OT/MISC Need a Job? Ideas to create one

Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
Hi folks. I know the unemployed are at the end of their rope and there's lots of hopelessness out there. I have been self employed my whole life and have been out of work for the last 5 weeks myself. I've started doing some work here and there but am not yet at my capacity for making enough to pay the endless bills. I have NO unemployment insurance, NO retirement fund and NO medical insurance. I also have very little debt but that doesn't help me with living day to day. I'm the type of person who sees the negative things in life and quickly looks for solutions to bring it back in balance. I have been thinking alot about different types of jobs that people can create for themselves. That it what this country was made of and the corporations have all but destroyed. I've started a list and if we can all start thinking like this it may help someone or ourselves. Please help me add to the list and maybe once we have a really good list, it could have a permanent posting somewhere.

Funny I just had a few of my sons friends pop in on me wanting to post my property as they are thinking I'll let them hunt it. They needed my machete to chop brush and it wasn't the sharpest. One of the kids knew how to sharpen it and I gave him the tools. As I was handing it to him I said "Ya know, that wouldn't be a bad job for someone. Put a reader ad in the paper advertising knife and scissor sharpening"... the kid said, "Wow, great idea Vicki. I think I might do that!" See.. that's how jobs are created. First you have to think of a NEED and then fill it.

Anyway... here goes... :)

Ideas for jobs:

1) Compile a list of people to do grocery shopping for and add 10% of their bill for your service. $100 in groceries pays you $10 for your service. Shop for multiple people and get multiple pay. $50 for $500 worth of grocery buying and delivering. Something along those lines.

2) Yard work, mowing lawns, trimming bushes, raking and pulling weeds. Most people with property can use some kind of help. Ask for minimum wage to whatever you think you're worth while being reasonable.

3) Sitting jobs such as a) babysitting b) housesitting c) elderly sitting d) animal sitting etc, etc.

4) Start your own resale business offering consignments to people who have things to sell. A room or garage or even a tent could house items for resale.

5) Repair biz doing whatever talent you're good at. Can you fix small mechanical things? Can you do mending or alterations on clothing? Can you uphoister furniture? Use your imagination!

6) Painting, wallpapering, cleaning, etc etc are all good things to make some extra money.

7) A sharpening biz for knives, scissors, saws, etc.

8) Refurbishing handtools and small manual appliances.

Help me out here folks. What else?
 
StringBean

StringBean

Inactive
How 'bout something along the lines of "rent-a-hubby" or "rent-a-wife"?

"Hubby" can take care of minor repairs around the house, clean the garage, bathe the dogs kind of stuff.

"Wifey" can get dinner started or ready, pick up dry cleaning/prescriptions, and other errand-running that takes up so much time. I would LOVE (cant afford) someone to take care of the seemingly endless errand-running for me. It eats up all my lunchtimes, and even stuff on my way home from work.

Check Craig s List also for "gig" or "project" type jobs. Things like clean a garage for $100.

Several years ago..."Pooper-scooper" business were pretty profitable.
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
StringBean said:
How 'bout something along the lines of "rent-a-hubby" or "rent-a-wife"?

"Hubby" can take care of minor repairs around the house, clean the garage, bathe the dogs kind of stuff.

"Wifey" can get dinner started or ready, pick up dry cleaning/prescriptions, and other errand-running that takes up so much time. I would LOVE (cant afford) someone to take care of the seemingly endless errand-running for me. It eats up all my lunchtimes, and even stuff on my way home from work.

Check Craig s List also for "gig" or "project" type jobs. Things like clean a garage for $100.

Several years ago..."Pooper-scooper" business were pretty profitable.

Thank you Stringbean! Great ideas! Lets add em and keep em coming!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ideas for jobs:

1) Compile a list of people to do grocery shopping for and add 10% of their bill for your service. $100 in groceries pays you $10 for your service. Shop for multiple people and get multiple pay. $50 for $500 worth of grocery buying and delivering. Something along those lines.

2) Yard work, mowing lawns, trimming bushes, raking and pulling weeds. Most people with property can use some kind of help. Ask for minimum wage to whatever you think you're worth while being reasonable.

