| Jul 21, 2008 @ 3:37 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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SallyF suggested this and I think it's a great idea.
One I'm thinking about is a framing business - I have a detached outbuilding that was used by the prior owner as a framing studio - he even left glass, some frames and mats behind, with a built in workdesk. I'm thinking of taking some courses and giving that a try.
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| Jul 21, 2008 @ 6:43 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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SallyF
Posts: 341
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Thanks, Heaven! Am curious to see what people are doing. I left the work force, thinking that I had enough---in the current economy, I'm no longer certain about just what IS enough. Right now I'm simplifying big time, but an income stream would take the 'edge' off :-)
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| Jul 21, 2008 @ 8:25 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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I'm currently renting out one spare bedroom, with a second to follow (pretty soon too I hope). I'm making good money but I still have a mortgage that I want to get rid of before I retire so I'm throwing everything I can at it, while still trying to make the improvements that I really want. No time to start a home business right now, work's still too demanding but ya never know how long that work's gonna last. I'm in the top pay area, and I'm not willing to do the 60+ hour weeks anymore.
I'm still not hit by the economy except for rising prices due to the energy crisis...but I'm watching gas go under 4 bucks again...maybe we'll get yet another reprieve.
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| Jul 22, 2008 @ 11:18 AM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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jewelrylady
Posts: 36
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I think Home Businesses are definitely the way to go - I took an early retirement after I got downsized and found another job in the same company but had to take a $20K per year decrease in salary. Doing the math I realized I could retire and my income would only drop $800 more a month, so I found something I loved and am making more now than when I was working that last job! (For me it was jewelry!) I do think you MUST find something you love or it won't work for you.
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| Jul 23, 2008 @ 5:32 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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I used to do framing for people -- I kept it simple though and relied on custom cut material from a catalog so that I didn't need to store inventory. I also had the "luxury" of a couple of art supply shops in the area where I could pick up the perfect matboard when I needed it as well as a hardware store that cut the glass for me and charged a reasonable price (not like the glass shops around here.  )
Mostly people paid me for my "artistic eye". Measuring and cutting a straight bevel are easy to learn through a little practice. Sounds like a great "doable" plan, Heaven. As long as you have A/C in your shop for the summer. 
My intent in buying this particular piece of property was that it has a shop/studio potential...and that I could create 4 rental units IF I ever get that desparate (so far, so good...since I don't really want anyone living closer to me than my fortress-like fenceline  )
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| Jul 23, 2008 @ 7:57 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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Yep Sunny, it has AC, and I'm going to try to make it habitable for winter too so I can also use it as my guest room, for a visit from an MDer that I've been wanting to meet for ages - but I think he might be making a trip out to see you while he uses this as his base of operations this winter...I have an electric radiator from my last winter's HVAC hiatus, but he's used to cold...
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| Jul 23, 2008 @ 8:06 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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 I hadn't thought of bunking him in my shop...but once he sees it, he may set up camp there anyway.
(OMG, it'd be the coolest little house if it had plumbing -- I had the aluminim siding removed and now it's back to its original state: a rugged old ghost-town building!  I can't wait until I wash it down and treat the old dry wood...then mount my 5 sets of deer antlers outside...I really want a cow skull and a moose rack to complete the menagerie though )
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| Jul 26, 2008 @ 12:49 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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That's about all the room I'll have left if all goes as planned!
I never thought the four bedroom house I bought was gonna be occupied by MDers (matter of fact I'd never heard of MD back then!).
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| Jul 27, 2008 @ 3:06 AM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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Solitaire
Posts: 1,359
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Heaven, I love your idea of having a frame shop. What a great way to meet all those cool artists. Like sunny...who is a pretty good artist herself.
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| Jul 27, 2008 @ 3:35 AM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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Hey Soli!!  I'm laughing at our 'mirror images' (I only wish!) with the pictures...wonder how many people realize it's not only the same pool table but the same blouse! (I finally got one of my own, thanks again!).
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| Jul 28, 2008 @ 12:41 AM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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SunBabe
Posts: 12,279
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I saw that you two finally posted "back-back" last night (before you changed your primary pic) -- I've been waiting for that to happen.
(That blouse looked like an empty flour sack on me   -- you two do it true justice.  )
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| Jul 28, 2008 @ 5:48 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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SallyF
Posts: 341
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It is so fun that you all have met and have these group memories---reading it, I'm thinking......maybe, I should go into the 'blouse' for jazzy photos business
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| Jul 28, 2008 @ 7:01 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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Sally - great idea!! Flattering frocks for forum femmes!!
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| Jul 28, 2008 @ 7:15 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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JenRNinOhio
Posts: 4,161
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JewelryLady said:
I do think you MUST find something you love or it won't work for you
And I find myself saying, "Ack!"
I agree whole-heartedly that it should be something you love. And here is where I get stuck!
I love being a nurse. I feel it is the only job I could have (even on those horrendous days when I just want to quit & never be a nurse ever, ever again) ... Nothing else feels like it *fits*.
So .... I know how to be a nurse.
I know how to be a mom.
Can't do nursing from home.
Don't want any extra kids in this house.
*sigh*
The thing I love most & am oh so very good at:
~~Vacationing~~
hmmmmmmmmmmm
Actually, the B/F has his own business that he runs from his home office. I have done a bit of work with him. ... The *plan* is for me to retire from nursing so we can work & travel together ...
Let's see ... How long 'til the twins graduate?
Two Years & ten months & one week.
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| Jul 28, 2008 @ 7:46 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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mailorderannie
Posts: 6,021
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Two Years & ten months & one week.
but she's not counting
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| Jul 28, 2008 @ 7:56 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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SallyF
Posts: 341
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I get stuck on that, too--- you MUST find something you love That changes from day to day, week to week.....a liberal arts generalist here. I was a social worker pre-kids and a database analyst post-divorce......when I awaken each morning, I use whichever side of the brain clears up first
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| Feb 7 @ 5:46 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 18,615
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Primarily right-brained according to the tests, but I've been a computer analyst and database designer, and a pretty successful one, for most of my life...go figure
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| Feb 9 @ 11:45 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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signme
Posts: 12,588
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I'd like to do something with animals, maybe a pet-sitting business, small pets only. But right now, it's only a thought. I'd like to work a few more years before retiring.
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| Mar 28 @ 5:49 AM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities
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daisy315
Posts: 4,946
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I need to find something "home-based".. I don't think my body is gonna hold out much longer.
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| Mar 29 @ 11:53 PM |
Home Businesses - possibilities and realities |
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signme
Posts: 12,588
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Daisy I hear that! My arthritis pain has been the worst it's ever been since Christmas. Even typing hurts! So instead of several more years teaching I think it will be one more. They say you need about 6 months to prepare all the paper work etc to retire so can't do it for next year. Too late. Next Oct. or Nov will start on the paperwork. However once I do retire I will have to find something else for a few years.
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