The Dangers of the 9-5 Career Path
And an alternative way to build wealth and financial freedom now
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Let’s be honest:
We’ve all heard the same advice growing up.
“Go to college.”
“Work hard.”
“Climb the ladder.”
“Max out your 401(k).”
“Retire at 65.”
Then what?
You’re finally “free” — when your knees hurt, your kids are grown, and you’re wondering where the hell the last 40 years went.
That path never made sense to me.
I dropped out of college with 12 credits left and started pouring concrete in my home town in North Dakota. Built a construction company. Used that income to buy my first property. Then another. Then another.
Now I run a $30M+ portfolio of businesses (MAK Construction, Property Management, MAK Drilling) and own a $60M+ real estate portfolio.
I’m 36. I don’t wait for permission to take a vacation. I work to build more wealth for my kids and their kids— not because I have to pay my bills with a bi-weekly paycheck.
This isn’t a flex.
It’s proof there’s another way if you are someone who is sick of trading time for money, feeling burned out in your job, and looking for an uncommon path for freedom in life.
Let’s break down why the traditional career path is broken — and what you can do instead.
1. The Myth of Job Security
You work hard. You’re loyal. You hit your targets.
But one bad quarter and your boss is reading from a script in HR, telling you your position has been “eliminated.”
I’ve seen this happen too many times — even to top performers.
Your job is a single point of failure. One paycheck. One decision-maker. No control.
That’s why I started investing in income-producing real estate properties as early as I could. My first few property purchases covered my living expenses. That gave me leverage — and options.
2. The High Cost of Trading Time for Money
Most people spend the best years of their life grinding through 60-hour weeks to buy “freedom” in their 60s.
But at what cost?
Burnout. Missed memories. A life on hold.
I’ve been there. Working sunup to sundown doing manual labor. But once I owned assets that paid me monthly, my financial situation changed. I still work hard — but now my money works harder.
Real estate is a time machine.
It doesn’t just give you money. It gives you time — when it actually matters.
3. The 401(k) Illusion
We’re told it’s the responsible thing to do.
Set it. Forget it. Let the 401(k) and stock market grow.
But no one talks about the downside.
You can’t touch it for decades. It’s subject to inflation, volatility, and Wall Street fees. And when you finally need the money, you’ll be taxed like crazy to access it.
Real estate gave me something better:
✔ Cash flow today
✔ Equity over time
✔ Tax advantages every year
I’ve refinanced deals, pulled out six figures tax-free, and still owned the asset. Try doing that with your 401(k).
4. The Corporate Ladder Isn’t What It Seems
I know people earning $300K who are trapped.
Great “VP” job title. Nice car. Nice house. No time.
They’re stressed, overworked, and stuck in a lifestyle that’s too expensive to walk away from.
That’s not freedom. That’s a treadmill that keeps you attached to a paycheck.
If you’re making good money — amazing.
But use it to buy assets, not liabilities.
Every dollar you invest in something that pays you back is a step toward freedom.
What I’d Do If I Started Over Today
If I lost everything tomorrow, here’s what I’d do — and what I recommend to anyone who wants to exit the 9-5 path:
Pick a skill that pays today. Trade, sales, contracting — something real.
Live lean. Save 30-50% of your income.
Buy one simple property. A duplex. A small commercial unit. Something that cash flows from day one.
Stack and repeat. Reinvest profits. Refinance when you can. Hold long-term.
Let time and leverage do their job. The more boring your system, the better it works.
No shortcuts. Just ownership, leverage, and consistency.
Don’t wait to start. Start today.
The system isn’t just flawed — it’s working exactly as designed.
To keep you comfortable. Dependent. Busy.
But you don’t have to follow that path.
You can own your time, build real wealth, and live life on your terms.
Not someday. Starting now.
It starts with one asset.
One decision.
One step off the treadmill.
That’s all for today. See you next Saturday!
Marc Kuhn
P.S. Want to accelerate your path to financial freedom?
Here are 3 ways to go deeper:
👉 Download the free guide – “21 Ways to Build Wealth with Real Estate”
A tactical breakdown of the exact principles I used to go from pouring concrete to building a $60M+ real estate portfolio.
👉 Join the course – “Financial Freedom with Real Estate”
A step-by-step blueprint for building passive income, acquiring your first (or next) rental property, and escaping the paycheck treadmill.
👉 Apply for 1:1 coaching – Work with me 1:1 to start building wealth with real estate
If you're serious about buying back your time and want guidance from someone who's done it, let’s work together.