how to live without a job

You can live without a job by finding an alternative way to earn money, reducing your expenses, making lifestyle changes, and more. There are a lot of ways to start earning income without a traditional 9 to 5 job. In fact, there are 16.5 million self-employed people in the country!1 

If you want further information on how to live without a job, keep reading!

Pros and Cons of Living Without a Job

Before officially quitting your traditional full-time job, consider the pros and cons of living without one. Below are more details about the advantages and disadvantages of not having a conventional nine-to-five job. 

Pros of Living Without a Job

When you work for yourself, the possibilities are truly endless. Here are some of the awesome perks you can enjoy from working a non-traditional day job or being self-employed. 

Work Freedom

When you break free from the traditional workforce and start to work for yourself, every element of your employment situation is up to you. No longer do you have to deal with unpleasant coworkers. With self-employment, you can assemble your own team of coworkers or choose to work alone, whichever you prefer. 

Flexibility 

Keeping a non-traditional job also gives you the ultimate flexibility. You can choose everything from where, when, and with whom you work. Adjust aspects of your day to match your individual wants and needs. Don’t want to deal with a commute? No problem! Work from home or wherever you like. Want to start your workday at 11:00 AM instead of 9:00 AM? When you are self-employed with a non-traditional career, you can! 

Potential To Earn Unlimited Income 

You have the potential to earn not only a steady stream of income but an exponential amount of money when you design your own job. You decide how much you produce, whether that be through working hours or physical merchandise. The average national salary of a self-employed person in the U.S. is $84,305 a year!2

Furthermore, you can personally decide how to spend your work budget. Instead of any profits you earn going straight to a corporation, self-employed individuals pocket most if not all of their extra dollars. That way, you have the financial freedom to work towards your own goals, such as being able to retire early. Or, choose to put your profits back into your work and potentially increase your earnings further! 

Be Your Own Boss

Live life the way you want when you are self-employed because you are the one in charge. Implement your own business practices and workload and handle any client interactions that you see fit. 

Make Your Own Schedule 

Lastly, when you work for yourself, you create your own schedule. If you want, ditch the traditional nine-to-five, Monday through Friday schedule! Work the hours and days of the week that best suit you and your needs.

Cons of Living Without a Traditional Full-Time Job 

There are most certainly plenty of advantages to working a non-traditional job. However, there are a few downsides as well. Below are some of the disadvantages you may come across in working a self-employed or non-traditional job. 

Potential Instability 

While working for yourself has the potential to bring about a steady income, there is also the possibility of economic instability. For example, you may risk being unable to afford living expenses. If your work ever becomes unpopular and out of demand, you run the risk of having little to no business.

No Corporate Benefits or Insurance 

One major potential disadvantage to not having a traditional day job is the lack of corporate benefits. Employees have access to health benefits and insurance, paid days off, and even company-funded prizes like paid destination vacations for many traditional careers. 

When you work for yourself, you have access only to what you can afford. That means insurance costs and other living expenses will have to come directly from your profits. Moreover, if you want to take any time off work, you must make sure there is room for that in scheduled earnings. 

Tips for How To Live Without a Job and Have Enough Money 

Living without a job may be a bit of an adjustment if you’ve been in the traditional workforce your whole life. Learn how to get by without a job with these helpful tips.

Change Your Mindset About Money 

If you really want to learn how to live without a job, you may have to adjust to getting by on little money. This adjustment may require a shit in your mindset and cause you to really think about what is happiness and success. Some people spend lots of money on a fancy car and consider that a sign of their success. Are you one of those people? Or, can you be content and satisfied living a low-cost lifestyle with little cash flow?

Establish a Budget 

Before you search for ways on how to live without a job, take a look at your personal finance situation and make sure you have enough money to cover your living costs. The amount of money you need to live without a job depends on your lifestyle. 

