What If You Can’t Shake or Stir? Protect Yourself
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: what happens when your body gives out before your spirit does?
In hospitality, we’re on our feet for hours, lifting cases, dodging drunk customers—our bodies are literally our paycheck.
But here’s the kicker: most of us have zero backup plan for when we can’t work. No traditional benefits doesn’t mean no options. It just means you’ve got to be smarter about protecting yourself.
Your Emergency Fund Is Hiding in Plain Sight
Think about last Saturday night. You went out after your shift, bought three rounds for the crew, tipped your bartender friend $20 on a $15 tab, and grabbed late-night food. Sound familiar? Here’s the math: Say you do this twice a week, spending $80 each time. That’s $160 weekly, or about $8,300 a year. Cut that in half—go out once instead of twice, tip 20% instead of 50%—and boom, you’ve got $4,150 for emergencies.
I’m not saying become a hermit, but future-you might appreciate having rent money when you’re nursing a bad back instead of another hangover.
Get Basic Coverage Through the Marketplace
No employer benefits? The Health Insurance Marketplace isn’t just for health insurance anymore. You can find basic life and disability coverage that won’t break the bank. Disability insurance replaces your income if you can’t work due to injury or illness. Even a basic policy that covers 60% of your income beats zero when you’re laid up for months. Life insurance isn’t just for parents—it can cover your debts and final expenses so your family isn’t stuck with the bill.
Simple Policies, Big Protection
You don’t need corporate benefits to get covered. Independent agents can set you up with simple term life insurance or basic disability coverage. Shop around, compare rates, and pick something you can actually afford to keep.
Remember: the best insurance policy is the one you’ll actually pay for consistently.
The Reality Check
Your coworkers might think insurance is boring, but you know what’s really boring? Being broke because you thought nothing bad would happen.
You spend money protecting your car, your phone, your apartment—why not protect the thing that pays for all of it? Your ability to work is your most valuable asset. Don’t wait until you’re hurt to realize you needed protection yesterday.
The Savvy Bartender
Turn your craft into career growth and a secure financial future with Jonathan Turner, our expert bartender in savings, side hustles, and smart strategies to help you plan your next pour.
Jonathan Turner spent over 20 years mastering the hospitality industry from the ground up. From washing dishes in the back to leading operations as GM and Food & Beverage Director, he’s experienced every level of the business. After building a successful career in hospitality, Jonathan made a strategic transition into financial services as an Independent Life Insurance Agent and hospitality consultant, discovering that his relationship-building and problem-solving skills translated perfectly into helping others build financial security.
Now Jonathan uses his insider knowledge to help hospitality workers overcome the unique financial challenges of irregular income, lack of traditional benefits, and industry lifestyle demands. His mission is simple: show hospitality workers that they don’t need corporate benefits or a 9-to-5 job to build real wealth. Having walked every step of the hospitality path himself, he speaks the language, understands the challenges, and knows exactly what it takes to build lasting financial freedom. He’s not your typical financial advisor—he’s someone who’s been where you are and successfully built the financial life you want
The post What If You Can’t Shake or Stir? Protect Yourself appeared first on Chilled Magazine.