My second job isn't one

The economic situation is particularly difficult at the moment. In a way, I can say that I am lucky to have a full-time job, even if I work between 50 and 55 hours a week. For someone who wants to become financially independent at a young age, diversifying sources of income is essential. However, I have neither the time nor the desire to work yet another job, with another employer. That is why I can count on a second source of income that is completely passive, and which will one day I hope will exceed the salary I receive from my main job.

In 2011, I earned an average of 140 CHF per month. It is still modest, but I did it without working almost a minute. How is that possible? Dividends are like a invisible friend. Whether I work or not, the companies I invest in will continue to pay me, and the money will appear in my brokerage account. By investing in quality stocks that pay growing dividends, I can take advantage of the power of these companies to provide me with income that grows over time.

Keep in mind that this type of investing is not completely passive, however. It takes time and effort to research the right companies, keep an eye on your portfolio, and consistently buy quality companies. But once your portfolio is set up, it requires minimal time to monitor dividends. You should be able to make thousands of dollars per month with very little time spent working on it.

Think of this portfolio as a farm. You plant seeds in the spring (your youth) and harvest dividends in the fall (when you are older). I plant as many seeds as I can now so that my dividend harvest is as large and diverse as possible later in life. That way, when a storm passes (dividend cuts), I can rely on other crops (companies) to keep my farm healthy!

 Inspired by http://www.thediv-net.com/2012/12/my-second-job-isnt-job-at-all.html