Best of both worlds - Day Jobs plus Online Freelancing

Cristian Level X³

November 23, 2016, 11:31 am

21

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Six years ago back when I finished college and got my university degree I was already making money online so I saw no reason to find a "real job" as my father frequently told me.

I've freelanced for about 3 years from the conform of my home, managed to pay all my living expenses as well as save a little on the side to do other necessary things, so I won't say I was doing badly. But, after about 2 years I've begun seeking a way out, I've realized I needed something to change, my freelance monthly earnings were stuck at a medium level and wanted do more, earn more.

So I found a real job related to my university degree as a maritime engineer. Did that about 2 years and loved it! In this time I didn't freelance, the job was so overwhelming I didn't have any free time left, this is one of the reasons I had to quit.

For about one year now, switch the activity domain again and got a job as an SEO just because I had the freelance past experience to show off.

Benefits of having an office job:

Fixed monthly salary - I actually manage to get a raise on two occasions already;
Relatively close to home;
9-5 job meaning plenty of free time;
The opportunity to "grow" - when I was a full-time freelancer I thought I knew pretty much everything about SEO, well I didn't and that was the reason I wasn't doing so good back then. Working in a real agency makes me competitive about learning new skills and is improving the ones I already have. You can learn a LOT even from other departments just by interacting with people.

As far as my freelance career goes, it's finally gotten to a point where I'm very satisfied. I'm earning double the money I did when I was a full-time freelancer and recently my freelance monthly earnings had exceeded my day job salary.

Word of advice: Don't listen to anyone that tries to put you down, do what you think is right and never give up. If you feel you need a change, do it!

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

Good for you. I am glad that you managed to make the decision to make a change, as sometimes it is difficult to make such big decisions and commit yourself to a choice that affects so much of your life. It is a good thing that you found a job that you like, and that it is close to where you live as you do not spend too much time or money on traveling. I do agree that there is the undeniable benefit of having a fixed salary, and that you can improve your skills and knowhow through interactions with others. May you still find time for your freelancing so as not to let it go completely.

10 years ago

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hitmeasap

hitmeasap

I'm happy for you Cristian. Well done!
A 9-5 job is something I've had thoughts on for a very long time now. I've obviously had 9-5 jobs before but not since I became a full time freelancer. I do make a living online but I also have a few months each year I call "the dark times". These months are awful. I usually don't earn enough to cover the entire month's expenses during "the dark time", and that's also one of the biggest reason I've started to think about a 9-5 job instead of my freelancing career. I do say instead of just because I personally don't think I would be able to ever go back to do freelancing part time again. I love being a freelancer but doing it part time would honestly suck, however, I can still see why others are satisfied with it, but I personally wouldn't be able to do it.. At least I don't think so.

10 years ago

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Cristian

Cristian

You would learn, trust me, it's in your blood now. You will develop your own projects and from there is only a step to freelancing.
If a 9-5 job is paid more than you currently earn online, I would go with the 9-5 job and make a bonus out of it all by freelancing in my free time.

10 years ago

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hitmeasap

hitmeasap

I totally hear you Cristian and at first, I actually agreed on that. I do believe that I would learn and adapt. And I probably would in case I stopped freelancing for now and got myself a 9-5 job instead. But it's extremely hard to imagine something like that. It's hard to see it. I can't even imagine NOT to be a freelancer full time. I'd probably be better of by getting me a part time job, and use that as an extra income and still freelance on full time.

However, that wouldn't work in reality, as I would spend all my time freelancing, just as I do right now.

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Well, I have always been one to say work at home if you can, to hell with those 9 to 5 companies! But I am slowly changing my perspectives. Why should I allow for myself to say things like "To hell with companies making me work my life away?". After a recent medical issue, my perspective has drastically changed.

I think I would want to benefit from having a day job, with benefits, vacations, days off, salary***, and promotions. I think one benefit I would like to have is medical.. because going to the hospital or doctors can cost thousands, and I have already been there and done that this month, and I hope to not do it again... from my own mpocket..

So, in the future, I'm going to go back to the grind as it were, and do my freelancing in my spare time, and on my 9 to 5 off days. Also, I think it's great for me to leave the house everyday.. sometimes I feel as if I am a prisoner in my home!

10 years ago

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Cristian

Cristian

" sometimes I feel as if I am a prisoner in my home!"

This is exactly what I felt back when I was a full time freelancer! I used to go out a lot more just because I wanted to socialize and interact with people. Now I don't feel the need to go out every day, I get enough interaction, sometimes even more than I would desire, but what can you do...there would always be "something".

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Cristian I love this post, thank you!

The most important thing for anyone is to be true to themselves and to make the changes they feel necessary to grow and to improve. If working full time is what is going to be best for you, then make that change and when that needs to change again, do it.

I have often had so many people ask me what I did to get where I am and there are a few things, starting with going with my gut and trying new things. If I think something else will work better for me I go and try it out. And yes lots of things haven't worked but a lot of things have.

I have found that it is about exploring new things all the time.

10 years ago

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augusta

augusta

Well stated, one just have to be true to oneself, go with what pleases the body and don't allow other thoughts to imprison one.Freelancing with hard work can earn one good money as well.just do the jobs you feel can fetch you good money and its done.

9 years ago

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joegirl

joegirl

I guess it varies from individual to individual. If you can work full-time and still find time to freelance on the side, then you are one of the lucky ones. I have been in the corporate world and my work schedule was so hectic. There was no time to freelance by the side. I am now a freelance writer and I work from home and I am having the best time of my life. I would certainly choose freelancing over corporate world at any time.

9 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

There was a time when I was working full time online. However, these days, I have a day time job and I also work online. Income from online work is very unreliable. One day you might earn $100 and you may earn nothing for the entire week. If you have fixed daytime job, money will regularly come.

9 years ago

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Pixie06

Pixie06

I have a side business offline and I also work as an online seller and tutor. I earn more from my online works. I recently started with the online tutoring I earn a decent amount monthly. Previously I was only selling online and doing some micro jobs and I was not really earning that much from it.

9 years ago

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overcast

overcast

It's good to see how some of the people here can be both freelancer. And doing good job as a day time worker. And that means they seem to be saving more money in due time. I am skeptical about the investment though. But based on how I have done things it'd be reasonable to say that working full time and being online freelancer it can be one good experience over a period of time.

9 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

I am presently in that enviable position of having a day job and doing online freelancing. This is not to brag but I am getting a good salary from my job that’s why my friends were wondering why I am into freelancing that earns me only coins. It’s not really hard to explain but they have to realize that when I retire from my job, I will be left with no occupation. And that is scary because the retirement age here is nly 60. That’s such a young age to while away the time in the rocking chair.

9 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I've worked for 20 years and decided to retire early and pursue my online freelance career. In my opinion it really depends on the person and each of us has his / her own reasons and opinions on freelancing work and regular job.

8 years ago

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jaymish2

jaymish2

I agree that you have an option you should do both. You can freelance part time because this also takes a while to establish. I think it also depends on what you want from your life. Do you want to work more hours, do you want the freedom to determine your own life? A day job guarantees money but very little freedom. A freelance job is hard to learn and get into but once you get the hang of it, the sky is the limit in terms of income and freedom.

8 years ago

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