There are many ways to use your military service to set yourself up for the future, the Marine Content Creator is an exceptional example. Please read along and hear the enlisted success story of the Marine Content Creator.
I actually ran across him on Instagram and reached out to see if I could share his awesome story. He agreed and ended up submitting his own success story. This is the first ever Enlisted Success story submission and I’m really excited to share it with you!
The Marine Content Creator
I am an active duty marine and a content creator. Upon return from my second deployment, I found that I wasn’t appreciative for my circumstances. Interacting with the refugees from the bombing of Kabul, Afghanistan humbled me, and I wanted to build a platform that reflected my appreciation.
Turning Content into Cash
I began posting on TikTok and Instagram, showcasing the day-to-day experiences of Marines around me, myself, and discussions based around utilizing benefits afforded to service members. At around the 6-month mark of me posting I had monetized my platforms. Two months after that I began to out-earn monthly what the Marine Corps paid me.
Where You Start Isn’t Where You Finish
I’ve always been less financially literate than those in my age group, as I come from a household that didn’t understand the concept of money. Content creation, however, has given me the tools necessary to create wealth for myself and generations to come.
***Break***
Enlisted Money Response
Wow! I love how you used a newfound perspective from your deployments to motivate you to express your appreciation and gratitude. Deploying to Afghanistan was also a very humbling and eye-opening experience for me.
I know all those refugees you helped will never forget you. No matter what, you made a difference in their lives and you should be very proud of that – I know I am.
A Quick Note on Afghanistan
For anyone who isn’t aware, Afghanistan is generally one of the poorest countries in the world. Our involvement during the war with the Taliban there did have a somewhat positive effect on the economy in Afghanistan, but this was mainly due to the services needed to run the war and our humanitarian assistance.
Now that we’ve pulled out of Afghanistan, I’m afraid conditions will continue to deteriorate. It makes me sad to think about it. I’m proud of our service because I know we did help some people and hold back evil forces for a long time.
However, I’m not interested in the politics of it. I just know I’m better for having served. Now back to this awesome Marine’s story.
Doing Lots of Great Things
I really want to highlight how the Marine Content Creator started a side hustle, began investing in his education, and has started investing his money. This is kind of a three-pronged attack: current income, future earning potential, and compound growth.
I learned some of these things from his Instagram Reels and Stories. You can check out his content by following him on Instagram @knuckledraggerz.
Increasing Current Earnings
First, starting a side hustle in the military can be a grind all on its own. I’ve worked a second job most of the time I’ve been in the Army. Just make sure you get proper command approval and follow all the rules in the Joint Ethics Regulations.
If you’re single, having a second job can be a great way to earn extra cash and meet new people outside the military. Most of the best friends I’ve made over the years have been from my side jobs and side hustles. Who knows, maybe you’ll bump into that “special someone” you’ve been looking for.
Working on Education
I know he didn’t mention it in his story, but he did mention going to college on social media. This is a fantastic way to use the benefits the military gives you and increase your earning potential! Having a degree increases the jobs available to you and commands a higher salary inside and outside the military.
Even if you only take one class at a time like I did, you’ll eventually get your degree finished. Regardless, investing in your education is a great long-term plan!
Investing for the Future
What I find even more amazing is what the Marine Content Creator is doing with his money he’s making. He’s investing in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), contributing to a Roth IRA, saving in a high-yield savings account, and investing in an “aggressive ETF portfolio” which I’m guessing is a regular (taxable) brokerage account.
This means he’s getting the full match from their TSP (free money), maxing a Roth IRA, and saving up to purchase investment real estate. In other words, he’s making his money to work for him – not the other way around.
Putting Your Money to Work for You
Getting your money to start earning more money than you can be a real turning point in your investing journey. At some point, this Marine’s money will be making more money for him than he can earn in his job (just like he’s doing with his side hustle). You can do this too!
The name of the game is to stop working for money and let your money do all the work for you instead. That’s what investing is all about – earning money while you’re sleeping or relaxing on the beach. Each dollar invested will continue to grow and reinvest and grow even more.
Where You Start Isn’t Where You Have to End
I just wanted to end on a note about taking action and controlling your own destiny. This Marine could easily spend all his money on temporary pleasures like vehicles. He could also just accept that he didn’t grow up with money and not do anything about it – he decided to dream instead.
I can empathize because my story started similarly. I didn’t really learn to manage money growing up. I knew how to hustle and make extra money, but it fell through my hands faster than I could make it. Eventually, we all get to make a choice about where we want to go in life.
Money is Only a Tool
At the end of the day, money is just a tool. How you use it is what makes the difference. This young Marine decided to earn, save, and invest more despite the circumstances he grew up in.
I’m truly inspired by the Marine Content Creator, and I hope you are too. I wish this Marine the absolute best of luck on his financial journey!
If you want to learn more about the Marine Content Creator, you can follow him on Instagram (@knuckledraggerz), TikTok (@kdraggerz) or go to his website.