Kighlyn Drians

[Imoutgoodbye]

Well, I'm gonna miss you guys. Pretty cool, though. Finished the way I started. With a Human DK. Both deleted at about the same level.

But my first one was deleted due to frustration. This one was deleted due to RL life issues.

And with that said, I'm going to miss you guys. I know you'll be here waiting for when I return, but when will that be?

I've finally decided I have to grow up and stop chasing silly dreams like college. With one piece of junk car, no extra money in the budget for gas, and nothing left over after paying tuition and pricing out books with my financial aid, I realize that the poor will always be poor. Nothing I ever do or think of will be enough to even get me to the middle class. I make $12k per year currently, which puts me well below the poverty line, especially with a wife and kid. Every time I try to turn the corner, I hit the brick wall. I've dropped my classes as I can't even go back and forth to them.

So, without further ado, I have lined up two interviews for me so far today and I will be taking on a second job. I'll be working 60+ hours per week and getting very little sleep, hoping that I will at least be able to find some time to spend with my family between sleeping and working. It's the only thing I have left to look forward to before my eternal rest.

I'm actually quite sad. The only thing I can do is try to provide enough money for my family and then die. Makes me want to go hang myself.

Well, hopefully after the kid starts going to school, the wife will pick up a job and I can stop working two. Maybe I'll see you in four or five years FL.

[Nomak]

At least you are not living in Bulgaria.

[Dead Voodoo Doll]

dude

[f0xx]

Valek, my student mates go on work excursion to the US during the summer and come back with 10k in 3-4 months... why don't you just get a new job? If a stupid bulgarian who can't even say his name in english can make that much in such time why can't you?

[Croyvern]

Valek, take a long deep breath. PM me, I know what you need to do. I can teach anyone to make 50-70k per year, no sales, just honest to GOD hard freaking work. There are three industries you need to look into. 1) Tankers. Those roughneck bastards climbing 150 feet in the air to build water tanks, lots of travel required, average wekly pay 1800 dollars. 2) Communications. Those stoned hippy bastards hooking up satelites and cable television across this country, a truck may be needed, average weekly pay 1000 dollars. 3) Car Sales. Its not as dificult as you think, if your not good at it you will stop in a month(be fired), if you have a talent for talking to people, you will do very well, average weekly pay 2000+ dollars. Not One of these requires a degree, you are making a mistake Rev, go to college to be better than you are, not to make more money. I out earn my wife regularly, she has three degrees, I have 9 credit hours. And people told me philosophy would not pay. Bah!

[KRins]

I got nothing but love for you Rev. It is always darkest before the dawn. I can't pretend to have a grasp on your situation, but never give up on that mentality "There has got to be something better than this and I'm gonna get it!"

[Grim_Reefer]

Dude. Honestly? Get a truck, mow lawns, power wash windows/decks/driveways/parking lots, haul **** that trash companies won't pick up to the dump for people, clean pools, anything that people will pay to have done because they're too lazy.

A)You will make as much money as you are willing to work for.

B)None of the above is hard and essentially is just gas+labor as an overhead expense... the rest of whatever you decide to charge is profit.

C)What, buy some lawn equipment and a powerwasher? Drop a little money and make some money.

You live in America, stop working for the man and work for yourself.

[kaboomer]

The poor can break out. I never lived in a house growing up. My mom, sister, and I moved to and from various trailers and apartments. Now I'm buying my own house, and it won't be too long before I can buy my mom one too.

It just takes a ton of hard work and a few lucky breaks. They'll come. Just stay faithful, Rev.

[Anume]

Wish you good luck, Valek. Don't give up so easily.

[Croyvern]

Dude. Honestly? Get a truck, mow lawns, power wash windows/decks/driveways/parking lots, haul **** that trash companies won't pick up to the dump for people, clean pools, anything that people will pay to have done because they're too lazy.

A)You will make as much money as you are willing to work for.

B)None of the above is hard and essentially is just gas+labor as an overhead expense... the rest of whatever you decide to charge is profit.

C)What, buy some lawn equipment and a powerwasher? Drop a little money and make some money.

You live in America, stop working for the man and work for yourself.

:)

[mya]

I make $12k per year currently' date=' which puts me well below the poverty line ...[/quote']

You know, that would place you in the middle class in my country.

But you are right, you do not need a degree to make money.

You also do not need to work 60h per week. What you need is a new job.

I would get a second job, and try to get connections to drop your main one and change into a profitable one.

I understand you, like if pretty hard this day. My car is 20 years old, eats up three times as much gas as a normal car and I have no money to fill it up.

