While expletives aren’t generally appropriate in the workplace, sometimes they’re very appropriate to use in your head. Directed toward your workplace. Sometimes, you just gotta get out of there; here’s how to make sure you can. Read on…
Today’s question comes from Aaron H., who asks, “I know you’re not a financial advisor or anything, but I still wanted your thoughts about a few things. Knowing that you’ve worked both on-staff and freelance, I was curious to know how much you think someone should have saved up?”
So yes, to be entirely clear and avoid any liability lawsuits, I am absolutely not a financial planner of any sort. If you have financial questions, please speak with a licensed professional.
That said, here’s my firm opinion: You need to have enough money in your savings account so that you can walk away from any situation and not have to worry about how you’ll pay your bills.
This is called “Eff You” money. As in, the kind of money where you can say, “Thank you very much, but I’ll be moving on now” while thinking, “Take this job and shove it.”
Life is simply too short to spend 40+ hours being miserable. It’s too short to spend that time being miserable on-staff at a crappy job and it’s too short to spend that time being miserable with a crappy client.
I always encourage people who are working full-time, even working full-time at copywriting jobs, to take the occasional freelance copywriting gig. They help keep your skills and your portfolio fresh, but they also bring in extra cash and help you amass that Eff You money even faster.
I know that for some people, the idea of having a couple of months’ worth of expenses saved up seems impossible. But anything at all you can sock away helps you to get to that goal. And, again, the more freelance work you take on, the faster you can get there. (Also, the better you get at copywriting and the more you can raise your rates, the faster you can get there, too.)
One of the most dispiriting things in life is to feel trapped in a situation. And one of the most empowering things in life is knowing that you’re able to get yourself out of a situation if you need to.
You should never burn bridges (especially not in this industry), but you should also be able to politely walk away—and say “eff you” in your head—whenever you need to.
Your turn! Are you working on an Eff You fund? How’s it coming? Let us know in the comments below!
This article really hit home with me. I am stuck working in a job I hate for a man I can’t stand. This is good advice.
Hi Bryan,
Well, I’m sorry to hear your job is so miserable right now, but I’m glad to hear you found the advice helpful! Keep me posted and let me know if you amass your Eff You money and put it to good use! 😉
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Bang on. Freedom is priceless. And self respect comes a close second. But you need a stack of cash to pay for it.
Your advice about not verbalizing “Eff off” is sound. It’s almost more empowering and satisfying to do it politely…because they probably know what you are really saying. Also, you walk away still occupying the moral high ground. What’s that line about never getting in a fight with an idiot – something about people finding it hard to tell who the idiot is…
Love the posts, keep them coming. I’ve been a copywriter for years but I find your insights very refreshing and reassuring.
Hi Jim,
Yes—as you already know and many creatives soon discover, the industry is small! It will never be worth it to burn bridges since you never know when you’ll need those contacts (or contacts of those contacts).
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the posts—and thanks for commenting!
Nicki