How to live without a job?
Not everyone wants to work a traditional 9-5 job. For some people, it is fulfilling and rewarding. However, for others, the idea of working all day, every day, in an office sounds like a nightmare.
If you’re feeling suffocated by your life and the idea of going to work every day, it might be time for a change. The benefits of working out how to make a living without a traditional job are varied but include:
- You can work from anywhere.
- Spend more time with your family.
- Be able to travel the world and explore new places.
- Gain a sense of freedom.
- Create new and sustainable sources of income.
is it possible to live well without a job?
Yes, absolutely! The reason that many people have jobs is because they need a paycheck to meet their financial needs and crave the security of having that regular income.
If you’re financially savvy, like to be creative and enjoy trying new things, then there are so many ways for you to not only live without a job or money but also thrive while doing it.
how to Make a living without working a 9 to 5 job
Every person has their own reasons for wanting to look at alternative ways to make a living.
For some, it is because they want the freedom and flexibility of not having anyone dictate how often or when you work. Others are looking to avoid jobs that require them going into an office every day.
There is no single path for living happily without a job, but the steps to take are pretty easy to find. And you get to control what needs to be done in order to make it happen.
In summary, you need to diversify your income, cut your expenses, and tell yourself that money’s not everything. And as long as you put in the work, it’ll all work out!
Is it possible to live without a job?
It’s totally possible to live without a job in the traditional sense. You will still need money in some form but you can live without a 9-5 job for sure. You can make a living without a traditional job by trying out some of the ideas below.
How do I survive without a job?
Your first step in working out how to give up work and survive without a job is having a well funded emergency fund. Ideally this should be 3-6 months of essential expenses.
This gives you the breathing room you need to find alternative ways to make a living and decompress from the 9-5 job you hated.
How much money do you need to live without a job?
If you found a way to survive without a job and no money then the answer is nothing at all. Realistically though we all need money to survive in today’s world.
But the less you need to spend the less you need to either earn or save. If your total annual expenses are only $7,000 then you only need $7,000 a year to live.
How can I survive with no income?
It’s possible to survive without a regular income, without any money at all? Not so easy. The best way to survive on very little is to keep your expenses as low as possible. Find some place free to live, eat basic food like beans, rice and seasonal veg. Don’t run a car, don’t have gadgets. You get the picture.
Is it possible to live for free?
You can certainly live for free when it comes to rent. See below for ideas on housesitting. Short term you can also stay with friends, couch or sofa surf and get a job which has accommodation included in the benefits package.
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9 steps to take so you can learn how to live happily without a job
Luckily, there are many ways you can still generate income without having to work a traditional 9-5 job.
Everyone has heard of the side hustle: that extra work you do to generate income on top of your regular job.
But did you know that there are many different types of side hustles? And that they can provide you with enough money to give up work (in the traditional sense)?
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1. Freelance Jobs
There are many websites that offer freelance jobs, such as
I’ve used
Freelancing Apps: There are also a variety of apps available in app stores that can be used by freelancers looking for work or clients seeking talent.
What skills do you need to be a freelancer?
If you have a set of skills, such as writing, graphic design or website techy skills, that can be used to generate income, then this might be the perfect way for you to earn extra money.
In order to become successful in these fields and create quality products with a freelance company like
The most important thing is knowing your way around a computer and the Internet: this allows you to work remotely from home without having a boss or having to travel to an office.
You also have access to an incredible variety of digital tools that can be used to complete projects, such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop.
It will help you secure more gigs long term if you have your own website and social media account. These give you the freedom of setting up a personal space that showcases your services (which can then be accessed by potential clients).
2. Rental Property
If you have an extra bedroom or two, consider renting it out on Airbnb. This is one of the most lucrative ways to generate income without working that 9-5 cubicle job.
It’s become more popular in recent years, thanks to people realizing their homes are worth more than they previously thought.
3. Buying and reselling items
Another great way to generate income is by buying and reselling items (often called flipping). This can be done in a variety of ways, such as through online auction sites or at flea markets.
The possibilities are endless: anything from clothing to furniture can be bought for next-to-nothing prices and resold. With profit margins that allow you the opportunity to make a living without working in an office every day.
