I lost $180,000 in Wall Street retirement savings. Now, I drive Uber and Lyft 75 hours a week.

Mercedes was the favored car. Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bill Lewis worked on Wall Street for more than 20 years but was laid off in 2013. After the layoff, he went into business for himself and invested his 401(k) into a franchise. The franchise failed after four years, and he's been driving for Uber and Lyft ever since. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bill Lewis, 58, an Uber and Lyft driver who lives in the Poconos and has completed about 43,000 trips. He previously worked on Wall Street and owned a Nestlé Toll House franchise. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I'm 58 and working harder than I ever have. I drive for Uber and Lyft seven days a week, about 75 hours in total. I didn't expect to be in this position.