Learning how to budget money on a low income will help you make the most of your money. These are some common budget plans you can start using to improve your finances:

Budget PlanDescriptionBest For Individuals Who…
50/30/20 BudgetAllocate 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment.Want a simple, straightforward budgeting framework.
Envelope SystemCash is divided into envelopes for different spending categories; once an envelope is empty, no more spending in that category for the month.Prefer to use cash and need a tangible way to control spending.
Zero-Based BudgetEvery dollar of income is assigned a specific purpose, so income minus expenses equals zero.Want to account for every dollar and ensure money is working towards specific goals.
The 60% Solution60% of income goes to committed expenses, and the remaining 40% is split among retirement, long-term savings, short-term savings, and fun money.Seek a balance between fixed expenses and savings while still allowing for some discretionary spending.
Pay Yourself FirstPrioritize savings and investments by setting aside a specific amount before allocating money to other expenses.Are focused on building savings or investment accounts quickly.
Automated BudgetingAutomate transfers to savings, investments, and bill payments as soon as income is received.Want to ensure savings and bills are taken care of without having to think about it each month.
Value-Based BudgetingSpending is aligned with personal values, prioritizing expenses that bring joy and fulfillment.Want to ensure their spending reflects their personal values and long-term goals.
The Cash-Only DietUse only cash for all purchases to avoid overspending and debt accumulation.Have trouble with overspending on credit or debit cards and want to curb their habits.
The Anti-BudgetInstead of detailed categories, simply save a predetermined amount and spend the rest freely.Dislike detailed tracking and prefer a more hands-off approach to budgeting.
The 70/20/10 RuleAllocate 70% of income to expenses, 20% to savings, and 10% to donations or debt repayment.Want to include charitable giving in their regular budget or have a focus on paying down debt.

Save for the Future 

Setting aside some money for the future may also be good before you officially leave your job. Saving money for the future allows you some financial breathing room. So, if you need more money for some months, you have some set aside. You can also save by making simple changes in your life. 

Avoid Accumulating Debt

To maintain your financial independence, try not to accumulate any more debt than you have to. For example, avoid getting cash through unreliable methods like cash advance loans or payday loans, as they can just sink you further into debt. Making smart financial decisions and avoiding unnecessary debt will help make sure you have as much money as possible so you can comfortably live without a job. 

Make Lifestyle Changes

You may be able to save cash by making simple lifestyle changes. Sometimes simply cutting back on excessive online shopping can be enough to put some extra cash into your bank account. 

Some minor lifestyle changes you can make to save money are: 

  • Cook your own food at home, so you don’t have to spend money on take out
  • Grow your own vegetables and fruits to save money at the grocery store
  • Make an effort to turn off lights and unplug unused appliances throughout your entire house 
  • Regularly reference your budget to stop overspending and save more money
  • Save on maintenance costs by doing your own car repairs 

Alternatives to a Regular Job 

While you don’t need a regular job to survive, making money in some way is essential. Perhaps you may consider looking for the best paying part-time jobs that pay well so you can afford to live without a full-time job. Below are some possible alternative income streams that might work well for people looking to live without a job. 

Earn Extra Cash Where You Can

Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to forgo working altogether and earn extra money in different ways. For example, you can earn a few dollars on some survey sites just by taking online surveys. You can also sell unwanted items and make money online. There are even websites that allow you to make money watching videos! 

Work Freelance 

Making money with freelance work is a popular income stream for many people. You can earn money by working freelance by doing things like: 

  • Starting your own business or side hustle 
  • Graphic design
  • Coding 
  • Copywriting 
  • Resume editing 
  • Translations 
  • Transcriptions

Get Passive Earnings

One way to earn money without a job is to acquire residual income sources. Passive income takes a hands-off approach to earning money. It allows people to generate earnings while doing little to no work. Keep in mind that most passive earning strategies may require a chunk of money or labor upfront. But when implemented correctly, your efforts should result in a passive income stream that almost feels like free money. 

Some examples of strategies you may consider when you want to live without a job are: 

  • Investing in the stock market
  • Real estate 
  • Owning a business run by competent employees
  • Creating influencer videos on YouTube or other social media platforms

There is no doubt that passive income is a great way to earn extra money. If you do decide to go with earning via passive means, make sure you check in on your revenue source from time to time to ensure everything is functioning properly. You wouldn’t want to check in on things to find that an overlooked mistake has caused you to lose out on your yearly or monthly income. 

