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I need ideas

EnglishGolfer

Talks a good game
Oct 3, 2005
845
1
I'm in desperate need of some inspiration from somewhere for a business I can set up on my own. I don't need to become a millionaire, I just want to earn enough to live on, but here is the big obstacle, I'm not a specialist at one particular thing. I'm not a handy person so that stuff is out of the window and so is web design and anything to do with finance.

Currently I manage a small Computer Aided Design office but I just want to get out of an office environment altogether. I've considered things from becoming a mobile car valeter to learning how to build dry stone walls, so I'm not averse to putting effort in. I'm sure there is something I've not considered. I even considered setting up a mobile swing analysis unit and going round to smaller golf clubs that don't have very good facilities.

I'm sorry if this thread sounds like a bit of a desperate plea, but that's probably 'cause it is ;).

No idea shall be mocked, all shall be welcome (awaits tumbleweed but it was worth a try)
 

mddubya

Hybrid convert
Nov 6, 2007
6,029
2
Gigolo? :laugh:

I'm not sure what a mobile valeter is, and not knowing what the economy is like there it would be hard for me to make any suggestions. If that what we call a mobile detailer/car washer, now would be a hard time to start something like that now here in the States. SWMBO used to take her car to get detailed, she actually started to wash it herself the other day. I had to finish it of course, but at least she did begin the job, :D
 
OP
EnglishGolfer

EnglishGolfer

Talks a good game
Oct 3, 2005
845
1
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Gigolo? :laugh:

In all seriousness, my wife and I were discussing me becoming an Escort just last month. There was a firm nearby wanting new men for their books, just to provide company for evenings out to female clients (no dodgy stuff!). Even though it would mean a free meal at a nice place followed by a decent wedge of cash at the end, we decided that it would just be too awkward.

I've gone with a firm that does TV/film extra work and just got the 1st job for them under my belt in a small film that's out in October over here, but it is all for charity so no money :(.

Other things I've considered are becoming a barber or a therapeutic masseur, clearly I have no real direction here
 

acarty

Future Pro!
Oct 13, 2007
425
1
It's tough over here right now matey. There's no jobs for normal people, so unless you've got a real good skill that someone needs, you're pretty much on a losing streak for the next few months. I reckon we have at least another 2 years before the economy comes back up, even though the recession is slowing...

One thing that's really easy to do is to set yourself up delivery driving. Rent a van, deliver stuff for companies. There's loads of companies that want owner drivers, so they work for themselves but own their own van (or rent OC).....

Beyond that, I really don't know what to suggest. As with anything, if you're prepared to put the hours in, then you'll do well. Maybe re-visit the escort idea... If you're a sociable chap, then I bet it's not as difficult as it sounds!
 

Adam Pettman

Well-Known Member
Nov 3, 2005
2,765
0
I was going to suggest going to uni but then I remembered its not as cheap to do that in england as it is up here.

If you're in a safe job, I really couldnt tell you to leave it for anything in these economic times.
 

limpalong

Mental Ward Escapee
Supporting Member
Oct 18, 2006
13,821
13,653
I forgot!
Country
United States United States
First... and most important... if you have a job in this difficult economic time, keep it!!!! Don't make an emotional decision that could become a financial disaster.

Seems like folks have this ever-present desire to drink and to flush. We have become a culture that expects to see water when we turn on the kitchen sink faucet. And, we expect the "other water" to disappear when we pull the flush handle of a toilet. Young, old... rich, poor... skinny, fat... no matter what race, religion, or political persuasion... we want good drinking water available in our homes and we want toilets in our homes.

I've spent 40 years either treating a water source and making it into good drinking water... or treating the raw sewage from municipalities and turning that into a failry clean water that is returned to the streams and rivers. In those 40 years, I've never been without work.

I started out building water/wastewater plants. It was good work... interesting work... but, I drempt of a "cushy" inside job. That happened and I spent over a decade in the confines of windows and secretaries and jetting here and there. Once "inside" for a while, the greener grass seemed to be in the pasture I had left behind. This past decade, I've had the benefits of a 300+ employee corporation... but, don't see anyone from corporate more than once or twice a year. I am autonomous, make my own schedule, and don't have to put up with inventorying my ball point pens and using the restroom on a schedule.

If you are looking at making a career change, I would highly recommend finding something in the utility field. In England, I believe you still have the private water companies like Thames and Severn Trent, etc. Find out what qualifications you would need to become some sort of field technician for them. Operate a plant for them. They, also, manufacture much of the plant equipment. Become a field tech for one of their process equipment lines. Oversee the contractors doing maintenance on the utility's projects. Find a place in a career field that will not diminish as long as we "drink it and dump it". In the younger days, had a tee shirt that read "Your S**t is My Bread and Butter!" Make it yours and you'll never go hungry.
 
OP
EnglishGolfer

EnglishGolfer

Talks a good game
Oct 3, 2005
845
1
  • Thread Starter
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  • #7
Limpalong - As coincidence would have it, I used to work for United Utilities over here inspecting water quality, the hours were ludicrously long and anti-social plus the money was very poor indeed. Thanks for your suggestion but I think you may be thinking of a pay level that I will never achieve (I like your belief in me though ;-)

Although I presently have a job, redundancies have been made and it looks like there are going to be more and I know for a fact that I will be on the next phase of them if they happen. Also I hate the job so I'm trying to view it in a positive light and use it as a time for change.