3) Sitting jobs such as a) babysitting b) housesitting c) elderly sitting d) animal sitting etc, etc.

4) Start your own resale business offering consignments to people who have things to sell. A room or garage or even a tent could house items for resale.

5) Repair biz doing whatever talent you're good at. Can you fix small mechanical things? Can you do mending or alterations on clothing? Can you uphoister furniture? Use your imagination!

6) Painting, wallpapering, cleaning, etc etc are all good things to make some extra money.

7) A sharpening biz for knives, scissors, saws, etc.

8) Refurbishing handtools and small manual appliances.

9) Garage cleaning

10) Dog bathing, walking, feeding, etc.

11) Minor Household repairs

12) Running errands for others

13) Cooking for people with no time, setting up healthy meals etc.
Click to expand...
 
R

rockcreek

Veteran Member
Great ideas. I live in a small town. There has been a car repair shop down the road. It changed hands many times because there was no business. Also there was one 3 doors down. A couple of guys opened it up last year as a recycling station. They take old washing machines, stoves, batteries, lawn mowers, cars anything metal. They pay you for your stuff and that place is always busy. They keep expanding to take more things.With people out of work they are making alittle income taking it there. I keep telling my DH why didn't we think of that. That place is very busy.
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
rockcreek said:
Great ideas. I live in a small town. There has been a car repair shop down the road. It changed hands many times because there was no business. Also there was one 3 doors down. A couple of guys opened it up last year as a recycling station. They take old washing machines, stoves, batteries, lawn mowers, cars anything metal. They pay you for your stuff and that place is always busy. They keep expanding to take more things.With people out of work they are making alittle income taking it there. I keep telling my DH why didn't we think of that. That place is very busy.
Click to expand...

Thank you rockcreek and that is the type of thing I'm talking about here. That just gave me another idea.

Old wax from candles? I'll pay you a dollar a pound. Remelt it and clean it and make new candles that sell for three dollars a pound. Something like that!

Restore, remake, reuse... those are all good!

How bout canning for people when fresh stuff is in season?

How bout doing someone's laundry for them. Single guys would probably LOVE having someone to do that for them. lol

The possibilties are only limited by our imaginations right? ;)
 
dstraito

dstraito

TB Fanatic
Buying, reselling, and consignment on EBAY.

Pick a trade group, for example Motorcycle shows. Pick a niche area like pins for Motorcycle vests, Angel Bells, stickers, and other things you could pick up online for pretty cheap. Then buy a table at a show and resell for a pretty good profit.


Buy some cleaning supplies and detail cars and motorcyles

Make the rounds of neighborhoods right before large trash pickup, you'd be amazed at what some people throw away that can be reused, fixed, sold in a garage sale or flea market.

Keep an eye on Craiglist in the free area. People give away things all the time just to get rid of them.
 
juco

juco

Veteran Member
I've always thought (and even more so now) that someone with gardening skills could make a nice income installing raised beds, complete with seedlings. Cukes, tomatoes, squash, whatever-within reason-the customer wanted. Then set up a maintenance schedule, check in once a week or so to weed, fertilize, etc to make sure the seedlings are hardy. Then all the customer has to do is harvest.

I couldn't believe my ears when a lady at church told me that she'd love to have a big garden like mine, but her husband wouldn't put one in for her. (He was a farmer!) And I have heard several people comment that they would love to have a small garden but it was "too much trouble" They love the idea of home grown but don't want to do the work.
 
D

DrJerry

Inactive
"Investigate before you invest"
Remember that anytime you work on someone's home, i.e. roof/gutter cleaning etc in most areas you will need a state contractors license which involves certified competency of some sort (Usually a certain number of years experience, Journeyman status, or similar) You will also need to be bonded, insured,and sometimes local licenses. There were things I did as a college student (like painting apartments) that simply cannot be done today by an individual unless well financed. "Environmental Impact Statement for disposal of used paint rollers":kk2: Wash used paint rollers out under a faucet today and you have just created a superfund site.:screw:
 
juco

juco

Veteran Member
A local guy was selling these on Craig's list. The tire places were paying him to come pick up the tires and haul them off and then he turned them into cutsie tire swings using some kind of epoxy paint and coated chains.
 