Ecommerce Store

If you have a knack for making art, clothing, or other sellable items, you could start an ecommerce store. Websites like Etsy, eBay, and even Amazon allow people to sell items and have their own shops online. While you do have to pay these websites a fee, all other earnings will go directly to you. You can even make your merchandise ahead of time, so you don’t have to coordinate your schedule with producing items as orders come in. 

Petsit or Housesit 

When people go out of town, they often do not want to leave their house unattended or take their pets to a kennel. If you want to generate income but don’t want to work with people necessarily, you may consider house or pet sitting. Or, if you are only looking for work responsibilities during specific hours, you may find people looking for someone to walk their dog or care for their pets during the day while at work. 

Child Care or Elderly Care 

Another way to receive income outside of the traditional workforce is to offer your services for either child or elderly care. First, decide if you would prefer to work with young children or older people, as they have different needs. Children need entertainment, patience, and constant supervision, while elderly individuals may require medical assistance or help to move around. 

Virtual Assistant 

Many busy businessmen and women are willing to pay good money for people to be their virtual assistants. These people may need assistance posting on their social media, performing business tasks, or completing personal errands. By being a virtual assistant, you can work from home and sometimes even from your smartphone! 

Frequently Asked Questions About Living Without a Job

How can I ensure hundreds of dollars of consistent income without a traditional career?

To secure a few hundred dollars regularly, consider diversifying your income streams. Freelance gigs, pet sitting, or creating digital products can provide a steady cash flow. It’s about finding what works for you and scaling it up.

What strategies can I use for financial planning when I choose to live without a job?

Start with a clear budget and stick to it. Invest in high yield savings accounts, seek out passive income resources, and always plan for the unexpected. Financial planning is crucial when you’re managing your own hours and income.

Can I really sustain my entire life without a job?

Absolutely! Many people live fulfilling lives without traditional employment by leveraging their valuable skills, pursuing freelance opportunities, and generating passive income. It requires discipline and smart financial planning, but it’s definitely possible.

How do I manage my cash flow effectively when I live without a job?

Keep track of all your income and expenses meticulously. Use budgeting apps, set aside money in a high yield savings account for emergencies, and always look for ways to minimize costs without sacrificing quality of life.

What are some passive income sources I can explore to live without a job?

Consider investing in dividend-paying stocks, rental properties, or creating digital products that require little to no maintenance after initial development. These can provide a stream of income with minimal ongoing effort.

How can I make a few hundred dollars quickly if I need cash without a job?

Look for short-term gigs like pet sitting, selling items you no longer need, or offering a service you’re skilled in. Sometimes, even participating in paid online surveys or research studies can provide that quick cash boost.

Is it possible to save effectively without a job?

Yes, it is. Prioritize saving by cutting unnecessary expenses, looking for discount and cashback opportunities, and putting any extra cash into a high yield savings account to grow your funds.

What kind of valuable skills can I develop to help me live without a job?

Focus on skills that are in demand and can be monetized easily, such as digital marketing, writing, coding, or graphic design. These skills can help you create products or offer services that people are willing to pay for.

Can I still contribute to a retirement fund if I don’t have a government job or a traditional employer?

Certainly! You can open an individual retirement account (IRA) and contribute to it regularly. Some IRAs are even designed for self-employed individuals or those without a traditional employment structure.

What should I consider before deciding to live my life without a traditional position?

Reflect on your long-term goals, the lifestyle you want, and the level of financial security you need. Consider if you’re ready to be disciplined about your work and financial planning, and whether you have or can develop income streams that align with your life’s vision.

A Final Note From CreditNinja on How To Live Without a Job 

Now that you have an answer to the question, “How to live without a job,” you can start improving your financial situation and securing your future. With all of the non-traditional income streams available, there are plenty of opportunities for you to successfully and happily live without a job! 

But if you ever find yourself in need of no income loans with no job, turn to CreditNinja! You could get a personal loan with competitive interest rates and quality customer service. Our online loans have numerous positive reviews. Check out the CreditNinja website for more information on how to qualify for installment loans and the types of perks we offer. 

References:

  1. Understanding the Self-Employed in the United States │ American Progress
  2. Self-employed statistics │ Yahoo Finance
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