What am I missing? What am I missing.... I would like to earn more.

Ever since I got married, and especially ever since my daughter was born, I've been thinking of ways to make more money. It's not really about materialism or luxury - I honestly hardly make enough to cover the basic costs of life - food, shelter, electricity and all. ( around 20 grand a year if you care to know.)

That being said, I've wanted to make more. I've wished for it, hoped for it.. And even worked towards it. I've looked into things, I've attempted things.. Yet nothing seems to stick.

I can't find what I really can be good enough at, or what I can build upon to increase my income.

I've learned and practiced computer programming for years now, but to no real avail. Tougher concepts still make no sense - I can practice said concepts over and over if I have a template to work off of, but I can never seem to make anything unique.

Manual labor I'm okay at, but not someone you'd hire - not in these parts where guys in their fifties and sixties run circles around me in every aspect of manual labor.

Entrepreneurship, working for myself.. I just don't know where to start, what to do, what service to offer - you read online articles that tell you to look for your talents, notice what other people go to you for.. People don't come to me for anything.

Anyways I could go on and on, but I won't. This isn't really a pity me thread like the other, but a real call for help, because the help offered to me before, while it sounded great.. Just didn't seem to click for me.

Any suggestions for a guy who seems to be perpetually in a rut? I'm willing to try a lot of things by now. I could go to college - the thing I imagine I'd go for is computer programming, but like I say, tougher concepts elude me even years after practicing, studying, memorizing, theorizing.. Etc. So I'm not sure if college would just magically force such things into me in ways I have not been able to do with online courses and such so far.

What do you think?

College?
Entrepreneurship?
Multiple jobs and just work hard?

a reply to: deadlyhope

Elderly people are always in need of a handy man. Weeding mowing changing light bulbs.......The list is endless. Get some basic tools, and start knocking on doors, literally.

You will make very good money and will be helping people too.

What state do you live in? Are you in or close to a large city or are you in the sticks?

a reply to: TheAlleghenyGentleman

Utah, I'm on the outskirts of the sticks haha. =/

a reply to: deadlyhope

Are you in the US?

I know in New England this social media site called Front Porch Forum is a free way to advertise your services or reach out to the local community.

Supplement this with Craigslist and similar platforms of that nature.

Seriously consider your "customer base" and target them accordingly.

Consider a 1-year certificate program in computer science, or some other accredited program where you can invest in yourself and add to your toolbelt + marketability.

Maybe even just getting a Commercial Driver's License and finding a driving job

Just a few thoughts from your friend FamCore! You can do it, just be creative and persistent and focus on what's at the other end of that tunnel - you will get to "the light", it all starts with a single baby step in the right direction!

a reply to: seasonal

Not a bad thought - lots of old people do live in around here. You'd be surprised how long people stay independent, though - 94 year old man was still growing his own garden and even doing the manual labor like pushing the furrower. He recently passed due to a car accident.

Tons of people in their seventies still do the same, and plenty in their eighties. I think I could find some, though - but my town has a population of 150.

a reply to: deadlyhope

This is the opinion of someone who established a solid career path for 10 years, while growing up with next to nothing.

It felt good to achieve financial reward for lots of hard work and effort, but it is not worth the stress, if it is in part or all stressful. If you work for monetary reward, your passions will always tug on your sleeves and you will continuously bounce back and forth between enjoying the money that comes with hard work and life balance.

How I progressed on from it? 1st, I realized that employees are 50% workers. That means... whatever salary you are paid, you will only be able to use 50%... taxes in the U.S. are some of the most extreme on the planet. So, I began to spend time doing things that make me happy. And from that, I found that I don't even care about the money attached... I'd gladly wake up at 3 A.M. for my areas of interest, simply to help someone else out. The basic needs get met along the way, and often the passions can brew into the next Microsoft or Google.

One thing that is unique to people that are financially successful I noticed... is that they don't debate things, or spend much time planning. They don't write threads about how to get somewhere... they are the one's writing the code so they can collect ad revenue while you think things over.

a reply to: FamCore

Yeah that's my issue - I don't know what service to offer. This place is high on tourism, but that means plenty of people do anything that has to do with tourism from cleaning to property management.

I'm not sure how to make myself unique. I could be the local IT guy, but the people with the large network in the area and the most business likely use huge companies for such things.

a reply to: ttobban

Yeah, I'm not really one to just act - and I'm not saying that's a good thing. I think... And think, and think. Then, I realize that had I spent that time taking various actions, I very well would be somewhere different.. If not also better.

Problem is I also don't know what various actions entail.

The medical cannabis industry is booming in many states. In Northern California, tons of people are supplementing their income with legal, small scale backyard grows. My neighbor grows a dozen plants per growing season and makes 25-30 grand in "play money."

a reply to: deadlyhope

It sounds like that first step is investigating what you are proficient at and what is feasible and profitable.