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amarilla

Veteran Member
If you can learn how to sew badges on CORRECTLY for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, etc, people will pay for that. Big thing is to get known for doing it right the first time.

A
 
E

Emily

One Day Closer
There are so many people who are considering starting gardens but they don't know the first thing about it. You may want to offer a service to start and monitor gardens and teach people how to.

Word of caution for anyone considering driving people anywhere - most states require a chauffeur's license to do that and also would require additional insurance if you are driving for hire.

With any services you offer, please consider the liability consequences and protect yourself. Talk to an insurance agent to see if they have any advice or do your research by calling a similar business and ask them if they are licensed / insured, etc and see how much information they can give you.
 
Jeff Allen

Jeff Allen

Producer
Great thread Vicki!

My BIL is doing multiple things to make ends meet:
1. doing fill in for a former employer who had to lay many off
2. being the "gopher" for a masonry biz owner
3. mowing some lawns...even a cemetary
4. running his own "odds and ends" sort of biz

Is he getting rich? Nope. But he aint starving. And I'm proud of him.

My DW saw going wages for her profession go from $37 hr to $12.50 over two years...so...she retrained as a realtor, which she now loves (but making about $2 an hour..lol)

Lots of good ideas already posted I think!

J
 
C

Chair Warmer

Membership Revoked
Those are some great ideas Vicki!

But I just worry with a bad economy people won't or can't afford to pay for services they can do for themselves. I've never had a business but I've always dreamed of it and always love brainstorming ideas for them.

It's just that I've always been so overwhelmed and intimidated by the business aspect of regulations, taxes, and licenses because I don't have the know how to comply with many of them and I can't afford any punishment from huge fines. I can't afford to hire lawyers and accountant to navigate me into the business world either.

Here's a few business ideas I've come up with;

*child care service at malls - maybe only in Dubai now since the economic crash?

*grow American gensing and sell it to China where they favor the American species - oh yeah, recoup our trade deficit losses!

*a rental company just for homesteading needs; canners, tillers, garden plows and snow plows, accessories to hook up to lawn mowers

*teaching courses; canning, gardening, wild edible plants foraging, herbal healing

*installing solar/alternative energy technology

*opening an American made ONLY store

*manufacturing (alternative energy devices would be good, or homesteading needs and tools)


I've also invented a lot of stuff (but so far only in my mind...lol) only to later find out it's already been invented. Some examples of these are;

A grill and garden sink hooked up by a water hose, the very next Summer I saw these already on the market for sale

Illuminescent wall paint also magnetic paint (looked it up on the internet, already exists)

Oceanic floating greenhouse farms (don't know if they exist but assume they do)

Solar desalination methods (they already exist and I don't know why they didn't send a bunch of little cheap plastic solar desalination stills to Haiti, they could have even just shipped plastic parts with instructions and let the Haitans put them together on the beaches to use)

Ever heard of a urine powered battery? I've wondered if septic tanks could power a house. Maybe not from urine since it would be too diluted but the combination from all waste may put off enough gases that could. I saw a t.v. show once of a dairy farmer who used cow poo waste ponds to power the farm with. There's so much technology that exists today but seems it doesn't get used to it's full potential.

Oh yeah there was another one I came up with that held baby's legs still so you can change their diapers! lol

And many, many others... can't remember them now but I should start writing them down when they come to me.

Mrs. CW
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
dstraito said:
Buying, reselling, and consignment on EBAY.

Pick a trade group, for example Motorcycle shows. Pick a niche area like pins for Motorcycle vests, Angel Bells, stickers, and other things you could pick up online for pretty cheap. Then buy a table at a show and resell for a pretty good profit.


Buy some cleaning supplies and detail cars and motorcyles

Make the rounds of neighborhoods right before large trash pickup, you'd be amazed at what some people throw away that can be reused, fixed, sold in a garage sale or flea market.

Keep an eye on Craiglist in the free area. People give away things all the time just to get rid of them.
Click to expand...

