4 ms·

I've tried a few times - mostly just blogging and pay-per-click revenue and developing software and sites for individual clients. It was not worth the trouble.

I've tried a few times - mostly just blogging and pay-per-click revenue and developing software and sites for individual clients. It was not worth the trouble. Maybe it was only possible in the last decade (2009-2020) due to the stock market being in a valley when I started investing a large percentage of my income each year, but I now make 6 figures a year in dividends and capital gains from my investments in S&P funds. I did live frugally and sacrificed a lot, and it probably helped that I do not have a family nor a mortgage. Because I still live way beneath my means, this "business" continues to grow exponentially year after year, and I'll be able to retire pretty comfortably in my mid 40's (estimate). It takes very little of my time (compared to an actual business like Ebay reselling or some small SAAS that I could create). I know it's not the type of side-hustle many on this site imagine, but it probably is more feasible for those who don't have any million-dollar ideas, don't want to put in the time and energy into a high-risk venture, and already enjoy (or can tolerate) their day job that pays well enough.

asdev 6y ago
do you have a finance background? what resources did you use to get started?
- hiram112 6y ago
  No I don't have a finance background, but my dad was a finance guy. Growing up he gave a small amount of money to us each year in a mutual fund, and so I learned very young how exponential growth works. It's one thing to learn about it with formulas in math class, quite another to see the $500 invested at 12 years old become $3000 in your late 20s, without doing any work or maintenance. It leaves an impression. The best resource I can think of right now is something like Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/ https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/. There are various sister subs that are more specific to the lifestyle you want. Getting started earlier - in your 20s, especially if you make a decent engineer's salary with low cost lifestyle - is the biggest advantage you have over everyone else.

asdev 6y ago

do you have a finance background? what resources did you use to get started?

hiram112 6y ago
No I don't have a finance background, but my dad was a finance guy. Growing up he gave a small amount of money to us each year in a mutual fund, and so I learned very young how exponential growth works. It's one thing to learn about it with formulas in math class, quite another to see the $500 invested at 12 years old become $3000 in your late 20s, without doing any work or maintenance. It leaves an impression. The best resource I can think of right now is something like Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/ https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/. There are various sister subs that are more specific to the lifestyle you want. Getting started earlier - in your 20s, especially if you make a decent engineer's salary with low cost lifestyle - is the biggest advantage you have over everyone else.