There are no jobs, and my country is on the path to bankruptcy.

But one must hope for the best.

Best of luck Valek.

[f0xx]

You know' date=' that would place you in the middle class in my country. [/quote']

And in the higher class in mine

[Croyvern]

And in the higher class in mine

I could make 12k in less than a month. Its not who you know, its what you know. I can walk down a street, in any town, and see money to be made. Just like Grim said, people are lazy. See that raggedy roof on the house across the street? Offer to reroof it. Supplies = (your out)11-1500 dollars (take out a short term loan) Tell your neighbor to get the insurance quote (likely to be 38-5600 dollars. Order a roll off to be delivered(your out 500 dollars). I can do a house in a week alone, and profit 2000 dollars. If I go to labor ready, for another 800 dollars, I can get me some slave labor and complete two houses. taking my weekly profit to >3200 dollars.(supplies cost less in bulk so 2 houses cost 150% of one house.) And thats just looking at the neighbor's roof. Oh My, fellow while I am doing this roof, I have to tell you, you should really look into upgrading those storm windows. The right kind of windows can save you on insurance costs, not to mention the cash your throwing out heating and cooling the yard.

Rev do not give up, its not the man holding you down, its your mindset. Rev, I know that you need a shift in your career choice, and we have never shook hands. Trust me, trust in yourself, and hold on to this.

Blessed be.

[f0xx]

Lol Croyvern, who would trust someone who has never repaired a roof before? You speak like it's some child's play... people study for years till they learn how to do it properly (and some might really believe it is).

[Croyvern]

Somewhere my friend way back in history, every roofer in your local town, did his FIRST job. And, you can bet almost everything, he did NOT tell that customer it was his first job. One will never walk if they fear the first step, if you refuse to learn to walk, the mountain before you will always be overdaunting. Take a step, believe in yourself. And, if it helps you sleep at night, put your personal garauntee on it, tell the customer to call you if they have any troubles. Give them your cell number. And people WILL pay someone who has never done it, if they will save enough money. Look for rent houses in the beginning, and contact the landlords. If roofing scares you offer to paint the house. I have done everything involved in the construction of a house, from digging the foundation to fourth story roofing. I have been self employed for the greater part of my adult life. I tried a job once, the first day I made 80 dollars. I went home and told my wife I made 80 dollars, she screamed. "80 dollars for eight hours? You can't work 24hrs a day what are we going to do!". Yeah, so I did just what I told you all to do. I walked down the street and wrote down everything I could see that needed done, organized them in order of which I knew best and could complete the fastest. Then I started doing the part that will stop most of you, I got off of my arse and went and asked my neighbors if they had considered paying someone to do these things on my list. "People study for years" .... Ever known a roofer? They only thing roofers study for years is beer cans and the constitution of the US so they can become citizens. Expert Roofer is like Jumbo Shrimp its an Oxxymoron.

[f0xx]

snip

I don't know about most, but I would never trust and pay someone who I know nothing about, or whom I know has never done this before. Even if he is my bestest friend and offers to repair it if something gets broken. I like things to be kept professional (hell I don't even know how a broken roof looks like), but I guess you are right. People would do anything to save money.

If you can persuade people into trusting you like that, perhaps reparing rooves is not the exact profession for you.

And while we are on the subject, go watch "The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)". Valek, this goes especially for you.

[Kyzarius]

I wouldnt say people pay because they are lazy, well some are, but dont be a jerk and lump everyone up.

I own some rental properties, and I pay my wifes cousins husband to do all the maintanence..basically I am helping them out since he lost his job in the recession. He also does all the yardwork for us for a decent $ a month. Of course, I also know he has a background in construction and especially plumbing (BIG need for any landlord)

As far as highering people who have never done something before. If you lied to me and told me you knew how to do something, and I paid you nd you failed at it...man if I found out you lied I would not pay you and sue your broke *** for every penny I lost. Nobody with half a brain is going to hire anyone without checking some references first. Maybe you got lucky and found your idiot Croyvern, but I doubt very seriously thats as common as your implying

As far as your situation Valek, man people are right. If your motivated to get out there and do the work landscaping pays very well, so does pool maintanence depending on where you live. Going into buisness for yourself can be chllenging and seem scary, but the reward is massive...and the satisfaction that your in control of your life is wel worth it.

