BiggerPockets Money Podcast · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
The discussion touches on the challenge of variable income in sales careers when pursuing financial independence. While sales offers unlimited earning potential, the commission-based structure can be problematic for long-term FI planning.
“And I think another element that lends itself really well to financial independence, if you're in that sales world, an area that I agree with you, Andy, is that the variability could prove to be a problem.”
“When you're pursuing financial independence, sometimes you're making 10, 15 year plans, right? Where I'm going to invest X each year or each month. In a place like sales, potentially real estate, it could be difficult if the market moves in a way that you don't expect. And then you don't have that commission you were counting on.”
“And I think there is a real concern about variable income and that is the variable income that comes with sales. And the way to combat that is, okay, this month I made my base salary and that's it. But I know next month I'm going to have a huge month. You don't spend everything that's left over.”