Keep the stuff coming chaps.
 

VtDivot

SLIGHTERED
Supporting Member
Apr 16, 2005
7,154
32
First... and most important... if you have a job in this difficult economic time, keep it!!!! Don't make an emotional decision that could become a financial disaster.

This is the best advice you have received so far. Gigalo? Barber? Let's be realistic.......
 

mddubya

Hybrid convert
Nov 6, 2007
6,029
2
This is the best advice you have received so far. Gigalo? Barber? Let's be realistic.......

I only suggested gigolo in an effort to make him see to keep the job he has. But if, as you say, you are about to be laid off as I was, then draw your unemployment, look for work, and take out a student loan and enroll in a continuing education program. Either a brick and mortar College, or Uni as ya'll call them. Or a online college, or even a vocational school.

The most important thing is to make lemon aid from the lemons life deals you. If you are about to lose your job, take this opportunity to improve yourself and your station in life. I would have never enrolled in school had I not been laid off. But now that I'm back in I'm really enjoying it. And when the economy does turn around, I'll be in line for a considerably better paying job than I had to begin with.


edit; I would not advise getting into trucking, or lorrie driving. The money is good yes, but the hours are horrible, too much time away from home. Not to mention the effects it has on the body. Unless you relish the idea of needing glasses, from squinting through a windshield, having a face full of wrinkles, same reason, and ending up with a prostrate the size of a grapefruit from sitting to much and bouncing up and down in the seat, avoid it like you would Swine Flu.
 
OP
EnglishGolfer

EnglishGolfer

Talks a good game
Oct 3, 2005
845
1
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  • #10
The reason I'm after something simple to keep me going on my own is because I can't afford to reduce my already rather low income. I have fancied studying to become a teacher for a while but I can't keep paying my mortgage and support my family on benefits. Presently I have cut everything back to the bare minimum of outgoings and due to everything having risen rapidly in price over the last few years (my gas and elec bill are now four times what they were four years ago!), we earn between £100 - £300 a month less than we have going out.

We are trying to sell our tiny house in order to buy another tiny house in a crappier area for less money which is depressing the hell out of me, hence me really needing to come up with an idea to keep us going when the inevitable happens.
 

Slingblade61

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Aug 26, 2004
6,046
129
I'm digging the Real Estate game over here so that may be an option.

Also, how about .....

Mortician? You'll never run out of work. ;)
 

mddubya

Hybrid convert
Nov 6, 2007
6,029
2
The reason I'm after something simple to keep me going on my own is because I can't afford to reduce my already rather low income. I have fancied studying to become a teacher for a while but I can't keep paying my mortgage and support my family on benefits. Presently I have cut everything back to the bare minimum of outgoings and due to everything having risen rapidly in price over the last few years (my gas and elec bill are now four times what they were four years ago!), we earn between £100 - £300 a month less than we have going out.

We are trying to sell our tiny house in order to buy another tiny house in a crappier area for less money which is depressing the hell out of me, hence me really needing to come up with an idea to keep us going when the inevitable happens.

I am really sorry to hear all that EG. Luckily for me, SWMBO is a nurse, so we are able to get by with just some belt tightening while I'm unemployed and in school. Granted, we aren't saving anything now, and the only way I can play golf now is to walk. Our ski boat has been broke all summer, but we haven't had to sell it yet, but life does go on.

I still suggest trying to find some way to get back in school and get yourself a Degree. Look into loans, grants, whatever it takes.
 
OP
EnglishGolfer

EnglishGolfer

Talks a good game
Oct 3, 2005
845
1
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
I'm digging the Real Estate game over here so that may be an option.

Also, how about .....

Mortician? You'll never run out of work. ;)

Real Estate really does interest me, but agents over here are going out of business at an alarming rate, hopefully weeding out the worst. I've been tapping up the agent selling my house to see if there are any vacancies, but due to the low rate of sales they are existing on a skeleton staff. My agent himself only started in the game about 7 years ago working for another, then branched off by himself since - an idea that appeals to me.

What's your deal with Real Estate Sling? Have you got something up and running or are you just someone who keeps an interested eye on the market like myself?

PS: My wife used to work at an undertakers and the tales she tells me aren't repeatable on a public forum.:shocked:
 
OP
EnglishGolfer

EnglishGolfer

Talks a good game
Oct 3, 2005
845
1
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
I am really sorry to hear all that EG. ..... I still suggest trying to find some way to get back in school and get yourself a Degree. Look into loans, grants, whatever it takes.

I think I got myself onto a bit of a downer with my last reply to you. Teaching grants / loans are the most favourable atm as the walk out rate of teachers is at an all time high despite the financial climate, but they would still only equate to about 30% of my present income and although a nice idea, just isn't feasible right now. :thumbs up:

Thanks for your efforts though, I appreciate it.
 

Slingblade61

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Aug 26, 2004
6,046
129
In the US you need 60 hours of training then a state test at the end. Once you pass the test you must affiliate with a broker. The brokers can be international Like Prudential and Sotheby's or a small boutique or family run brokerage.

I picked Prudential because of it's size and the training that is available. I need to be in the business for 2 years before I can become a broker myself.....more schooling and testing for that.
 

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