Advice for security guards on the rise
Tips, Tools & Tactics July 2025 Vol 1
Save While You Serve
Security guard salaries don’t make it easy to save money. But you don’t have to make a fortune to start saving. By putting away as little as $10 per shift, you can quickly amass a respectable emergency fund that can help you cover whatever life throws at you.
For guards working five shifts weekly, your $10 investment equals $200 per month. At the end of the year, you’ll have $2,400 in that account—and possibly more if you save into an account that pays interest.
You likely won’t even notice those small amounts, and it won’t drastically change your lifestyle. Best of all, you can automate the whole process through your bank.
Here’s how to do it:
· Open a separate savings account. Ideally, you’ll want one with no debit card access, so you’re not tempted to dip into it.
· Set up automatic transfers to come out daily or when your paycheck is deposited.
· Choose an amount you’re comfortable with. $10 is just a suggestion.
In just a few months, you’ll have a cushion for things like car repairs, medical bills, or guard training courses to raise your value and earning power.
Remember – it’s not about how much you make; it’s about how consistently you save. Start small, stick with it, and watch your savings grow.
Get Paid to Protect—and Protect Your Pay Too: Budgeting Tips for Guards
Security guards know the pain of inconsistent paychecks resulting from on-call shifts and variable working hours. Creating a simple monthly budget can help you take control of your money, even when your income isn’t predictable. And of course—there are apps for that!
Start by making a list of all your regular, variable, and discretionary expenses. For each item, set a monthly (or daily) limit.
Next, you’re going to research a few apps to see which one will work best for you. Most offer free plans with basic features. Here are a few we like:
Once you’ve got your budget set up in the app, you’ll set limits on each category. We recommend reviewing your budget frequently for the first little while to ensure it aligns with reality. You might also want to adjust your budget if you know you won’t be working much over a specific time period.
Most guards will find this process simple. After all, part of your job is discipline, documentation, and attention to detail, so applying that mindset to budgeting should be a no-brainer. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to say goodbye to living paycheck-to-paycheck!
Night Shift, Bright Future: Best Side-Hustles for Night Guards
Working the night shift can be tough on both body and mind, which can be challenging for highly motivated guards. It’s also an opportunity.
Night security shifts often have lots of downtime, so why not turn those quiet hours into productive ones?
Use those idle hours (as your duties allow) for side hustles, like online surveys, freelance writing, proofreading, or learning new skills through free apps or YouTube.
Taking courses to learn Excel or basic coding can open doors to lucrative part-time work. Online courses can help you prep for a trade certification or advance your guard skills to qualify for higher-paid positions. Niche guard training can help you segue into a career in cybersecurity, management roles, or prepare you for a job in law enforcement.
Always treat your time as an asset. Instead of just passing the hours, use them to build your knowledge and income streams. Night shifts may make you feel like life is in slow motion, but with a little focus and motivation, it can become a springboard to greater things.
Uniform Ready, Retirement-Ready Too!
Guards put on their uniforms every day, preparing to serve and protect. But who’s protecting you at the end of your career? Security guard positions often don’t come with a 401(k) plan, especially for casual or part-time workers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take control of your financial future.
A Roth IRA is a tax-deferred retirement account you can open on your own through companies like Fidelity, Vanguard, or Charles Schwab. Putting as little as $20 a week into the account will help you save for your future, and it’s never too late to start. Over time, you may want to increase your contributions.
With a Roth IRA, your money grows tax-free. You won’t have to worry about paying income tax on the money in the account until you start to withdraw it. You’ll also reduce your taxable income by the amount you contribute, so you’ll pay less taxes now.
Think of it as a backup plan for when you’re no longer patrolling. Future you will be glad you started when you did.
Fuel Up and Spend Smarter: How Home-Packed Work Meals Help Guards Save
Long shifts can wreak havoc on a guard’s body and their bank accounts! Fast food for meals most days and vending machine snacks when hunger (or boredom) strikes add up quickly. While the expense might seem inconsequential at the time, even $12 a day ends up being $240 monthly, and you’re not getting the nutrition you need to fuel a strong body.
Packing meals, snacks, and drinks from home saves you money, and it can also help you eat healthier. Healthy foods keep you energized throughout your shift and may help to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and inflammation.
Meals don’t have to be fancy or challenging to prepare. Simple dishes like rice and beans, pasta, salads, or sandwiches ensure you won’t go hungry and can keep your money in your pocket.
Take a couple of hours on your day off to do some meal prep.
Buy healthy snacks in bulk and divide them into portions.
Portion your daily meals and snacks into reusable containers that are ready to grab and go.
Invest in a quality lunch bag and a reusable water bottle.
Think about all the money you’ll save! What you spend it on is up to you.
