Dear Vice Column,
I work a high-paying job in finance, but I'm feeling unfulfilled and want to pursue my dream of becoming a musician. I'm worried about the financial implications of quitting my job, and I need advice on how to make a smooth transition. My guilty pleasure is buying vintage clowns, and I have a collection worth over $10,000. Am I weird?
- Clown-Collecting Finance Worker
Dear Clown-Collecting Finance Worker, Everyone has their own unique interests and hobbies, and it's important to embrace them. However, I understand that your main concern is how to pursue your dream of becoming a musician while still being financially responsible. So do you really need to be spending more on clowns right now?
It takes a lot of courage to break away from a secure, high-paying job to pursue something that might not have as clear of a financial path. But life is too short to not pursue what makes us happy.
Before you take any drastic measures, consider starting your music career as a side hustle before quitting your finance job entirely. This will give you a chance to explore your passion while still maintaining a steady income. Look for opportunities to perform at local bars or coffee shops and start building a following. You can also start building an online presence by creating a YouTube channel or social media accounts to showcase your talent.
Create a budget and figure out how much money you need to cover your living expenses while pursuing your music career. Work at building an emergency fund to keep you afloat if you won't be generating any income aside from your music gigs. Maybe you could start a side hustle offering financial advice or start a niche blog about clowns?
With careful planning and budgeting, you can hopefully make a smoother transition to becoming a musician without sacrificing your financial stability or resorting to selling your clown collection. Break a leg!