This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.

1 Don’t Spend Your Paycheck Where You Work

My co-workers frequently leveraged the discount to buy stuff at super-discounted rates, but it’s pointless when you’re making around minimum wage. Why waste your money when you’re barely getting any in the first place?

Lesson 1

Don’t spend your paycheck on products from your employer. You’re then working for free, and that’s not cool.

What did I do with my paychecks? Save and invest.

Lesson 2

If you’re not making top dollar in retail or fast food, don’t spend much of your paycheck. And if you are making top dollar, still don’t spend much of your paycheck.

Instead, focus on saving and investing and increasing your income.

Lesson 3

Live way below your means.

When I was working in retail, I thankfully didn’t have too many bills because I was in high school and college.

Plenty of retail and fast food positions pay, but most don’t. If you’re in a position that doesn’t pay lucratively, focus on living below your means, cutting your expenses, and not adding unnecessary expenses.

Lesson 4

If you don’t want to work your way up in the fast food or retail businesses, start planning your exit.

There is not much room for growth in these positions unless you move into management, which means pay is likely to be low and stay low.

Lesson 5

Stay humble and learn.

I was still running my business and working higher-paying jobs while I was working in retail and fast food. I cleaned bathrooms, worked in the kitchen, did backstock, and did all the jobs nobody wanted to do, but it helped me learn humility. Moreover, it helped me always remember where I came from and maintain empathy for those in these service-oriented roles.

Lesson 6

Learn how to manage a smaller salary. You may not be earning the most, but you’re still earning. If you can master managing this amount, you can master earning more.

While working these jobs, I earned minimum wage, but I was still saving and living within my means, which helped me learn how to be a good steward of small amounts. My habits carried over as my income increased.
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This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.