Ou ou... I like the idea of detailing cars and motorcycles Dstraito. Wish that would come down in price and make a splurge again. :)
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
juco said:
I've always thought (and even more so now) that someone with gardening skills could make a nice income installing raised beds, complete with seedlings. Cukes, tomatoes, squash, whatever-within reason-the customer wanted. Then set up a maintenance schedule, check in once a week or so to weed, fertilize, etc to make sure the seedlings are hardy. Then all the customer has to do is harvest.

I couldn't believe my ears when a lady at church told me that she'd love to have a big garden like mine, but her husband wouldn't put one in for her. (He was a farmer!) And I have heard several people comment that they would love to have a small garden but it was "too much trouble" They love the idea of home grown but don't want to do the work.
Click to expand...

I wish I could find someone to help me with mine. Especially this year. There's alot of teens and a bit older kids around here with no jobs but when I ask for one to do gaqrdening with me, they scatter. It's hard work but to me, very rewarding!
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
DrJerry said:
"Investigate before you invest"
Remember that anytime you work on someone's home, i.e. roof/gutter cleaning etc in most areas you will need a state contractors license which involves certified competency of some sort (Usually a certain number of years experience, Journeyman status, or similar) You will also need to be bonded, insured,and sometimes local licenses. There were things I did as a college student (like painting apartments) that simply cannot be done today by an individual unless well financed. "Environmental Impact Statement for disposal of used paint rollers":kk2: Wash used paint rollers out under a faucet today and you have just created a superfund site.:screw:
Click to expand...

DrJerry, I want to ignor your post because it flies in the face of what the people in this country need right now but at the same time shows where the problems lie. It will get to the point where if you stumble upon an accident and there is someone in dire straits, you have to wonder if you would be sued for administering help. :(
 
eXe

eXe

Techno Junkie
How are your computer skills? Any chance of starting some kind of online either site or biz that wont have a ton of overhead but make you some money?

If I remember right, you were in the music biz years ago, could you use that to market to bands that might need an online presence or help with getting on twitter, facebook, search engines?

If you already USE those things, and you already have an "in" in the biz, its an idea.

Take my wife for example, way way back in 96 she and I started doing websites for people for free. She had sold real estate for years, knew all the Realtors in town, next thing you know.. real estate agents were PAYING us to do their sites or update them. Just an idea.. we now have a huge business off of that one little start.
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
That's pretty clever Juco, thanks! :)

Sewing for Clubs, groups, etc... good idea Amarilla!

Teaching gardening, teaching soap making, sewing, shooting, etc, etc. Great addition Emily!

and then we have the red bureaucratic tape...lol
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
Jeff Allen said:
Great thread Vicki!

My BIL is doing multiple things to make ends meet:
1. doing fill in for a former employer who had to lay many off
2. being the "gopher" for a masonry biz owner
3. mowing some lawns...even a cemetary
4. running his own "odds and ends" sort of biz

Is he getting rich? Nope. But he aint starving. And I'm proud of him.

My DW saw going wages for her profession go from $37 hr to $12.50 over two years...so...she retrained as a realtor, which she now loves (but making about $2 an hour..lol)

Lots of good ideas already posted I think!

J
Click to expand...

Oh Jeff! $2 is better than $0... lol Hang in there, she'll probably get work once the banks collapse and the people revolt. ;)
 
I

Irish

Veteran Member
I met a couple of young men from KY or TN (can't remember) that had a business catching loose cattle. Ok, it sounds strange, but with so many farmers getting older and not able to pay for regular help, these guys will move your cattle for you or bring them back in if they get loose. They have their own horses to round up cattle, a trailer to put them in if necessary AND they will fix your fence.

They saw a need, started a business and they are doing great ( enough to pay for a vacation to AZ in Feb ).

I especially loved this idea because of when we had cattle, it seemed like the bull always got out when I was home alone and the neighbors were all gone :( Thank goodness Charlie loved his corn and would follow a bucket any where.
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
Chair Warmer said:
Those are some great ideas Vicki!

But I just worry with a bad economy people won't or can't afford to pay for services they can do for themselves. I've never had a business but I've always dreamed of it and always love brainstorming ideas for them.

