ificate of deposit) and gets guaranteed 3.5% annual interest, or $300 a month return. He also got a pension buyout of $800,000 and gets 6% from an investment account. That’s another $4000 a month. Yet he barely breaks a sweat, except when he’s exercising. He allows his money to work for him, thus avoiding the usual employment pains.

Okay, so maybe y

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man, healthy, wealthy and wise.” – 15th Century quote, author, unknown

At least, that was the theory. I suppose it carried forward to the pre-industrial era where, as an agrarian society, one had to plant, cultivate, and harvest to survive. Early rising as the cock crowed, was the picture painted by many writers. Back then, one worked in the fields until sundown, only to repeat the process the following day. Except for the Sabbath, one could continue to work in this manner from the time one was able. That meant the relatively young and elderly, as well. As we transformed with the Industrial Revolution, machinery like the combine, began to take over the manual labor and allow us to concentrate on more productive ventures. We could manipulate the environment and natural resources to aid us in our quest for self-sufficiency.

Today, the hard work ethic, is still propagated by many. “The early bird catches the worm,” also comes to mind. So you get a jump on the business day, sell the products or services, run the store, or bag those groceries. You put in the hard work and time and reap the rewards. It makes complete sense. Or does it? What if I told you that I know a person who makes $300 a month by doing absolutely nothing? I lied, because he also makes $4000 a month. Let me explain.

He received $100,000 in a business deal, stuck it in a bank CD (certificate of deposit) and gets guaranteed 3.5% annual interest, or $300 a month return. He also got a pension buyout of $800,000 and gets 6% from an investment account. That’s another $4000 a month. Yet he barely breaks a sweat, except when he’s exercising. He allows his money to work for him, thus avoiding the usual employment pains.

Okay, so maybe y

ers. Back then, one worked in the fields until sundown, only to repeat the process the following day. Except for the Sabbath, one could continue to work in this manner from the time one was able. That meant the relatively young and elderly, as well. As we transformed with the Industrial Revolution, machinery like the combine, began to take over the manual labor and allow us to concentrate on more productive ventures. We could manipulate the environment and natural resources to aid us in our quest for self-sufficiency.

Today, the hard work ethic, is still propagated by many. “The early bird catches the worm,” also comes to mind. So you get a jump on the business day, sell the products or services, run the store, or bag those groceries. You put in the hard work and time and reap the rewards. It makes complete sense. Or does it? What if I told you that I know a person who makes $300 a month by doing absolutely nothing? I lied, because he also makes $4000 a month. Let me explain.

He received $100,000 in a business deal, stuck it in a bank CD (certificate of deposit) and gets guaranteed 3.5% annual interest, or $300 a month return. He also got a pension buyout of $800,000 and gets 6% from an investment account. That’s another $4000 a month. Yet he barely breaks a sweat, except when he’s exercising. He allows his money to work for him, thus avoiding the usual employment pains.

Okay, so maybe y

labor and allow us to concentrate on more productive ventures. We could manipulate the environment and natural resources to aid us in our quest for self-sufficiency.

Today, the hard work ethic, is still propagated by many. “The early bird catches the worm,” also comes to mind. So you get a jump on the business day, sell the products or services, run the store, or bag those groceries. You put in the hard work and time and reap the rewards. It makes complete sense. Or does it? What if I told you that I know a person who makes $300 a month by doing absolutely nothing? I lied, because he also makes $4000 a month. Let me explain.

He received $100,000 in a business deal, stuck it in a bank CD (certificate of deposit) and gets guaranteed 3.5% annual interest, or $300 a month return. He also got a pension buyout of $800,000 and gets 6% from an investment account. That’s another $4000 a month. Yet he barely breaks a sweat, except when he’s exercising. He allows his money to work for him, thus avoiding the usual employment pains.

Okay, so maybe y

n the store, or bag those groceries. You put in the hard work and time and reap the rewards. It makes complete sense. Or does it? What if I told you that I know a person who makes $300 a month by doing absolutely nothing? I lied, because he also makes $4000 a month. Let me explain.

He received $100,000 in a business deal, stuck it in a bank CD (certificate of deposit) and gets guaranteed 3.5% annual interest, or $300 a month return. He also got a pension buyout of $800,000 and gets 6% from an investment account. That’s another $4000 a month. Yet he barely breaks a sweat, except when he’s exercising. He allows his money to work for him, thus avoiding the usual employment pains.

Okay, so maybe y

ificate of deposit) and gets guaranteed 3.5% annual interest, or $300 a month return. He also got a pension buyout of $800,000 and gets 6% from an investment account. That’s another $4000 a month. Yet he barely breaks a sweat, except when he’s exercising. He allows his money to work for him, thus avoiding the usual employment pains.

Okay, so maybe you don’t have a fat bank account. So what can you do? The point is, that the days of having to put in long hours to achieve success are behind us. There are alternatives to explore.

One innovative idea is to turn a part-time hobby into a business. Using the Internet such as Ebay is the obvious choice. Selling collectibles may be a possibility. Or start a service business where a large investment is unnecessary. Allowing others to work for you on your way to becoming an entrepreneur, makes perfect sense, if you’re willing to try something new. A home-based Internet business can be started for mere dollars a month. Reconsider what you are worth recognizing that an hourly wage is usually the lowest form of payment. Think how you could be paid as a consultant or adviser. What skills or expertise do you possess that people might pay for? In most cases, your mind is worth more than your labor. Speak to other family members about how they could contribute to a family-run operation. Begin to network and spread the word about your desire to break out of the employee rut. You’ll be amazed regarding the possibilities, once your intentions are known.

I’m not saying to quit your present job. I’m asking you to consider a separate venture that could become a permanent replacement when the income is large enough. It’s like building a small cottage next to the current home while you continue there and, when it