I Got Laid Off... Now I Make $11,000 a Month Doing Whatever I Want

He earns $3,900 per month from two rental properties (Property 1: $2,100, Property 2: $1,800). Property 1 is almost completely passive income via a management company, while Property 2 requires 2-3 hours of management per month.

He receives approximately $1,500 per month in dividends from broad-based investments like S&P 500 index funds; previously, he used a dividend reinvestment program (DRIP) but changed to receiving it as income after being laid off.

He keeps a year's worth of living expenses, including severance pay, in a high-yield savings account, earning approximately $300 per month in completely passive income at an annual interest rate of 3-4%.

Journaling in vlog format, started at his therapist's recommendation, developed into a YouTube channel, generating about $2,800 per month (totaling $3,000 including other platforms) and providing 5-6 hours of social interaction per week for 2-3 hours of production time.

He manages one-on-one coaching sessions via Calendly, earning approximately $1,200 per month for 1-2 hours per week, allowing for high-quality interpersonal interaction and maintaining communication skills.

He earns approximately $1,000 per month from software projects utilizing Agentic AI, including an AI art generation project for Etsy/Amazon that he built in two days, producing 200 assets and generating $700 per month, and the micro SaaS app Funemployment Day.

Totaling all income streams, he earns just under $11,000 per month, which significantly exceeds his household expenses, realizing a lifestyle that feels like a preview of a 'post-labor economy' where he earns income while enjoying hobbies without a traditional 9-5 job.

Immediately after the layoff, he experienced emotions like shock, anger, shame, and depression, but his mental state has now improved to the point where each day is full of possibilities, sometimes feeling almost euphoric.

He recognizes that this early retirement was only possible due to financial independence achieved through years of saving and investing in a high-paying tech job, and acknowledges his fortunate position.

In a 'hyper capitalist economy,' it requires almost no effort to monetize hobbies, a reality where income can be earned from activities he would have done for free anyway.