It's just that I've always been so overwhelmed and intimidated by the business aspect of regulations, taxes, and licenses because I don't have the know how to comply with many of them and I can't afford any punishment from huge fines. I can't afford to hire lawyers and accountant to navigate me into the business world either.

Here's a few business ideas I've come up with;

*child care service at malls - maybe only in Dubai now since the economic crash?

*grow American gensing and sell it to China where they favor the American species - oh yeah, recoup our trade deficit losses!

*a rental company just for homesteading needs; canners, tillers, garden plows and snow plows, accessories to hook up to lawn mowers

*teaching courses; canning, gardening, wild edible plants foraging, herbal healing

*installing solar/alternative energy technology

*opening an American made ONLY store

*manufacturing (alternative energy devices would be good, or homesteading needs and tools)


I've also invented a lot of stuff (but so far only in my mind...lol) only to later find out it's already been invented. Some examples of these are;

A grill and garden sink hooked up by a water hose, the very next Summer I saw these already on the market for sale

Illuminescent wall paint also magnetic paint (looked it up on the internet, already exists)

Oceanic floating greenhouse farms (don't know if they exist but assume they do)

Solar desalination methods (they already exist and I don't know why they didn't send a bunch of little cheap plastic solar desalination stills to Haiti, they could have even just shipped plastic parts with instructions and let the Haitans put them together on the beaches to use)

Ever heard of a urine powered battery? I've wondered if septic tanks could power a house. Maybe not from urine since it would be too diluted but the combination from all waste may put off enough gases that could. I saw a t.v. show once of a dairy farmer who used cow poo waste ponds to power the farm with. There's so much technology that exists today but seems it doesn't get used to it's full potential.

Oh yeah there was another one I came up with that held baby's legs still so you can change their diapers! lol

And many, many others... can't remember them now but I should start writing them down when they come to me.

Mrs. CW
Click to expand...

Hi Chair Warmer

I think in today's world, most people can't do for themselves anymore. They've lost alot of that knowledge unfortunately. That's why we have so many with entitlement mentalities. They think they aren't capable because they were never taught any different. I'm a go getter because I was born into that mindset. I sure didn't learn it from school. People won't have money, you are correct, but as times get harder and harder, people will realize doing something that earns them $2.00 is better than NO bucks. (right Jeff? :)) If something needs to be done and someone else is willing, we can turn to bartering instead of money. That also works.

As far as the red tape as in regulations, etc, it's gotten to the point where they are not to our benefit. I run my business legally and have all the liscenses and insurance etc, but I've also had some run-ins with the state and guess what? The state was dead wrong and I haven't heard from them since. Common sense goes along ways. Sometimes the people making the rules forget that.

Your additions are wonderful! I especially like the American ONLY and growing Ginseng and teaching herbal healing and wildcrafting. (I'm aiming for that someday myself)

ROTFL on the holding the baby's legs still!!! That's a good one! lol

Where do you live Mrs. ChairWarmer? I wanna live next to you!!! :)

Vicki
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
eXe said:
How are your computer skills? Any chance of starting some kind of online either site or biz that wont have a ton of overhead but make you some money?

If I remember right, you were in the music biz years ago, could you use that to market to bands that might need an online presence or help with getting on twitter, facebook, search engines?

If you already USE those things, and you already have an "in" in the biz, its an idea.

Take my wife for example, way way back in 96 she and I started doing websites for people for free. She had sold real estate for years, knew all the Realtors in town, next thing you know.. real estate agents were PAYING us to do their sites or update them. Just an idea.. we now have a huge business off of that one little start.
Click to expand...

Exe, you're too sweet! I don't need a job. I have more jobs than I could possibly want. I can't even be sick without people calling me asking me to do work for them. lol I'm just trying to help people who don't know what to do when their unemployment runs out. I really appreciate your kind words though and wow on the biz for you and your wife. That makes my heart glad. :) I know we got it in us to turn this country around. We just need a kick in the pants to give us that "hope" that was so blatantly paraded in front of us. We need to turn this depression into creativity. It's worked in the past and it will work again even if we have to do it picking up the pieces of what's left of this country.