You mentioned manual labor - and that you're in Utah. I'm not familiar with Utah's climate/seasons but here in Vermont shoveling snow, raking leaves, mowing lawns are all pretty in-demand services.

Dog walking, house sitting, various landscaping projects.. just a few thoughts.

You will find something that works, just don't give up and be creative. If something doesn't work out move on to the next thing on your list. If all else fails come back to ATS and some brilliant minds here can possibly help you re-evaluate. Wishing you the very best - feel free to U2U me if you want to mull anything over

a reply to: deadlyhope

I have a friend who makes bank off elance.

All the suggestions above will make you pocket money or a modest living at best
If Im hearing you right you dont need to be filthy rich just well off enough that lifes necessities are a financial non event.

You need an idea and then just as importantly you need a plan.

Look at your circumstances, are you willing to move or do you want to stay where you are?
Do you have access to resources to help you set something up?
Do you have any contacts that can help you either as potential customers/clients or referees?
What do you want to do/what would make you happy to do?

Sadly without money to begin with making money is almost impossible (Im not talking about having a job with an income).
But even without money it is possible to build something that will turn into a significant revenue stream.

Ive previously worked as a consultant helping people set up their own business and even consulted to the worlds largest consjlting company (Action Coach).
Id be more than willing to have a chat with you if your serious aboit doing something.

My fee is a beer when you make your 1st 100k

P.s 1000's of people think like you but only a handfull do anything about it.
Youve made the first step, follow through and dont falter. If being financially free and independant was an easy ride then everyone would be

a reply to: Tuomptonite

I am somewhat willing to move for sure.

Jokes on me, though - I live in Utah which will likely allow cannabis when North Korea has a representative democracy.

a reply to: FamCore

Your suggestions are great in my opinion but seem to fit into a city more, I live in a tiny town where such manual labor would be worth pennies to people that happily do it themselves - we have cowboys and gardeners and manual laborers all over the place. I just don't know that I can offer doing menial tasks for a good amount of money.

Window Cleaning Business

Courier Service

Poop Patrol Service

Pressure Washing Service

Painting Service

Handyman Service

etc

etc

ETA: I see you mention location is an issue. Perhaps its time to move somewhere that is booming.

a reply to: IkNOwSTuff

I'm willing to move, prefer not to but I'm open.

Few thousand dollars at best.. Not much money to invest, I'd be willing to take out a loan ( I actually consider building a vacation rental out here) but a business loan would not as likely be approved.

The vacation rental idea is one I might just go through with. It's not oodles of money, especially since there's a competitive market, but it'd pay off the mortgage and then some and be a good investment. It's a long-term situation, but better than nothing.

Not looking for anything quick, though - I realize I need to work hard and keep at it, and not expect huge returns from small amounts of work.

I've been very introverted until now - so I have nearly zero friends or contacts. I can build that up, but as I understand it, building such a circle is a huge feat itself.

I don't know what makes me happy - is another reason I'm stuck in a rut. I'm extremely altruistic and really wish I cold start a successful charity ( success measured by how many lives are impacted for the better) but that's not a realistic way to make money.

a reply to: eXia7

Yes, I am definitely considering moving, even if it's just to save enough money for a large down payment on a house out here. I despise the city with all my heart.. But sometimes when times get rough, you can't just sit back in your preferences ( I guess)

Maybe you could become a truck driver.

a reply to: deadlyhope

I would advise taking a test online... it's called the BOSI test. It's a test that identifies our workplace strengths... everyone is dominant in one of the 4 aspects (Builder-Optimizer-Specialist-Inventor = BOSI). Once you are able to identify your areas of expertise, try to pair up with a person that offsets your strengths.

I tested to be a dominant Inventor, with a secodary Specialist... therefore I would be best paired with a builder and optimizer to build a successful foundation of well covered aspects of business. Part of being a good leader and creator is to recognize where ones strengths and weaknesses are. I fully understand that I have poor results when it comes to building things, or fine tuning them... but a builder/optimizer that allows for my strengths to come about will have a product with better purpose.

I quit my career as soon as the economy took a dump. Everyone started clinging to every dollar and working for less, and I walked away from it all. I completely retaught myself how to live within my means, and not work to fill financial voids. More time then not, when I got big checks... I ended up looking for places to spend it... to compensate for the thought that I was spending half of my life for half of my salary.

You kind of hae to take hints and grab the opportunities you're offered along the way... that's the actions I am talking about. Like, if you got to speak with a mentor and that mentor mentions that they are speaking at a summit across the country. It shouldn't need to be said... you already idolize that person and they just said in an off manner to come to the summit. When you show up at that mentors feet when summit time comes and you reestablish acquaintances, then you are saying without words to that idol... that you are hungry and want more... not that it was a nice experience to temporarily meet them.