-frame. Just like some bad movies are. I just work hard to make sure I hit a home run with the next project or projects so that any stinker along the way isn’t what is remembered.
The other thing that ensures being considered for roles is being easy to work with. You can’t be a pain in the ass to the people on the set or the director. In other words the people on your team, your project-manager, manager, etc. You can be the most competent person at your craft but if people don’t like working with you then you won’t get the call.
Lets Recap How This All Works
So below the surface it takes working at being remembered with networking. Being someone people like to work with, and by building a good past performance portfolio. That is how this happened for me. I think this can apply to anyone considering living a “retire early and often” lifestyle or people pursuing their side hustles.
One last note. Like being an actor your popularity will not last forever. You have to ride the wave while it is there. You can take time away but probably not too long. I know that these opportunities are finite. But I just want to be choosy about which ones I will accept. If it looks like a bad script and I can’t be passionate about it, then I don’t want to be involved with it. Regardless of the risk of maybe missing my last wave.
So what is the gig?
I have accepted a Systems Analyst opportunity. I will share more details and plans on a new post after I have started and get a better feel for it. I still have some thoughts to iron out about how I want to put this extra income to work for me. It’s coming in at over $9K a month so this is real saving and investment opportunity. Wish me luck.
Do you think it’s alright for me to call this an early retirement side hustle?
I didn’t intend to offend any real actors out there. My use of actors as a comparison is only based on my simplistic perception of the working Hollywood actor life. Minus the multiple rejections. Does anyone have comments on my liberal and stretched use of the actor comparison?
You should be able to call this new job whatever you want to call it but if you want to split hairs I would question whether your retirement number 2 counts as a retirement in the first place. I see you as someone who was working full time and took a break and is lucky enough to get another job when they want to. You want to call that retiring early and often then that’s fine too. Its your life. I plan on retiring and then just free-lance for extra cash. One retirement doing what I want to do.
Hey Franklin, thanks for the comment. I do consider myself in a 2nd retirement because I dedicated 4 years to what was a second career. It did open the door for this side hustle but I see this as temporary at this point. It sounds like you do have a plan to retire to.
I wasn’t quite ready to retire yet and was laid off at the age of 58. I have tried to find another job and nobody will hire me. You are lucky to find work when you want it. I like the idea of downsizing and retiring, I just haven’t had the guts to do it.
Thanks for the comment Jeff H. Sorry to hear about losing your job and your trouble finding a new one. I know that you can do everything you need to do and should do and still can’t land a position you want. There are a lot of factors. Where you live (lack of opportunities), your profession, skill sets, and what you are targeting. Maybe you are seeing some age bias too. If you do decide to downsize and retire I know you will enjoy life much more knowing your finances are covered and maybe then you could continue looking for work you would enjoy doing if you want to earn some extra money. Good luck.
Tommy
Cheryl and I would definitely like the ability to be able to ease in and out of the work force in that way. I think there is a certain amount of luck involved, but also the courage to “set yourself adrift” and see what shows up.
May be looking for some Project Management, Systems or Business Analyst gigs ourselves next year.
Enjoy your freedom.
Paul
Thanks for the comment Paul. I am only 2 days into this new gig but so far looks to be a fun and rewarding opportunity. There is an element of luck because timing is everything in life. There are many factors including being near where targeted positions are being created. I also think that patience and being always open so that you can recognize and seize the opportunity also comes into play. Good luck on your finding the gigs you want next year.
Tommy
Congrats on the newest side hustle Tommy! That’s the beauty of early retirement, to be able to accept interesting work whenever it suits you. Looking forward to hearing more about it 🙂
Thanks Kassandra. I have really enjoyed it so far and it uses an area of my expertise that I haven’t used in over 5 years. Its all coming back to me and I think I will have a lot of fun with this. This is exactly what financial independence and retiring early and often is all about.
Tommy
Sounds great, Tommy! Being able to work at something for short periods of time like that is really neat. As you say, staying well connected can help to find these opportunities when they arise. I can see myself doing that too, once I definitely no longer need my paycheque.
Thanks for the comment Deb. I do think that staying connected is the key. As most of the other comments to this post stated there is luck needed in doing this, I admit that maybe that is part of it but I have to think that by doing certain things you make your own luck or at least invite it.
Tommy