Financial Basics for Seasonal Workers
Yes, you can build wealth - even if your job ends in October.
Seasonal workers, guides, lifties, instructors, and nomads: you're not excluded from financial independence. You just need a different path. With a little planning, you can save for shoulder seasons, buy land, retire early, or take that three-month trip to South America. This guide is intended to give you the most basic overview - so that you, too, can thrive, not just survive as an outdoor recreation worker.
This guide is designed to give you tools and ideas to build a financial foundation, whether you work in Taos, Denali, Moab, Jackson, or somewhere in between…
If you want additional support, CONTACT US to set up a Seasonal Worker Life Consultation - we can help define your goals and make sure you are working toward your dream life.
STEP 1: Set Your Goals - Braindump & categorize
Think about how money supports your lifestyle, not the other way around. Do a goal brain dump - why do you need and want money over the short-term and long-term? Your goals might include:
Surviving the shoulder season without stress
Taking a trip between gigs
Saving for a sprinter van or down payment
Investing so your money makes money
Building retirement savings even if you don’t have a “traditional job”
After your goals braindump, start breaking them down:
Short-Term (1–6 months): rent, groceries, travel, gear upgrades
Mid-Term (6 months–3 years): van, certifications, shoulder season savings
Long-Term (3+ years): land, home, retirement, a sabbatical
STEP 2: Open the Right Accounts
You don’t need a financial advisor to start. You just need awareness and the right tools. Remember, something is better than nothing - and nothing is permanent anyway.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Purpose
Account Type
Why It Matters
Retirement
Roth IRA
Tax-free growth. You can’t withdraw until 59½ without penalty...
Growth Savings
Brokerage Account
Invest in stocks/ETFs to grow money over time. No tax perks, but no withdrawal restrictions.
Emergency Fund
High-Yield Savings
3–6 months of living expenses. Keep this accessible. Ally, SoFi, and Marcus are good options.
Daily Spending
Checking Account
Where your paycheck lands and bills are paid.
Micro-Saving or "Fun Money"
Cash App or Sub-Savings
For short-term savings or splurges (like an avalanche course or Patagonia sale).
Tools like Robinhood, Fidelity, or Vanguard work well for IRAs and investing. Robinhood in particular helps to gamify and set goals. Chime or Ally work for savings and checking.
STEP 3: Automate Everything
You don’t need to budget if you automate your priorities first.
Set up automatic transfers: when your paycheck lands, route $20 to emergency savings, $50 to your Roth IRA, etc.
Even $5/week adds up.
Use an investment calculator (like Investor.gov) to see how small amounts grow.
Outdoor Worker Example: Put 15% of your weekly guiding income into a Roth IRA. In 10 years, you could have $30–50k growing tax-free.
STEP 4: Actually Invest Your Money
Opening the account isn’t enough—you have to invest the money to get growth.
Know Your Tools:
Stocks: High risk, high potential reward (individual companies like Apple or REI)
ETFs: Lower risk, diversified (like SPY, VOO, or QQQ)
Mutual Funds: Often higher fees, but some people like active management
How to Start:
If you’re unsure, start with ETFs like:
SPY (S&P 500)
VTI (total US market)
FIW (clean water, for eco-conscious investing)
Use auto-investing features in Robinhood, Fidelity, or Betterment
Reinvest dividends and don’t panic when the market dips—this is long game stuff
STEP 5: Track and Reflect (Once a Month)
Once a month:
Check your balances
Celebrate the growth (even $10 counts!)
Adjust if you need to (e.g., save more when work is good)
Don’t touch retirement funds unless you have to
BONUS: Shoulder Season Survival Strategy
Most seasonal workers fall into financial stress because of cash flow gaps.
Here’s how to avoid it:
Season
Action
Peak Season
Save 20–30% of every paycheck
Shoulder Season
Cut expenses, tap your savings—not your future
Winter/Summer
Plan your next gig early and refill savings