Multiple Income Streams \ Side Hustles

I saw this the other day and thought back on my career. I was laid off three or four time, exhausted my savings and had to borrow money once to bridge the unemployment gaps. 

Along the way it struck me that, while I was an employee with ONE income, all of my smart clients had multiple income streams. So, I decided to developed multiple income streams too:

1.   My main income came from salary work with one ad agency.

2.   My wife was a Film Set Decorator and then became a Realtor. 

3.   Then I did a few freelance marketing projects here and there.

4.   I boarded dogs while the owners went away for the winter.

5.   I restored and sold some old but nice MCM furniture.

6.   I grew our investments so that they could provide some bridging income in low income years and be our main income when we retire.

7.   Now that I'm over 65, I receive OAS.

8.   Ditto for my wife.

9.   Now that I'm over 65, I receive CPP.

10. Ditto for my wife.

While "financial peace of mind" is the greatest immediate benefit, discovering and utilizing more of your native and aquired skill sets is the greatest benefit because you see and have the confidence to pursue and succeed in far more business opportunites.

One example. When I worked for large international ad agencies, I was employed as a Media Director, or Account Director on a very short list of very large multi-million dollar accounts.

When I did freelance work, I was functionally the Account and Creative Director, rolled into one, solving communication problems for all kinds of small businesses.

My unique combination of large agency, large business, Media and Account service experience enabled me to offer a very valuable and unique USP to small agenices and their clients.