How To Quit Your Job

Why should you take my advice on how to quit your job? Because
I'm a job-quitting expert, and my expertise has been gained through
experience. I've quit many jobs in many industries. In fact, I can
think of fifteen jobs that I've quit off the top of my head.

The most recent job I quit was at the Post Office. Don't let
anyone tell you that you'll get used to the schedule of a vampire - you
won't. Now it has been over two years since I've had a job. The real
issue of course is, "How to quit your job and still pay the bills."
Here are some ideas, based on experience.

Don't Think Like An Employee

Some employees are afraid of their employers, and feel dependent
on them. Some even feel bitter or "trapped." But why think that way?
Even if you stay at your present job twenty more years (there may be
good reasons to), why not consider yourself a business owner, in the
business of selling your labor? When you don't like the terms or price,
you can negotiate a better deal or go elsewhere.

Working in management in a restaurant years ago, I told my
customer (my employer) I could only work one day, down from five,
because I had other plans for my time. Since they liked my work, they
agreed. What if they hadn't? There were other jobs - there are always
other opportunities. What if you decide to stay at a job a while? Fully
accept that it is YOUR business decision, and you'll have no reason to
feel bitter or "trapped."

When you think of yourself as a business owner, selling your
labor, skills and knowledge, it opens your mind to the possibilities of
better jobs, and even business or investing activities. This is an
advantage of taking this perspective, but not the best reason to. The
best reason is that you will feel free, and never feel dependent upon
another.

Control And Reduce Your Expenses

It's easier to quit a job if your expenses are lower. It's not
necessarily a problem of spending, but of having your fixed expenses
too high. Actually, if you can support your basic lifestyle on
virtually any job out there, you can feel free to live it up when you
have a good job. Don't get into debt, or add too many financial
obligations to your life, and when you quit that job, you're not in
trouble. Just quickly cut out the excess.

Find a way to reduce the costs in very area of your life, while
maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. For example, if you are single,
consider splitting the rent on an apartment instead of living alone.
Buy foods on sale (only ones that you like) and you'll save on food.
Turn down the thermostat when you are out. Group and route your errands
to save miles in the car. Finally, probably the most important thing to
do is to avoid consumer debt.

Money In The Bank

Have six months living expenses in the bank. It is one of the
most important lessons in how to quit your job. Think it can't be done?
You know there are people living on less income than you. Live like
they do for a while, save the excess, and you'll always have a
financial "cushion" that allows you to quit a job when you want. When
you have income again, replenish this fund before you do anything else.

In my own life, I've rarely worked full-time jobs. I often took
unpaid vacations for as long as five weeks at a time. I quit working
altogether for months at a time. All of this was possible because I had
low expenses, and money in the bank: freedom.

Other Sources Of Income

I used to rent rooms in my home for $80 per week - two or more
at a time. You can do the math. I paid off the mortgage early, and
lived for free for many years. I loaned money to friends who bought and
sold cars, splitting the profits with them. I made and sold three
hundred walking sticks one summer.

Watch for any opportunities for income. Have a country home?
Collect a few hundred dollars each for boats or RVs to be seasonally
stored on your land. If you have a hobby you enjoy, find a way to make
it pay. Get a part time job just because it is interesting, but then
set aside every penny from it as your how-to-quit-your-job fund.

Eventually, I decided I've had enough jobs. (Maybe one more, if
it's interesting.) I started this internet business with a few hundred
dollars, and now it pays more than any job I've ever had. My wife likes
having me at home every day, and I like making money telling you how to
quit your job.