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January 10, 2023

The Good Life

I have a life that many people would love to lead. I work two jobs to support my family, and while I am not getting rich, we live comfortably. My daily life is far from ordinary in the world we live in. I do not punch a time clock or commute to work every morning during rush hour traffic.

In fact, my commute to work is probably very different from nearly every single person in the country.

Working A Dream Job

I hold two jobs, but neither of them is the typical nine to five grind that most people experience. My primary source of income involves riding a motorcycle. When I tell people I get paid to ride my motorcycle it usually results in jaw dropping stares. When I further explain that I get paid to ride into oncoming traffic and I have strobe lights and a siren on my bike the looks are accompanied by the question “are you a cop?”

The truth is that I am not a motor patrol officer, at least, not in the strictest sense. I work for a company that provides motor escorts for funeral processions, weddings, and birthday parties. I love my job, because it combines my passion for riding machines with two wheels with my need to provide for my family.

My second job is to write about my experiences and share knowledge I have gained over the years. In fact, I am doing that job right now in writing this article. This job is also one that I love, because it gives me the opportunity to share my story. It allows me to pass on the knowledge I have gained that has given me this life I truly love to lead.

How I Got Here

Getting to the point of being able to support my family by working in two fields I truly enjoy was not an easy journey. Along the way I worked many other jobs trying desperately to find one that fit my need for financial support, as well as the need for time and freedom.

In today’s economy it is almost impossible to find a job that will allow you to support your family on a single income, yet still provide time to be the husband and father you need and want to be. I feel like I have managed that impossible task. However, it did not come without sacrifice.

When I first started writing I was also working full time in the construction industry. I worked 12 hour days remodeling homes and businesses and worked late into the night building a reputation for writing well documented content. This meant working 18 to 20 hours per day sometimes, and my time was very limited with my family.

When I was offered the job working as a motorcycle escort, I was amazed that I could be paid to ride my bike. I was even more amazed that I could earn a decent paycheck while working less than 40 hours per week. That job alone would not be enough to pay the bills, but it only takes up about 20 hours of my time each week, leaving me free to work on other projects.

I coupled the riding job with the small income I earn as a content creator and between the two I am able to support my family. Between the two jobs I work about 40 hours per week and, while the pay is not enough for us to be considered wealthy, our bills are paid on time and we always have food on the table.

Time Is Worth Money

The truth is, I could earn a lot more money by devoting more of my time to writing or other skills I have. I have turned down good paying jobs in recent months simply because the time they would take up does not seem worth it to me. I know men and women who live very well on their incomes, but have no time to spend with family or doing the things they love because they are tied to the paycheck.

For me, having time to spend with my family is worth not having extra zeros on the bank account. Thanks to my relaxed work schedule, and the fact that I can write at any time of the day, I am able to have hobbies I enjoy. These include spending time with family, hiking, fishing, hunting and flying airplanes. If I were stuck working 60 plus hours per week to support my family, none of these would be possible.

So, the lesson I learned throughout the last few years is that time is worth money…however, in most cases, the reverse is not true. My time with my family is more valuable than any amount of money could ever be.

How To Choose What Is Valuable

I realize for most people the option to ride a motorcycle and write for a living probably is not the answer to their life’s questions. However, the questions we ask often determine the answers we receive. So, if you are struggling with finding a way to support your family as well as be there for them, perhaps you are asking the wrong questions.

For our family we had to sit down and ask each other what was really important. We had to determine if there were material things in our lives we could do without in return for having more time together. The result was that we downsized what we spent money on, and capitalized on our time. The payoff is that we are building a life that is heavily invested in our children and teaching them the value of time over money.

For me at least, that payoff is better than any paycheck could ever be.

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