My dad always told me that it never hurts to have multiple streams of income, especially in an economy where joblessness is at unprecedented levels and it's getting harder to make a living. He also said, "work smart, not hard." Think of various ways to earn an income, whether it be through purchasing company stock, investing in real estate, embarking on a freelance writing career, or even teaching English online to ESL learners. The rise of technology has allowed people to be inventive and creative in monetizing their hobbies, interests and talents. I know it's cliche but it's truth spans the test of time: "never put all your eggs in one basket."