Vicki
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
Irish said:
I met a couple of young men from KY or TN (can't remember) that had a business catching loose cattle. Ok, it sounds strange, but with so many farmers getting older and not able to pay for regular help, these guys will move your cattle for you or bring them back in if they get loose. They have their own horses to round up cattle, a trailer to put them in if necessary AND they will fix your fence.

They saw a need, started a business and they are doing great ( enough to pay for a vacation to AZ in Feb ).

I especially loved this idea because of when we had cattle, it seemed like the bull always got out when I was home alone and the neighbors were all gone :( Thank goodness Charlie loved his corn and would follow a bucket any where.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea too Irish, another for the list and variations of it.

We need to compile this list!

:)
 
eXe

eXe

Techno Junkie
haha ahh ok Vicki, I thought it was YOU who was in need of some kind of job :) Oh well my ideas go for everyone.. find something you already know and enjoy and run with it!
 
S

shane

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'd originally posted the following in 2005 on a thread entitled...
"ECON - What jobs WILL be left/available when the Economy tanks?" at...
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=151461

Some jobs that'll also likely be in higher demand soon...

- Bankruptcy counselors and lawyers specializing in it
- Collection agencies
- Court legal paper servers
- Moving & rental truck outfits
- Insurance fraud investigators
- Theft of service investigators (cable, utilities)
- Asset recovery (repo man)
- Prison & private security guards
- Auctioneers
- Flea markets
- Farmers markets
- Pawn shops
- Metal scrap yards
- Refurbishers & sellers of used appliances, furniture
- Second hand clothing stores
- Local bartering clubs
- Household budget & finance consultant
- Cheap 'informal' bars, booze, bookies, prostitutes
- Drug, alcohol, gambling, & stress crisis centers
- Marriage & family counselors
- Home, business & farm/ranch security & weapon training
- Kidnapping/ransom consultants & negotiators
- Economical cremation, burial & funeral homes

On a more positive note, any teachers of any of the above, or wannabe authors that can homebrew a manual about it, or about any type of practical skills that either helps folks save money or make money, will be in high demand, too.

Also, most any kind of creative repair man (auto, plumber, appliance, electrician, computer, TV/VCR/DVD, etc.) will be in higher demand, too, as folks won't be buying new if it can ever be fixed cheaper.

Got God, Grub, Guns & Gold?
Panic Early, Beat the Rush!

- Shane

P.S. - And, "no" I'm not promoting prostitution or pimping above, just showing what there will inevitably be more of.

P.S.#2 - I'd also add to the in-demand list under "either helps folks save money or make money" the wide-spread popular return of 'victory gardens' amongst those who have never seriously or successfully had a thriving family garden, who will need help doing so. There could be an opportunity in helping/teaching folks how to raise and then preserve their own food at their own place for either money and/or a share of produce. It's hard for some of us here to imagine ever paying anyone for such help as most of us know what to do or how to find out for free locally, but many of those hungry and in need later won't have a clue where to start.

Also, we might could see spring up many more local 'green thumb' community plots where the one running it provides numerous families small staked out plots on his land all adjoining each other where he/she overseas it all. This manager running it provides basic tools shared by all along with their ever present gardening expertise and guidance, again either for money and/or for a share in the produce. Sales of seeds, fertilizer and other supplies there would supplement the operation.

And, from a posting of mine back in early April 2007...

The economic, financial and monetary mess fixing to be unleashed should have all eager to re-evaluate any entanglements with typical investment vehicles most fellow Americans are mired in; stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 401k's, investment real estate, and dollar denominated paper assets in general, etc.

They should begin to explore owning only those tangible basic goods and preps that will sustain life, or save them money on essentials that'll always be needed, or possibly make some money regardless of the economy. And, with any little left over dollars, after that, then exchange some of them into some gold/silver.

All other investments and goods, with few exceptions, if not already unloaded, should be sold now while it can still get a fair price. A few toys reluctantly released, I consoled myself with remembering that, I'll be able to buy back bigger, better, later, and so much more cheaper, if I still even want to then.