If you are interested in flipping bargains you find, then you’ll want to watch this
4. driver for Uber or Lyft
This might be the perfect option for those looking at how to be financially independent without a job that requires the 9-5 grind.
There are many people out there who work traditional hours at a desk and need to get around town, but don’t want to spend too much on transportation costs or waste gas by driving themselves everywhere.
If you have your own car (or know someone who does) then consider signing up for one of these services to help make extra money on the side. It’s a great way to get out and meet new people, explore your city and have some fun while making an income at the same time!
5. housesitting
Another great way to generate income is by housesitting. This job will allow you the opportunity to live in a nice, well-furnished house while being paid by the owners who are away for work or on vacation.
It’s an easy and lucrative option that can be a temporary solution while you are looking for additional ways to make money so you can live without a job.
You can get long term house-sitting gigs too and these are perfect for living almost without money as you have no housing expense to pay, or utility bills. Housesitting is the best place to live without a job and you get paid for living there!
6. Selling items
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to generate income without quitting your job, then consider selling items on eBay.
You can purchase things from garage sales or thrift stores at low prices, clean them up and sell them in the online marketplace with listing fees typically only being $1-$2 per item.
Thinking about selling on Amazon? – sign up for
7. dog walking
Dog walking is one of the most common side hustles that many people think about. There are plenty of dog owners out there who need a dog walker while they are out at work and you can make an easy $20 for 20 minutes worth of work!
Many people set up their own website or social media account and advertise their services, which is a great way to let people know what you can do.
8. find free entertainment
Living without a job is not just about different ways of making money, it’s also about learning how to live without money. Or rather, with very little money.
If you want to find free ways to spend your time, then consider reading a book or hanging out with friends. Other free things you can do include:
- Watch TV episodes, Youtube videos or other free content online.
- Play a computer game and have fun with your friends at the same time.
- Take up drawing, painting or another creative pursuit that doesn’t cost anything to do except for some paper and paintbrushes (but you can always pick those items up from your house).
- Take a walk with your dog in the park.
- Play board games or card games that don’t cost anything at all – just use some of the ones you have around the house. The classic game
Monopoly is one example of this and it’s been entertaining kids (and adults) for generations!
9. minimize your expenses in order to live without a job
One of the most important steps to take in order to live without a job is minimizing your expenses. This will likely mean cutting back on luxuries and finding ways to save money, such as cooking at home more often or taking public transport instead of taxis.
Minimize Purchases. If you need something that will make life easier, such as a dishwasher, it might be worth investing in one.
However, if you want to ease the stress of living without a job and avoid getting into more debt than necessary, then try to limit what you buy. After all you don’t need a dishwasher, you can do it the old fashioned way with water and liquid soap!
Cook at Home. Cooking your own meals is both healthier for you and cheaper than eating out or ordering in food. This will help save money, which can then be used on other things like travel expenses that might not have been possible before.
Cut your electricity bill. By turning items off at the wall. This includes things like lights, TVs and other electronics.
Use public transport. Instead of taxis or Uber (be the driver, not the passenger).
Cold showers. Cut back on water usage by taking cold showers. I love cold showers! Not only do I know I am saving electricity, I’m also saving water because cold showers tend to be quick ones!
Here are a few articles to help you cut costs right down:
11 Extreme Frugality Tips To Really Save Money
70+ Best Ways To Save Money On Groceries
How To Save Electricity Doing Absolutely Nothing
How To Stop Spending Money On Unnecessary Stuff
how to live without a job and almost no money
The world is changing and the way we work is changing with it. A jobless life may seem impossible, but truth be told, it isn’t any more. Sure you might need to earn money, but no longer do you need to be shackled to the 9-5 if you don’t want to.
There are many ways to save money when you don’t have a job – these are just a few of them. Choose the right side hustles and gigs that suit your lifestyle.
They will help you move towards living without a job by minimizing expenses and finding freelance jobs so that you can make money on the side of whatever else you want to be doing.
I hope these 9 ideas inspire you to find the right side hustle for yourself and live life on your own terms!
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Last Updated on 27th January 2022 by Emma
