I Haven’t Taken In Any Money in Months…

How skipping the consistent paycheck has led to financial freedom.

This past weekend I was sitting with some friends, and the topic of money came up, as it often does. In passing, I commented, "I don't think I've taken in any money in the past few months."

Something that was a common experience in my career caused the group to go silent. One of the guys looked at me like I was an alien…

At that moment, I realized the financial side of my life had looked a lot different than most.

My vision for creating financial freedom has always been to reinvest what I earn consistently and not sit on a stockpile of cash, even if it feels good. Instead, I like to put my capital to work.

Let's dig in…

I honestly can't remember the last time I had a consistent salaried paycheck since I was 16, busing tables at Sweet Tomatoes.

After that, I went years without a "steady paycheck" while working my way to building a stable company. Even when stability came, I had a "paycheck" from myself, but there were times when I couldn't cash it or needed to wait for certain things to hit.

I saw a paycheck as an opportunity to invest in my goals, using what I earned to build stepping stones to a better future.

And I keep this same mentality today. As an entrepreneur, reinvesting in my companies is critical for their well-being. So I sacrifice the paycheck with the intent of nurturing something bigger.

And while it's an unconventional way to approach livelihood for many, it's a significant contributor to the success of my career.

But it's not all sunshine and rainbows,

Sometimes I wake up frantic due to the cyclical revenue conditions in my way of life. While I know I'll be fine in the next 30 days, the immediate reaction from my mind/body is much more urgent.

Do I wish I had a steady paycheck? Sometimes, of course. But with that could come a comfort that would hinder my growth.

And that growth is something I believe in. So owning the discomfort and persisting through whatever comes my way has been my life story.

Obviously, with risk comes reward, but it's not for everyone. And that's OK. Everyone has a different comfort level with financial risk.

Understand where you feel at peace or balance; if a lack of guaranteed future income or sustainability scares you, you know where you stand.

-G aka The Re-Investor