5 Smart Employment Options
When You’re Drowning in Debt
The employment landscape has shifted, and there are opportunities that simply didn’t exist a decade ago. If you’re in debt, your friends might suggest the usual “get a second job” advice. But this shifted employment landscapes means your reality can be more nuanced. Certain types of work offer unique advantages when you’re battling debt — from flexible schedules that let you maximize earning potential, to career paths that provide rapid skill development and income growth.
Most people approach debt like it’s a math problem: earn X, spend less than X, apply difference to debt. But debt is actually a time problem. The longer it takes to eliminate, the more interest compounds against you. This is where strategic employment becomes your new center of gravity.
Traditional employment advice focuses on stability and benefits. Yep, that makes total sense for wealth building. But when you’re in debt recovery mode, you need different priorities: income potential, flexibility, and skill development that translates to higher earning power. The employment options below give you exactly that.
1. Freelance Consulting in Your Expert Area
Got some professional experience? It could be in any field — marketing, finance, project management…even restaurant operations, CRM systems, or procurement tactics. Freelance consulting might be your fastest route to smashing your debts. The beauty of consulting is all about the pricing structure. You’re not selling hours, you’re selling expertise. Ker-ching.
How it helps with debt: Consulting often pays 2-3 times your previous hourly rate. THAT’S because clients pay for results, not time. A marketing professional earning $25/hour as an employee might charge $75-150/hour as a consultant. This income multiplication effect can super-charge your debt payoff timeline.
Getting started: Document your professional wins and the specific problems you’ve solved. Create profiles on platforms like Upwork or LinkedIn ProFinder. And also reach out directly to former colleagues and industry contacts. Many consulting opportunities come through warm referrals rather than job boards.
The debt advantage: Consulting income is often project-based, meaning you can take on additional projects during debt-payoff mode, then scale back once you’re financially stable. Also, wage garnishment can be more difficult on self employed income – stop wage garnishment Ontario has more information on this.
2. Sales Roles with Uncapped Commission
Sales gets a bad reputation, but it’s one of the few career paths where your income directly correlates with your effort and skill development. For debt elimination, sales roles offer something most jobs don’t: unlimited earning potential.
How it helps with debt: Salary caps are demotivating and too predictable when you want to make progress with debt. Commission-based sales roles reward performance with proportional income increases. A LOT of successful salespeople earn six figures within two years. And that’s regardless of their educational background.
Choosing the right sales role: Look for industries with high-value products or services. Think technology, real estate, medical devices, or business services. These sectors typically offer higher commissions and better long-term career prospects…a.k.a. you’ll be going places faster.
The debt advantage: Sales roles often provide immediate feedback on your performance through commission checks. So you’ll see that direct link between your debt-elimination goals and daily work activities straight up, no messing.
3. Remote Customer Success or Support Roles
The remote work revolution has created a goldmine for debt elimination: high-paying customer support and success roles that don’t require advanced degrees or extensive experience. These positions often offer better work-life balance than traditional office jobs while providing competitive salaries.
How it helps with debt: Remote customer success roles typically pay $40,000-70,000 annually, with many companies offering performance bonuses. The remote aspect eliminates commuting costs and often allows for more flexible scheduling, enabling you to pursue additional income streams.
Skills that transfer: Customer success roles develop valuable skills in communication, problem-solving, and relationship management — all highly transferable to higher-paying positions. Many customer success professionals transition into sales, account management, or consulting roles within 12-18 months.
The debt advantage: Remote work often allows you to relocate to lower-cost areas while maintaining your salary, effectively increasing your debt-payment capacity. Additionally, the flexible scheduling can accommodate side projects or additional part-time work.
4. Skilled Trade Apprenticeships
While everyone rushes toward college degrees and white-collar careers, skilled trades face massive worker shortages. This supply-demand imbalance creates exceptional opportunities for motivated individuals willing to learn.
How it helps with debt: Many apprenticeship programs pay you while you learn, starting at $15-20/hour and increasing rapidly with experience. Journeymen in trades like electrical work, plumbing, or HVAC often earn $60,000-100,000+ annually. Even better, many trades offer overtime opportunities that can significantly boost income during debt-payoff periods.
Long-term financial benefits: Skilled trades often lead to entrepreneurship opportunities. Many successful contractors started as apprentices and eventually built substantial businesses.
The debt advantage: Trade skills are location-independent and recession-resistant. Even if economic conditions change, people always need plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians.
5. Gig Economy with Strategic Focus
The gig economy gets dismissed as “just side hustles,” but approached strategically, it can provide substantial income while building valuable skills and networks. The key is choosing gigs that align with your long-term career goals rather than just grabbing whatever’s available.
How it helps with debt: Gig work offers ultimate flexibility — you can scale up during debt-elimination mode and scale back once you’re stable. Many gig workers earn $20-50+/hour depending on their chosen niche. The immediate payment structure (often weekly or bi-weekly) also helps with cash flow management.
Strategic gig selection: Focus on gigs that build skills or networks. If you’re interested in marketing, try social media management gigs. If you want to transition to consulting, offer project-based services in your expertise area. Avoid purely transactional gigs like basic delivery driving unless you’re using the flexible schedule to pursue other opportunities.
The debt advantage: Gig income is often tax-advantaged through business deductions for vehicle use, equipment, and home office space. Additionally, successful gig workers often transition to full-time clients or use their gig experience to launch consulting businesses.
Debt elimination employment doesn’t have to be permanent. Once you’ve eliminated your debt, you can transition to more traditional employment focused on long-term career building and benefits.
