I've interviewed dozens of FIRE investors who focus on earning more, and learned the easiest side hustle is often the most time-consuming

After interviewing dozens of financially independent investors, the author has learned that the quickest path to financial independence is to focus on earning. Courtesy of Kathleen Elkins I've interviewed dozens of financially independent individuals. Many of them focus on earning. Inspired by the people I write about, I've experimented with a few side hustles. While the time-for-money hustles are reliable, they're not the most scalable. After interviewing dozens of financially independent investors over the past five years, I'm convinced that one of the fastest ways to buy yourself more freedom — whether that means retiring early or simply gaining the option to stop working — is not to skimp out on coffee while meticulously tracking every dollar. It is to make more money.