- Richard Lambert is a resume writer who gets most of his work on Fiverr.
- He charges about $85 for a basic resume and has earned more than $1 million annually since 2020.
- His house and vacation property are paid off, but he works every day.
This like tell-to-essay is based on a conversation with Richard Lambertowner of Lambert CV. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I grew up in a middle class family in a small town. When my mother opened a savings account for me at a local bank, I loved watching my savings add up in my passbook.
I started asking very practical questions, like how much a front door costs. I was shocked at how expensive things were compared to what was in my savings account. It gave me a sense, even as a child, that I had to buckle down and keep my nose to the grindstone.
my father didn’t teach me much about financebut he always taught me to just show up for work. I certainly did. I haven’t had a day off since 2016.
I started writing resumes on the website Fiverr back in 2014, asking around $45 each. Today I charge about $85 for a basic CV and more for other services such as cover letters. As I did more work, the algorithm rewarded me, especially after I got over 25,000 five-star reviews. In 2022 I made $1.1 million writing resumes. Now, as I approach 40, I am a multi-millionaire with two mortgages paid off.
I paid off my house, although I could have invested more
Even before I started making seven figures, Fiverr impacted my life. By 2020 I was a millionaire. Although I hate to say it, the pandemic has been really good for my business. My net worth has only increased since then, but I still think of myself as a baby millionaire.
In 2017 my wife and I were in a near fatal motorcycle accident. I was worried about what would happen to my wife and daughter – who is now 6 – if I died. Although my wife also works, I feel a strong urge to provide for my family financially. So much falls on mothers when it comes to caregiving, so as a father I think, “If I’m not providing financially, what am I doing?”
After the accident, my wife and I decided to pay off our house. Then, mortgage rates were lowand I probably could have made more money by investing in the market. One of my rich friends kept reminding me of that. But I liked the peace of mind of knowing that if something happened to me, or this income stream suddenly disappeared, my wife and daughter wouldn’t have to move.
I made a deal with the devil
Work-life balance just doesn’t exist for me. I made a deal with the devil: I have a great income, but I have to work every day. I haven’t had a day off since 2016, including when I was in the intensive care unit after that motorcycle accident. That’s the nature of this business. You have to respond to customers.
At the same time, I have some flexibility. I don’t have set hours so I can pick up my daughter from school. I am at every game or school performance she has. But I constantly work outside those times.
I am willing to spend on my family
I am conservative with how I spend my money. A large portion goes into retirement accounts. I bought two rental properties but sold them (for a small profit) after the motorcycle accident. I found that being a landlord wasn’t really passive income.
I drive a 20 year old Lexus. I bought it because I like its vintage appeal and because it gives me a little fun.
I am willing to spend money on some things, mostly on my family. My wife drives a new Volvo XC-90, and I love knowing she and our daughter are safe in it. Last summer we bought a small lake house in my hometown. We had a short mortgage, but we paid it off in three months.
I’m not flashy, but I value real connection with my small circle of friends and family. I love summers at the lake with my daughter, tubing, boating and spending time together. We have a Jet Ski coming for next summer. Summer at the lake was not something I was afforded as a child, and I’m glad I can give it to her. The memories we made there are already priceless.