| | | quote | Originally posted by Khw:
Is being self employed, unemployed? I thought you have been doing odd jobs, kinda like a Handyman? Or atleast your posts such as the welding rig trailor gave me that impression.
If self emplyed is unemployed, then I guess I have been unemployed for almost 3 years now. |
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I really would not say I am self employed, as I have not targeted a particular market segment. I have not filed a DBA (doing business as), I have no business cards, invoices, or bid sheets, etc, and I do not make sales calls. All of which I have done in the past. I pretty much hustle up work, grasping straws so to speak. I find them to be plentiful, or plentiful enough to meet my needs. Although at times it is rough. It definitely is hit and miss.
My bread and butter, per se', has been tree work. Where ever I go for what ever reason, my chain saw comes with me. It is very easy to pick up 40/50 bucks doing minor trimming. Some jobs pay much better. Other good cash cows are wooden fence repair and house painting. All three of the aforementioned prospects are there for the taking. All one has to do is look around themselves as they drive down the road. I can/have done auto repair work, appliance repair, construction clean up, lot clearing, and even mowed yards. I also have a commercial duty steam cleaner/pressure washer and an airless paint sprayer which I have put to work.
I also have sought out contractors. Who might have a project here or there. A temporary job so to speak here and there. I have done road and bridge work, home building, helped install a swimming pool, done a few patio covers, and have had to go out of town to work. I also benefit from my network of friends, family, and associations such as the volunteer fire department at my lake place. All refer me to others who might need something done. I have some work I can do in the Houston area which I will do when our area holds the
Red River Ruckus. It will Pay for my attendance and enjoyment there. I am multi talented and have the tools which would be needed for many things. In fact, were it not for the tools that I have accumulated over the years, I would be in deep doo. I have sold my services at times for much less than they are worth. Just to get a buck. I do what I gotta do. I don't know where my next buck is gonna come from but I am gonna earn it.
I have sold a few things that I did not mind not having. A CJ7 Jeep, a Buick Riviera, my sail boat, etc. I have a 70 Ford SWB P/U and a Fiero for sale. Neither for best offer, I am not in dire straights. I also had a litter of doberman puppies which brought a needed pretty penny (I could have had another by now but prevented the pregnancy). I have picked up broken equipment and appliances, fixed and then sold them. In short, to me, anything, everything, is an opportunity. Many do not pan out. I say that, though I believe that they have not panned out yet. I have a couple of irons in the fire that I am still working.
To be honest, I have also had to dip into my savings and I have ran up my credit liabilities from time to time to make ends meet. I am not getting ahead, that's for sure. But, I have not missed a payment, and as I like to say, or a beer,
. The dogs still get a steak bone from time to time and the wife still runs the A/C 24/7. I am struggling but, I am enjoying every minute of it.
My welding rig, well, I am not knowledgeable or talented enough to make any money off of it yet. But I am gonna learn. I have been around welders most of my life who are the best of the best. Which gave me the insight to assemble a pretty decent set of equipment, tools, and supplies needed to make money. I have been complimented on my set up by those that know. I know that I still need more stuff but I have a very good start. My plans are to take a welding course and at
St Phillips College. The next class starts mid January I am am trying to get it together so I am in it.
In the mean time, I am still working my welding rig. A community neighbor at my lake place is a retired welder. He used to weld submarine for the US Navy. I am building a boat dock from my old mobile home which burnt down. He is happy to assist me. I also have a life long friend who bought 50 acres of raw land. He wants me to weld some fence and gate work (which I can do). Neither will make me any money but the experience is worth it.
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| | | quote | Originally posted by maryjane:
Is your better half employed?
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Yes, she is. She has worked at the State Hospital for 15 years. She started by cleaning toilets and is now an administrative assistant. Before that, she did what she needed to do to raise two fine children, including selling tools out of the back of a truck (one of those sales scam type things). As a single Mom. She makes good (a relative term) money and has been carrying more than her share of the load in our fiscal obligations. If that is possible because we two are one. My money has always been her money just as hers is mine. I am able to make close to what she makes
Aside from all of the above, what has kept us afloat was responsible fiscal management before the economy took a dip. We have a humble but very nice home. We could have reached much much higher but we are simple folks. Aside from our home mortgage and my truck payment (three more months left), we just have basic utility bills. We do have a credit card bill and a ?line of credit? from the bank which we have, umm, used more than we would have but, we were not racked with debt before I quit my job. It is easy to pay our bills. By the way, quitting my job was no big deal. Many who did what I did, drilling oil wells, are out of work. Which is no big deal because the oil fields are historically boom and bust.
I would be remiss if I did not give all the credit, and thanks, to God. I know many do not like to hear it, many can not believe it, but, God is real. It would seem unlikely that I could be so prosperous (another relative term). Being that I came from a broken home, am a high school drop out, and for those that wish to demonize, have smoked pot. I was raised to believe that I would be a failure. I did not help that outlook. Yet,
with because of God, all things are possible. Not only that but, He has given me the peace to believe in myself. He has given me the confidence to do. He has given me the comfort to not fear failure. He has given me the hope, to hope for the future. He has given me the enjoyment of being satisfied with my lot in life while still yearning for more. Everything else is gravy,
. THANK YOU LORD,
!
I also have to say that life recently has not been easy and will add "so what?" No one promised us easy. I can tell you that life is good. They say that you can grow up and be anything you want. In the oil fields they say "there ain't no can't in the oil fields". It is a can do world and we never grow up enough to where we can not achieve something else. You just gotta believe and you gotta do.
Now, I gotta take time to chastise those that won't. What is your frackin problem ? If I can do it you can too. Are you so weak that you need a mommy government. The government is the one which can't do, .... the fixin for your failings. Why do you need a union to ensure you future ? You are your future. You are the economy, quit being a drag on it. Oh wahh wahh, you don't want to clean toilets. Wahh wahh, it's too hot outside to pick crops/dig ditches. Wahh wahh I don't want to work at Mc Donalds, I have a college degree. That is your problem, .... you won't. No wonder you can't.
[This message has been edited by cliffw (edited 09-13-2009).]
, life is good.
.
