Happiness and Money
The Fundamental Problem With “Getting a Second Job”
+ 10 ideas to combat hyper-inflation
It is a cold February evening, you sip your decaf coffee on the heels of finding out that inflation has just hit its highest level since before you were born. This reality is brief, then you keep working hard on your side hustle, refilling your coffee well into the evening hours.
After finishing up some final tasks for a client, you open an email from a large bank that is labelled, “how inflation is good for you”. As your curiousity spikes and the thought of the lifeboat coming to save you from the words on the screen, you read on…
Point #1 — Save money. Not bad advice, just obvious. Heck, I have taught that to a grade 7 math class. Although helpful, it still doesn’t fully make one feel comfortable with ole grandpa inflation.
Point #2 — Leverage Assets. A bit better. Certainly helpful for those who are in a certain income class or those who are already well positioned to combat inflation.
Point #3 — Get a second job and make more money. Terrible.
Here are 5 reasons why…
1. Ownership of Inflation
Who the hell is responsible for 40-year inflation highs anyway? By suggesting the reader get a second job to help make more money and keep up with inflation, it still doesn’t explain who is responsible. It’s deflective. Why is this a recommendation to begin with? Why is it my responsibility as a reader concerned about inflation to get a second or even a third job because the math that I don’t control is forcibly spinning out of control by those who are paid to control it? Makes no sense to me. Telling the reader to get a second job is like saying, “well, you have to accept these poor economic outlook you have by treading more to make more money” without addressing the issue of how we landed in the river with no life jacket in the first place.
2. Happiness
Whatever happened to the days when it was celebrated and encouraged to come home from your work when the work day was done to live comfrotably and happily with your family? By encouraging people to get a second or third job…