Most all fellow Americans will be forced to try and liquidate most everything, too, eventually, but when they do, it'll be in a mass panic and far past any hope of ever getting anywhere near a fair price then, as everybody else will also be dumping everything at the same time, too, with many just trying to scrape together enough funds to cover their next mortgage, insurance, or tax payment to keep a roof over their heads.

This will be the coming shocking cover photo's of our national magazines and TV exposes, one of row upon row of suburban houses with tons of stuff (second cars, boats, jet-ski's, 4-wheelers, big screen TV's, exercise equip, etc.) all out front with for-sale signs, though with nothing much at all selling; "The Great American Garage Sale!" they'll all sadly document and proclaim.

Bottom Line: Sell now everything that does not sustain life or save money or make money, and do it while you can still get a fair price for it. And, with that money, then pay down debt and/or buy what truly will sustain your family or save/make you money during the 'coming to a town near you' national economic/financial/monetary crisis.

- Shane
 
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S

shane

Has No Life - Lives on TB
In the old days here, pre-refrigeration, we had "meat banks". Varied from six to a dozen ranching families who would each take turns contributing a cow. If they had a dozen families participating, they'd typically butcher one cow each month. When it was your cow that would be butchered, the useable meat was weighed, and that was your deposit into your meat bank account. Everybody would then get some of that meat, again carefully weighed, and that would be recorded as a withdrawal from each of their individual accounts.

If butchering is your skill, you'd be the natural to propose and set-up and maintain such a meat bank in tough times, whether we still have reliable refrigeration or not. You'd be due a % of the meat processed for running it.

Got God, Grub, Guns & Gold?
Panic Early, Beat the Rush!

- Shane
 
Border Guns

Border Guns

Veteran Member
Here where we are in a county park that has RV camping, there's a lady that goes around every other Saturday selling tamales out of her car. They are really good, too.

Another idea, my grandfather had some old shoe repair tools and used to resole my shoes as a kid. I was fascinated watching him work.
 
Dux

Dux

Veteran Member
I personally would like someone to go to farmer's markets to get good quality produce. I never have it together to take time to do it. I have tried CSA's (community sponsored agriculture) but it's set up that the consumer pays a fixed price and the farmer sends whatever grows, so sorry about hailstorms. And in fact we've found them holding their best produce back to sell at the farmer's markets.

In 2001, I decided to become a property manager. It worked, and is still a good business. So many folks can't sell but still need to move.

I tried to get a high school math tutor without success last year. She tested at some place, THEN they told us it would cost a fortune to go through the program.

Set up a poor man's musical instrument rental system. I spent $25 to $50 per month for a violin for 8 years. But I bought myself a flute for $40 on ebay. No, it wasn't that dumb when your kidlet starts with a 1/8 size and grows into a full size. But a less expensive store (from home?) would still be profitable.
 
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BoatGuy

Inactive
I've been doing lawn work and getting a great tan... at least on my arms.

But, I would like everyone to know that I am available, very cheap, to captain a bass boat. I am licensed, but not insured or bonded.
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
BoatGuy said:
I've been doing lawn work and getting a great tan... at least on my arms.

But, I would like everyone to know that I am available, very cheap, to captain a bass boat. I am licensed, but not insured or bonded.
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I thought about putting a boat in my pond. Would that count? lol
 
Vicki

Vicki

Girls With Guns Member
Shane, you had me lost in that thread from 2005. What a great read. I didn't get to finish it but I will go back and finish it. I think I remember reading "Charlotte's Web" when it was put up. I see you also called it on the socialized healthcare coming back then. Way to go.

I love everyone on here. So many people who have brains!! It's refreshing. No wonder I've been spending too much time here. Hopefully I can compile this in a little more organized fashion but not tonight. Matter of fact.. gotta call it an eve. Thanks everyone!

