As you can surmise, it continues to be a busy time for me. I’ve been doing a bit of work for the Conservation District (the “water people”), a ton of work for my old company, and a good deal of work for myself. Add on to that two more potential SQL Server projects and my plate is looking full.

While there is a lot about IT that I hate, there is enough interesting stuff to keep me in the business, but on my terms. I’m pretty much through working any sort of 9 to 5 job. Don’t get me wrong, I’d take one if I needed to, but I’m fortunate enough to have found plenty of part-time / remote gigs to pay the bills.

Some people have mentioned to me that they couldn’t handle not having a “real” job. To that I say: In this economy, there’s no such thing as a “real” job. Whatever you are doing–and I mean whatever–can be automated, outsourced, or shifted to a lower paid goon. There is always someone out there who will do your job for less money.

Once you get over that, and stop worrying about “job security” (what a joke), things get easier. I get nervous sometimes, wondering what I’ll be working on a month from now, but then I think about times like now–where I have plenty of work. Feast or famine, I guess. The key is to save like crazy during the feast times so the famine doesn’t wipe you out.

Easier said than done, I know. I happen to be in an industry that (currently) over-pays it’s people, and I’m taking advantage of that fact. But keep this in mind: Wealth is a matter of spending less than you make. Quit spending money on a bunch of crap you don’t need. Your time and sanity is more important than any “keeping up with the Joneses” nonsense. I learned very early on that the more you make the more you spend. It took me a long time to break that habit, and I couldn’t be happier.