Full-time IT job pays me $800, but freelance makes me rich – VnExpress International

At 23, I work in IT, having built my career from the ground up. My mother only covered my first semester’s tuition; after that, I supported myself through part-time jobs. By my second year of university, I secured a job at a software company. Since then, I have never believed in working overtime or sacrificing my personal time to benefit an employer.

Two main reasons drive my approach: First, no matter how much extra effort I put in, my salary barely increases. Second, if I want to raise my income quickly, I can take on freelance projects instead.

At my full-time job, I complete tasks efficiently but do not take on additional work. I believe a corporate job, no matter how stable, will not make me wealthy. That is why I leave on time and use my evenings for remote work with a U.S.-based company. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., I earn nearly US$2,000 per month from this job—more than twice my primary salary of VND20 million (US$782). Because of this, I have no fear of losing my main job, as I already have financial security.

With a total monthly income of around VND65 million, I enjoy financial stability. While I have the energy and capacity, I want to maximize my earnings and build passive income streams.

Beyond my two main jobs, I also study, write, and develop software. Since university, I have sold several self-created software products, earning a significant amount. This has allowed me to buy my own home and set aside funds for investment.

In my view, blindly dedicating oneself to a company only enriches the employer. Even with 100% effort, salary increases are minimal. Meanwhile, job security declines over time. Diversifying income sources is a smarter strategy—it can double or triple earnings and provide a financial cushion in case of job loss.