Anyone Here Know A Way to Make $ w/o Selling Out?

4/9/2008 9:55 AM


4/9/2008 9:59 AM


4/9/2008 10:02 AM


Let's see. "Respond in 7 minutes or you are WRONG!"

Yep. Perfect attitude of "management".

So back at ya.

I just have to ask - have you ever owned and managed a highly successful company where everyone you payed less than yourself could walk out, and you would still be able to keep the company running at the same level by yourself?
(Begin 7 minute countdown to "I proved you wrong" attitude.)

well?...

in all seriousness, that's what i thought

Grow some things and sell them at the farmer's market, that is really my only idea for what you are wanting to do. Find temporary jobs here and there, etc..

I'm willing to send some money your way if you can look at my soul and have a discussion about it, as you say you can. :)

Well, WBR, I have primarily made my living by being creative for the last 25+ years. Freedom has always been an issue and though you certainly won't get rich, you can get by if your needs are reasonable.

While "on the road" I had a small jewelry set up and made sterling items (the old fashioned way... with a gasoline blow-torch for soldering and chamois for buffing). These were good trade items and also sold well at flea markets, farmer's markets and such. Folks loved that they could watch a piece being made, especially for them with a stone they had picked out! I kept the style tasty crude and worked with cabochons to keep it simple. Takes some learning but worth the effort.

When in the cities I would also take note of where the hotels and restaurants were. I would go in during "happy hour" or a meal and check out their scene. If they ran specials, I would come back after the rush and ask to speak with the manager. I had taught myself to letter using some old calligraphy & sign painting books and could draw fairly well. I had made up a notebook of samples of specials and illustrations that I would show the mgr. Printable fliers and reusable signs for weekly specials are seldom thought of, but as I was careful to point out, saved valuable employee time (and employer dollars) because no one had to hand write it our on a board each time. I just provided the original and they had their own printing done. Pricing can be tricky. You want it to be worth their while, but not sell yourself too short. Consistent pricing that is competitive without being cheap is more important when you are established in one location. On the road, it all depends on how badly you need the cash.

I also reserve a little cash and go to garage sales each week in season and scour the thrift shops on a regular basis. This was much easier when traveling, but the flea markets were much better for that sort of stuff then too. Now, I will resell items on eBay or have my own yard sale about twice a year. Sometimes, I simply store those really cool things like small antiques, jewelry and old tools to take with me the next time I go to the city. There, I take them to antique stores and can usually sell to the owners. To be any good at this you need to educate yourself... and Broadly! about all sorts of collectible items! Study the pricing guides, collectors books and big auction house publications every chance you get! There are treasures thrown out every day, but you must be able to tell the difference at a glance. Once you have an idea of what is actually collectible, go look at museums and stores to get some hands-on/eyes-on experience. With time, you will be able to recognize genuine gold/pearls/quality paintings/pricey costume jewelry etc. at a glance and smothered in pure junk. It does take practice though.

I sell garden produce when I have extra or trade for what I don't have. Cleaning yards and houses is always good for some extra cash too. This can be a real service for older or disabled folks since I try to keep the fee something they can afford... Sometimes, I will offer to trade some work for something (like that collectible old & obviously long unused wheelbarrow). I just make up some cards and knock on the door when I see a place that could use some help. Minor maintenance is appreciated too, if you have the skills.

I have had people give me full basements or garages of "stuff" just to get it out of their way! I am very careful about these "gifts" though. They rarely want to pay dump fees, gas costs or hourly wage so you must be sure there is enough good resale stuff there to cover your costs and then some.

The real clean-up bonus comes when you see properties listed by real estate agents! You can charge them going rates by the hour and get a name for doing a good, quick job rather easily if you can get just one to hire you. Seems like good help is hard to come by in this market... just don't take on more than you can reasonably do when other agents start calling!

Signs... I hate doing signs. There always seems to be a problem, but the money is good. Notice tacky or tired signs and offer to repaint them or do new ones. You can make a pattern using butcher paper from the old sign and transfer it to new, pre-painted signboard to make this easier if you aren't a whiz at this art stuff yet. Be sure to use primer and good quality paint too. I charge standard fees for this, which is by the letter if fancy, or running foot if simple. Customer buys the materials or I price materials and labor (include time for shopping!) as a package deal.

The real key to good, honest, win-win survival income is being resourceful! Think about what you know and can do... Good with your hands and have a place? Teach something! Woodworking, small home repair, container or organic gardening, basic sewing, drawing or ANY craft (the list is endless!) lessons for two or three at a time if children, more if adults for $5 to $10 a class usually goes over in a small town or neighborhood if you have a good reputation with friends and neighbors. Some things, like landscaping and gardening or home repairs can be taught at their homes... charge more for this!... while helping them learn while doing the work to set up or modify their own place.