Vicki
 
C

Chair Warmer

Membership Revoked
Vicki said:
Hi Chair Warmer

I think in today's world, most people can't do for themselves anymore. They've lost alot of that knowledge unfortunately. That's why we have so many with entitlement mentalities. They think they aren't capable because they were never taught any different. I'm a go getter because I was born into that mindset. I sure didn't learn it from school. People won't have money, you are correct, but as times get harder and harder, people will realize doing something that earns them $2.00 is better than NO bucks. (right Jeff? :)) If something needs to be done and someone else is willing, we can turn to bartering instead of money. That also works.
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I think I've read statistics show that most entrepreneurs don't have a college degree but it would makes sense they'd make the most out of the knowledge and skills they do have to start a successful business.
As far as the red tape as in regulations, etc, it's gotten to the point where they are not to our benefit. I run my business legally and have all the liscenses and insurance etc, but I've also had some run-ins with the state and guess what? The state was dead wrong and I haven't heard from them since. Common sense goes along ways. Sometimes the people making the rules forget that.
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The red tape is suffocating our country and they need to bring out the beurocratic scissors and cut that tape to pieces so our country can finally breathe again.
Your additions are wonderful! I especially like the American ONLY and growing Ginseng and teaching herbal healing and wildcrafting. (I'm aiming for that someday myself)
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Thanks Vicki, I'm learning what I can researching online but still don't know as much as I'd like to know, it takes time.
ROTFL on the holding the baby's legs still!!! That's a good one! lol

Where do you live Mrs. ChairWarmer? I wanna live next to you!!! :)
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In the woods with few a nuts, some sticks and stones, and my wild imagination although you're always welcome to join me! Be forewarned though, it can get scary. I didn't have many toys growing up so I like my toys lively! Oh not you, no I didn't mean you! You game? <creepy big evil grin>... rofl

Joking aside, I'd really love it if you were my neighbor too! :)

Mrs. CW
 
StringBean

StringBean

Inactive
Cleanup after receptions, parties etc.....

Friend got married and the reception was held in an outdoor pavilion. The wedding party had to go the next morning (with hangovers) to clean the place up. Maybe leave a card with wedding planners, bridal shops and owners of reception/party facilities.

Collecting aluminum cans....I don't know the going price per pound nowadays, but my second job is at a golf course. I get bags and bags of cans every weekend. The boss just throws them out. By going to a business like this, you're not getting cans one at a time, but a 100 lbs or so with one stop. Wear rubber gloves. I'd do it myself, but I already have 2 jobs.

JJ
 
Maryh

Maryh

Veteran Member
My son can't find a job. Just graduated Magna *** Laude in marketing and international business so he and a friend decided to start their own branding agency for medium size businesses that can't afford a large advertising agency. They have no overhead so they can afford to price lower for services.
It will take a lot of hard work but hopefully it will be the start of something good for them in the future. By the way, it is called Boundless Branding LLC. I like the sound of it.
 
Dafodil

Dafodil

Veteran Member
My brother does the same thing. He designs logo's, etc. Does very well.
As far as mall childcare how about talking to your local grocer about watching kids. Everybody knows the longer you stay in a store the more money you spend! When my kids were small I would have not blinked twice dropping my kids off so I could shop in PEACE! I always thought a rent-a-wife service would do well. You could plan/cook meals,clean, do laundry, run errands,etc. No the etc does NOT include what you might think.:shr:
 
R

RiJoRi

Inactive
For those who plan on applying patches: I found out the best thing to do is wash the patches before applying them!!

This way they are pre-shrunk, and do not shrink on the first washing of the uniform. You know, "no one puts new patches on old material."

Oh, and sewn-on patches look a LOT better than ironed-on ones, and ironed-then-sewn are probably the best.

--Rich
 
R

RiJoRi

Inactive
Dafodil said:
... I always thought a rent-a-wife service would do well. You could plan/cook meals,clean, do laundry, run errands,etc. No the etc does NOT include what you might think.:shr:
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(1) Those functions used to be performed by a housekeeper, a lot more dignified than a "Rent-a-Wife"! (Think Mrs. Doubtfire.)

(2) The "etc." part that is NOT done ;) is the service provided by a "Rent-a-Date"!! :D

--Rich
 
B

blueberry

Inactive
A teenage couple I know are making excellent money painting house numbers on curbs. Their only investment was a few cans of paint and some attractive stencils - and the willingness to work out in the hot sun.

They try to do it in the cool evenings, when people are usually home, and working together they can easily do 4 - 6 homes an hour. They charge $25 to do both sides of the driveway.
 
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