- Richard Lambert is a résumé writer who gets most of his work on Fiverr.
- He charges about $85 for a basic résumé and has made over $1 million yearly since 2020.
- His home and vacation property are paid off, but he works every day.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Richard Lambert, owner of Lambert Resume. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I grew up in a middle-class family in a small town. When my mom opened a savings account for me at a local bank, I loved watching my savings go up in my passbook.
I started asking very practical questions, like how much a front door cost. I was shocked by how expensive things were compared to what was in my savings account. That gave me a sense, even as a kid, that I needed to buckle down and keep my nose to the grindstone.
My dad didn’t teach me much about finances, but he always taught me to just show up for work. I’ve certainly done that. I haven’t had a day off since 2016.
I started writing résumés on the website Fiverr back in 2014, charging about $45 each. Today I charge about $85 for a basic résumé and more for other services like cover letters. As I did more work, the algorithm rewarded me, especially after I acquired more than 25,000 five-star reviews. In 2022, I grossed $1.1 million by writing résumés. Now, as I approach 40, I’m a multimillionaire with two mortgages paid off.
I paid off my home, although I could have made more investing
Even before I started having seven-figure years, Fiverr was impacting my life. By 2020, I was a millionaire. Although I hate to say it, the pandemic was really good for my business. My net worth has just 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 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 financially for my family. So much falls on mothers when it comes to caregiving, so as a dad, I think, “If I’m not providing financially, what am I doing?”
After the accident, my wife and I decided to pay off our home. At the time, mortgage rates were low, and I could have likely made more money investing in the market. One of my wealthy friends kept reminding me about that. But I liked the peace of mind from knowing that if anything 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 wonderful 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 need to be responsive to customers.
At the same time, I have some flexibility. I don’t have set hours, so I can pick my daughter up from school. I’m at every game or school performance she has. But I’m constantly working outside those times.
I’m willing to spend on my family
I’m conservative with how I spend my money. A huge chunk 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 dose of fun.
I’m willing to spend money on some things, mostly on my family. My wife drives a new Volvo XC-90, and I like knowing she and our daughter are safe in that. Last summer, we bought a small lake house in my hometown. We briefly had a mortgage, but we paid it off within 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 wasn’t something I was afforded as a kid, and I’m glad I can give it to her. Already, the memories we’ve made there are invaluable.