Write articles about what you know. If you can write well (said you have a book out?) check out the online sites like Helium and Associated Content. I don't have much time to contribute to these, but I still manage to make a little every month with my measly few articles on these two. It all adds up! I have actually received a couple of offers and invitations to write for others through my material there! Now, that's exciting for a novice writer!

I think it is my code of ethics that keeps this working. I ALWAYS go for win-win situations! I try to notice a "need" and think about how I can fulfill it to both parties' advantage. I don't care about riches or getting ahead... never have. When a line of work gets too costly in time or more important, self-respect, I move on to something else that nourishes my soul as well as my pocketbook. I always try to do this nicely if someone is leaning on me too heavily, since I may want to return or find myself in a barren stretch again. You'd be surprised how many employers (yes, I do "regular" jobs sometimes lol) are glad to have a return temporary employee or someone already trained on their job that they can call in a pinch! ...a freelance Kelly Girl... You just have to convince them this IS an acceptable practice! Too many don't know how to even begin thinking outside the box.

I could go on and on, but maybe this will get You started thinking outside your own box! That is what is important. We are all different and have different skill sets... take a hard look at what you can and love to do... build on that. Don't be afraid to learn either. Until you get good at something, charge less! Intelligent, willing, helpful hands are Always in demand and are worth something!

BTW, not the place to post this but... I would sure like to find out more about the gathering in West Yellowstone... Is there some way you can be contacted or more specific information available through one of the tribal counsels? I'm not a paid member (freelance doesn't provide all the luxuries I'd like lol) so I couldn't private message you and I hesitate to post an email publicly due to spamming issues. Thanks so much for any help you can offer... I have a feeling about this one and I want to be there.

Collect recycables and take to your nearest recycle center. You can make enough money to keep you going.My 9yr old grandson made $30.00 in 2 hrs time.

If I make money over 50% goes back to my research, and trying to figure this damn tornado code out. Also to get live internet TV for tornado warnings for you all. That is the goal. I don't care to be RICH. I just care to make a living comfortably while helping those around me.

Kev

Wow, I used to have that kind of energy and resourcefulness, SouthernLight... But these days, heck, I'm too into cruising than to knock myself out...

But wow, you sure got it down there... There's a lot in what you said... more than enough to help a lot of folks out... including myself... Thank You!

I've done a little of that in my time... And that is why I'm looking for alternatives... Lived in a car for a while... then lost it and just couch-surfed for a number of years... and had a Good Time!

Had my own lil one man marketing company too... Did rather well with it for a few years... though I sure did scrimp getting it going... and spent the majority of my time out on the road... workin shows on the weekends, cold calls and follow-ups during the week... Got offered a real high paying job by one of my clients... but it was in an area of business that I'd just as soon stay out of (top secret type stuff... involving high placed people... not my world at all...)

I'd probably still be in that business, had not a friend and business associate taken me to the cleaners... way up there in the six-figures... Son of a gun... That hurt.

So, I took over this little remote ranch way back in the mountains of a pretty spectacular place... Everywhere you looked, you saw the Face of God smiling back at you... It was a hard but somewhat idyllic life for a while, I'll tell ya... Very primitive, but very cool.

It was there I met a Spotted Eagle... and a fellow I loosely call Lucy (not female)... Both of 'em wanted my soul... The Eagle won... And Gad, did life ever change...

I could go on and on about many other projects I've undertaken... I'm just a nut when it come to taking a gamble in biz... whoo...

And that's not to mention the millions of miles I've been pushing those ole eighteen-wheelers up and down the highway too... Man oh man, what a crazy life... Been through just about every kind of disaster known to earth, but have missed a few... Wow, it's no wonder I went prematurely white... since my thirties, on less...

So, I'm really looking for the grip right now... I know what my real priorities are these days, and they sure aren't like they used to be...I'm just needing to find a way to merge these two worlds... Spirit and Earthworld...

So yeah, that does kinda tie together with that Gathering up in W. Yellowstone... That's maybe where we all ought to be... in one form or another... because that's where these two worlds are gonna meet... I'm pretty sure of that... gut feeling and all...

And maybe after that, there won't be this political/economic system any longer... But, just in case, you know, I think I need a way to share my gifts and talents productively... besides bringing in a few dollars... keep the wolf away from the door and all that...

So yeah, that's kinda where I'm sitting right now... looking down both sides of the fence, seeing what I can see... and doing what I can...

I'd like to communicate with both you and canislatrans... I think I can send Member Mail to you... that you can receive but not respond to. If that doesn't work, let me know here... and we'll figure something else out.

Oh, and I wouldn't charge for a service like that, canislatrans.

Peace.