A millennial IT professional, John, based in California, quietly earned over $300,000 last year by secretly juggling two remote jobs, per Business Insider’s documents.
However, despite his substantial earnings, John adopts a cautious approach to his expenditures.
John, who has amassed approximately $150,000 in savings since commencing his dual-job arrangement in 2021, remains frugal in his lifestyle choices. He maintains his modest car, opts for economy class flights, and typically lodges in two- to three-star hotels during his travels.
His prudent financial habits stem from his aspiration to own a home, with his current savings primarily allocated towards a down payment that would consume a significant portion.
Reflecting on his financial situation, John, whose identity remains confidential due to professional concerns, remarked, “I wish I could claim it made me wealthy, and while I’m not struggling financially, homeownership still feels out of reach.”
Despite his thrifty mindset, John allocated a substantial portion of his earnings last year towards a memorable three-week honeymoon across Asia with his spouse, totaling around $9,000, as indicated by documents examined by BI.
The decision to indulge in this expense was influenced by their long-standing desire to visit the continent, which had been delayed due to the pandemic. With John already managing two jobs, they seized the opportunity to splurge on their postponed vacation.
John is part of a distinct cohort of individuals discreetly balancing multiple jobs, often yielding six-figure incomes, leveraging the burgeoning market for remote positions.
These individuals utilize their surplus earnings to settle debts, plan for early retirement, and indulge in lavish getaways. While some employers may disregard secondary employment, unauthorized moonlighting could lead to termination.
John’s decision to pursue over-employment stemmed from a reevaluation prompted by a former supervisor’s inquiry about his job search. Despite initial reservations, he explored the prospect, motivated by financial goals such as homeownership, vacations, and early retirement.
Managing both roles, John found a harmonious balance, typically working no more than 50 hours a week, with his standard workday spanning from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Luck and adept time management aided him in juggling his responsibilities, with minimal overlap between his teams’ daily meetings and efficient task completion.
While critics may question the ethical implications of over-employment, John maintains that he provides value to each employer rather than merely fulfilling hours. He sees no wrongdoing as long as he delivers satisfactory results for the compensation received.
Looking ahead, John intends to sustain his dual-job arrangement. However, he has ruled out pursuing a third job due to past experiences indicating its unsustainability.
Balancing three commitments simultaneously proved overwhelming, reinforcing his commitment to managing his workload effectively.