If the last eighteen months have taught us anything, it’s that we can’t rely on what we once took for granted.

We can’t be sure our jobs will even exist next year.

We can’t be sure that home prices will always rise.

We can’t be sure that our retirement nest egg will continue to grow.

We can’t be sure that our company retirement fund won’t be swallowed up by fraud or bankruptcy.

Our parents could be pretty sure about all these things. But we can’t. And our children won’t be able to either.

This is another reason why the second income I make with my money-making website, CoffeeDetective.com, is so valuable to me.

It’s safe and reliable.

Over the last eighteen months the number of visitors to my site has more than doubled, as has the income. The economic downturn hasn’t impacted it at all. Unless, of course, my site traffic would have quadrupled over the last eighteen months, without the downturn. But 100% growth is OK by me at a time when other investments and assets are spiraling down in value.

This second income also gives me a strong feeling of independence.

The more I grow my site and its income, the less I have to worry about shenanigans on Wall Street. I feel in control. My future wealth is not in the hands of people I don’t know, or economic circumstances I can’t predict or control.

And both my risk and opportunity are spread wide and far. If one person decides not to click on an AdSense ad on my site, another person will. If someone in Connecticut  chooses not to buy a coffee maker through one of my affiliate links, someone in Colorado will. It’s like the ultimate, global mutual fund.

And while I might worry about what income I’ll achieve with my consulting or coaching business this month, I won’t worry about the income from my own website. Plus or minus a few percentage points, it’s always there. And consistently growing.

If there is another source of income more reliable and safe as this one, I have yet to find it.

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