| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
We got the news yesterday that effective Monday we will have a maximum 32 hour workweek. Sucks to get a 20% pay cut. Upper management is not affected. The situation is expected to last at least until mid-June at which point they will decide their next options. Things don't look good at the moment. So I'm looking for ideas of things that some of you do to make ends meet. I'll be hitting up a couple of local contract houses to see about Friday CAD temp jobs and maybe evening work. I just started back up part time at the bicycle shop but they don't have enough hours for me yet to make that a sole viable option. I've been collecting some thrift shop bicycles to overhaul and resell, but the craigslist locally is still a little weak to rely on that. I'm going to be putting some things up on ebay to test how that marketplace is doing for bicycles, golf clubs, old books, maybe a few Buell parts, and other stuff. I remember that someone on the site here a few years ago hit ebay hard and heavy for a short stint and were able to make some good short term revenue and cleared out their debts in the process. Something like that would be great to get some details about. Relocation isn't viable in the short term because the local housing market dictates that we'd have to short sale the house. But if I have to then so it goes. Family factors into that equation as well. Minnesota and Colorado are starting to look good again if things get to that point. So give me some ideas to do out of the home location. Thanks. Needless to say, vacation plans and motorcycle repairs are off the list for the near term. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Sorry to hear that Mike. We've been pretty dead the past two weeks. And am anticipating even more reduced hours myself. Right now, I'm lucky to be on 40, which in itself is about a 20% drop in pay of what I've been used to for the past 10-12 years. | ||
| Mikej |
Yeah, I think this economic roller coaster is just getting up to speed. I'm just trying to keep my part on the tracks and am hoping to not get ejected when it hits the loop-de-loop. At least when it gets to the loop I won't have any loose change still in my pockets to fall out and lose. Upcoming model years? What are those, it doesn't look too good for new dev stuff at the moment. | ||
| Hexangler |
I do handyman, tree removal, yard work, windows, etc. for friends, family, and referrals when times are slow. Usually cash. | ||
| 99savage |
Besides consulting & drafting a couple of the things I have done part-time in days of yore are: 1) Security (i.e. "rent-a-cop") - really flexible hours - pay not much more than minimum but you get to own horrible toys. 2) Landscaping - skill requirements, hours & pay vary A LOT from place to place. Chat a few contractors up. They also need mechanics & equipment operators. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I've been working at Gander Mtn part-time for the last 9 years. I'm making pretty decent money now. Gander makes my truck and bike payment every month. | ||
| Babired |
Mikej, become a motorcycle safety instructor. I make $27.00 to $30.00 an hour depending where I'm teaching and its FUN! And you get new riding buddies all the time! Just have to contact your state DMV or go to a local HD dealer that has Rider's Edge. K | ||
| Bill0351 |
Have you considered becoming a male "escort?" Nothing like turning a hobby into a career! | ||
| Sleez |
i know a guy who knows a guy, (seriously) who has been making a steady living selling vintage clothes. he goes to thrift stores and has learned what to look for, and makes enough to support his girlfriend and himself very well. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"Nothing like turning a hobby into a career!" I am known as a master baiter. | ||
| Bill0351 |
"i know a guy who knows a guy, (seriously) who has been making a steady living selling vintage clothes." Over the course of about 8 weeks last year, my girlfriend and I made about $1,000 selling on ebay. It was just unused junk we had laying around and some stuff she found at garage sales. It's kind of a PITA but it paid for a vacation. I can see how you could make a living at it if you worked hard enough. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I have a friend that buys Fox body Mustangs and parts them out on Mustang websites and eBay. He's got lots of really neat, rare Mustangs (SVO and 84 GTs mostly), paid cash for his house and doesn't work a traditional job anymore... | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Russian bride introduction, translation and consulting keeps my fun bills paid. You would be surprised at how many socially inept well off men are ready to spend money to get a Russian sweet heart. Just got through the Valentines day rush, I felt like an accountant during tax season. | ||
| Thrux181 |
I met a guy a few years back in Manteo, NC. He went to different business's, and made appointments with the people who worked there to change the oil in their cars. He was doing it out of the trunk of his car. He seemed to be doing pretty good. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
what ever you do, be sure you don't have to invest that much to do it. you don't want to buy a lot of tools for something that might last a little time. and yeh city, i got to see first hand what the russians have to offer. met the son's future uncle in law(mother's brother)he's 60's and his new wife(from the ukraine) is early 30's. definitely a trophy wife. and of course, he's got some money. | ||
| Mikej |
Interesting ideas. I'm going to pursue the ebay/craigslist game a bit, I'll probably have to upgrade my paypal account. And I'll will check into the Rider's Edge program which sounds like it could be fun. Hal's has a program, not sure about Suburban but I'll check. I've also mentally earmarked the other ideas that wouldn't get me into trouble at home. Appreciate the ideas, thanks. | ||
| Dfishman |
Let's see.........When charter fishing is slow I paint boats,install marine engines,repair boats in wood/fiberglass.I also do some welding in steel,aluminum,& stainless.I have always enjoyed building & repairing stuff as a hobby.So over the years I have accumilated a lot of tools.Now it seems I can make money with them.Good luck | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I've just started making one off junk sculpture mailboxes using old car parts that are lying in back of my garage. The first one was for our house, a simple two Alfa Romeo front coil springs welded together with a standard French mailbox on top, but of course word gets around in small villages via the postmen & I've been asked to build something for another resident. Another thing you could try is, picking up old broken shipping pallets, & making "Recycled Garden Compostors" All you need is a crow bar, a hammer, a bag of nails, & some eco friendly wood treatment stuff. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I have found that in past hard times, you can find a job easier when you are working. If you get the axe, take the next best thing you can, even if it sux. Something better will come along. If you get the axe and become unemployed, you gotta climb higher yet. | ||
| Skinstains |
I'm entertaining the idea of working on (other peoples) Buells in my garage at a very reasonable hourly rate. I'm pretty good at it and enjoy it as well. I'm equiped and skilled enough to do almost anything, sans machine work. We'll see. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Bill beat me to Gigolo  But in all seriousness, you need to look into pizza delivery. Don't laugh, it can pay surprisingly well. My brother put himself through school with it. It is not uncommon to make $15 and hour, and it is easy short term work. | ||
| Ulynut |
1. Commercial fishing 2. Bouncer at a couple local rowdy bars. $100 a night and you get to rough up some really annoying, pukey, little punk-ass wannabes. 3. Laboring for a tree removal co. 4. Odd jobs at the local marinas. | ||
| Blake |
http://www.cjhunter.com/ | ||
| Xbswede |
Has your work looked into a work share program. Not sure if your state has that available. Everyone at my work was put on 32 hours but our company signed up for work share which give the employees 8 hours of unemployment benefits. | ||
| Babired |
MikeJ if you need contacts for Rider's Edge let me know. K |
