Welcome back, fellow parent

This week I’m covering a sure-fire way to grow your wallet: your career.

One of our readers last week asked me for tips on landing a work-from-home (WFH) job. Today’s newsletter is for you (they asked to remain anonymous). 🤓

I love working from home. It’s been a game changer for our family - my wife and I both work remotely and share an office space. Over the past few years, we’ve both been able to grow our wallets on two fronts: salary increases and cost savings.

We save ~$3k per year working remotely! Keep scrolling for tips on finding your next WFH job.

Disclaimer: today's newsletter contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking the link, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. 

The TL;DR

I get it - we’re all busy trying to keep other humans alive. Here are the key takeaways from today’s newsletter:

• There are many perks to the WFH lifestyle, including having more time to do what you enjoy and saving on expenses. My wife and I save ~$3k annually by working remotely.

• Start with your current employer - if you're a top performing they may be open to letting you work remotely.

• Update your resume and focus on the biggest impact first. If you need help, check out Resume.io or TopResume. Use KMONEY at checkout for 10% off.

• Make a list of your top employers and hit up the job boards to find new roles.

• Network until it hurts - it's a top way to land a referral and get in front of a hiring manager.

• Especially if you have a marketable skill, consider freelancing for companies such as Fiverr. It's a great way to work on your own schedule from home.

Is WFH for you?

I get it - working from home doesn't work for everyone. Sometimes it's a personality thing and other times it's because your role demands it (not sure anyone wants to have their surgeon operating from home).

For me, working remotely means: 

• More time with my wife and daughter (no more commute)

• Easier access to healthy foods and ways to exercise

• Saving $3,000 per year on all the nonsense that comes with spending time in the office (additional eating out, "office clothes," gas and car maintenance). 

Working remotely does come with a few challenges. I have to be more conscious of not letting work and life blend together. Thankfully, we have a dedicated office to help counteract this, but it can still be a challenge. 

I also work remotely for a company that is primarily in-office, so I miss out on water-cooler talk and a bit of team-building.  

Will this impact my career long term? Maybe. However, there are countless ways to make money nowadays but I only have one chance at being a good husband and father. I'll take my chances.

Tips on Landing a WFH Job

Keeping in mind that every remote job is different, there are a few things that you can do to give yourself a leg up over your competition (aka every other person applying for the same roles). 

Tip #1: Start with your current employer

If you love your job but are required to report to an office, talk to your employer before looking for something new. 

You'd be surprised, many companies make exceptions all the time and may allow you to work remotely, especially if you're a top performer that is adding value to your team and business.

Tip #2: Optimize your resume 

It should go without saying, but keep your resume up to date with your top accomplishments.

Focus on your biggest impacts first - recruiters only spend a few seconds on average per resume. Keep it action-oriented and measurable, especially if you can tie in a monetary impact.

I realize updating your resume is a chore. If you’d like some assistance in this area, I’d recommend either Resume.io (DIY option powered by AI) or TopResume (pass the work off to a human expert to craft your perfect resume). Both are great options to help you find your next remote work gig.

Oh, and TopResume offers a 60-day guarantee on their Premium and Ultimate packages which is pretty sweet.

Use the promo code KMONEY at checkout and you’ll receive 10% off your purchase.

Tip #3: Research Companies & Job Boards

Make a list of your top employers and roles. The job search can take some time - I'd recommend starting your search before you feel burned out in your current role. 

If you're note sure where to start, here’s a list of 20 of my favorite employers supporting remote work this year.

To cast a wider net, hit up the job boards as well. My favorite to find remote jobs is FlexJobs. They offer a robust job board and a ton of helpful articles about remote work.

I also keep an eye on platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. One perk of LinkedIn is that you can connect with individuals at your target companies, build a relationship, and potentially get a referral for an open role. 

These websites are also great because you can search by a specific job title, such as "accountant" and narrow down search results by your remote working preference, and see job postings from several employers at once.

Tip #4: Network

Networking is critical in the job search and it's no longer strictly in-person. I'd argue that networking is happening much more virtually, especially through platforms such as LinkedIn.

I find new connections by asking my current connections for introductions, finding fellow alumni from my alma mater, and reaching out to individuals in similar roles at my target companies. 

It takes a bit of elbow grease but can make a huge difference in your job search, especially if you can land a referral. Referrals are still one of the best ways to land a new job. 

As you network, try to give back to those around you. Everyone's time is precious, so if you're asking for an hour of time from someone else along with a potential referral, it doesn't hurt to buy them a coffee or offer to assist them with something in return. 

Tip #5: Consider Freelancing

If you have a marketable skill, consider freelancing at Upwork or Fiverr. Both platforms are top-tier and excel at connecting freelancers with job opportunities globally. 

You'll get to work on your own schedule and there are jobs for a wide range of skills, from administrative tasks to marketing to voiceover acting.

It’s super easy to get started on either platform. Upwork is known for longer engagements and typically charge by the hour. Fiverr is all about paying for individual projects - so instead of charging per hour for writing articles, you’d charge per article.

Question of the Week 🤔

As a parent, do you like to work remotely, or do you prefer to be in the office?

Hit reply, I’d love to hear more.

Money News 🤑

1. Reddit + OpenAI: Reddit announced a partnership with Open AI last week which sent the stock soaring 10%. Reddit will be getting a slew of AI features for users and moderators, while providing platform content to ChatGPT.

2. Will Bitcoin Surge 5,700% by 2030?: Cathie Wood (CEO of Ark Invest) is extremely bullish on Bitcoin - believing each coin will be worth $3.8M by 2030. Considering each coin is valued at ~$66k at the time of this writing, that’s a huge upside if she’s correct.

3. Warren Buffett Reveals Mystery Stock: Warren Buffett finally revealed his investment Chubb Limited (CB). He originally asked the SEC for confidentiality as he began buying shares of the company and the mystery has kept followers on the edge of their seats.

Thank You for Reading

Thanks again for reading. Drop me a note with what’s on your mind, I’m here to help.

Talk soon,

The Dollar Dad

P.S. If you’re considering starting a newsletter or blog this year, I’d highly recommend Beehiiv (use my link for 20% off any paid plan for 3 months). Drop me a note if you need help getting started or growing your business.

P.S.S. As a heads up, the above link for Beehiiv is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase using the above link, I’ll receive a commission at no extra cost to you.