Job Scripts

Job Scripts: A Tail of Two Spouses

There are many ways to reach financial independence. Usually, most of them focus on one form of employment or another. Although some start by owning their own businesses, the majority of us begin our careers as employees. All jobs, however, are not created equally. And all employees don’t necessarily take the same path. There are various job scripts out there. Whether you are a company hopper or far more monogamous, the way you play the employment game can have profound effects on your path to financial freedom.

My wife and I are perfect examples of how each of these scripts plays out. We have taken very different paths in our professional careers.

Is one better than the other?

A Company (Wo)Man

My wife is the picture of a loyal employee. She fits the job script well. She started with her company right out of college. Although her job description looks nothing like it did at the beginning, she has found a way to move both upward and sideways within the same business. Twenty years later, her pay stubs are still issued by the same employer.

Twenty years.

There have been numerous benefits. Her wages have steadily increased. Her vacation time allotment is fairly luxurious. She got over six months off after the delivery of each of our children.

She has had a consistent 401K match, a number of years where she got a pension, and we have been provided health insurance at a deep discount for the whole family.

Not bad! It’s come at a price. She has had very little freedom long term. She has had to deal with long hours at times, bad bosses, travel, and a general loss of control.

When her boss says jump. She jumps.

The Job Hopper

My career pathway has been nothing like my spouses. The job script has been that of the job hopper. My first gig lasted just a few months. Since then I have worked for a big business, worked as a partner in a small group, and worked solely for myself.

I am an opportunist. I move from time to time to create either more income or more freedom. While I don’t have a nagging boss holding me back, I also have very little safety net.

I have no 401K match. No pension (except the one I created for myself). If I want to have health insurance and not rely on my wife, I have to buy it myself. No discounts.

I have maximum freedom, but also have taken on maximal risk. There is no one to catch me if I fall.

I am an island.

Which is Better?

I have oversimplified of course. There are many variations. Many job scripts. There is the company man that becomes the boss. The job hopper who never works for herself. The freelancer. The list could go on and on.

Is there any benefit to one over the other? When it comes to financial independence? Probably not. As we have mentioned before, income is only one leg ofa stable financial plan. There is also saving, investing, side hustling, etc.

The point is to make an income that can take care of daily needs, and then what’s left over can compound over time.

Mostly, career decisions are based on risk tolerance.

For those who are risk adverse, working for one corporation for long periods of time may be beneficial. For those who are more adventurous, moving from position to position might just increase salary and lead to more opportunity.

Either works.