[Twinblades713]

I'm going to agree with Kyzarius mainly on the self business aspect. My dad has a degree, but his job comes with ABSOLUTELY no need for schooling and he makes enough. Private foster care for adults, you have to be in the right state of mind to deal with them, but it's just an example. Find something you really think you can pour your spirit into. If you even begin to succeed, it will be more than worth it, and more often than not you will not have to blow your life trying to break even. Sixty hours a week is brutal. Just scour the interwebs for some ideas, get creative, you can do it.

[Nikodemus]

go watch "The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)"

There are people who haven't seen this masterpiece?

[Croyvern]

Kyzarius, you are right not all are lazy. But the reasons people have for paying are insignifigant, the fact is people will pay. And for the record, I made my first 10k at seventeen renting carpet cleaners and cleaning carpets for twenty dollars a room. It took all summer to make the money, but I was one 5' fellow who weighed 78 lbs pulling a wagon with a rented steamcleaner around the neighborhood. So my generalization of people being lazy has been twenty years in the cultivation process. The pont is, You have to make your life better, it is no one elses priority. And Kyzarius, I have been sued several times, I have never been ordered to pay by the court. Contracts, verbal or written, protect the contractor. I stand behind my work, but I have had many experiences with land owners who "told themselves" I would do more than I told them I would do verbally or in writing. Being a land owner you know well, that when your talking to a contractor, repeat everything he says he will do, and get it in writing. I take the extra step and make people like you sign my initial to do list. Then when you say "you claimed you would do this". I can pull out the paper and say, no, no I did not say that. You people talk like roofing a house is rocket science. Next time you see a roofing job being done, humor me, ask the crew which one of them is state certified. They will tell you the boss will be back in a little while, and scramble for their cell phones to get a certified man on the job site. In America, only the company has to be certified, the man doing the work ussually is not. If you live south of the Mason Dixon line the workers rarely have green cards, or any other proof of elligibility. How do I know? I am certified in three states to do electrical. heating, and plumbing. The guys I get at labor ready to dig my holes, build concrete forms, and carry shingles to the roof are not. Does that mean I can not let them swing a hammer to pound in the nails? No, by law only the company has to be certified. And a certified employee is only necessary during certain stages of the job, so most companies reserve these employees and let unskilled workers perform most tasks. If you believe Stanley Steamer got the customers carpet cleaner than I did just because the man had a uniform and a van then, well I can not help you. Its not looking for an Idiot to get started, its all about believing in yourself and what you are capable of. I am capable of saving the millions of baby boomers thousands of dollars, may they line up down the street until I die. JMO

[f0xx]

And for the record' date=' I made my first 10k at seventeen renting carpet cleaners and cleaning carpets for twenty dollars a room.[/quote']

You know, I would throw my degree in a bucket if I can clean carpets for 20 dollars a room. I mean, what kind of an idiot are you to pay that much for such a job?

As for the roof repairing thing, I thought we were talking about single man working here, not a whole company? You might not need a certificate if you work in a company, but no comapny is going to hire you and pay you as well as you claim if all they want you to do is a swing a hammer. And nooone with half a brain is going to hire you directly (as a single person) if they ain't got at least some references.

I agree with the fact that self motivation is the most important thing here, but if things were as easy as you make them out, everyone would be a millionaire now.

[Croyvern]

I am old, I do not like to work hard anymore. I learned a long time ago how to get others to do it. But, it is this easy. Its like Grim said, most people are too lazy, and BTW stanley steamer charges thirty dollars a room, floors only, for twenty dollars I also did the furniture, So people were getting a great deal. Regardless, this will not work for most people for the reason that they lack the self motivation. Just like those of you who let your characters rot at 40-42 because you can not find a group, there are those too lazy to climb a mountain alone. I , Thank God, do not suffer from this fraudulant philospohy, I am willing to make my own way up any hill, and will not blame others for my own short commings. I have taken my career by the horns and wrestled it down, and only hoped to help some of you who seem to be struggling. 12k a year, is not a livable wage. Oh it may feed you, might even keep the lights on, but its not going to gather you the satisfaction you truly seek. Even those others here who are self employeed, while they may not have my skills, and may think things are harder than I say, they will tell you, working for someone else, is just paid slavery. You trap yourself. Somewhere along the way I learned to use people like you, lucky for them all, I tell them how to get away from me and strike out on their own. Ussually because I get tired of hearing my employees whine with the same crap I have read here today. I know I have helped many families to lift themselves out of poverty. You do not have to roof a house, it was an example, ONE thing I have done. Its absolutely easy, takes almost no experience, but then, I pay attention to my surroundings, I look how things are put together. I supose many of you take things like common utilities for granted, I grew up on a farm, things broke we had to fix them, there was no repairman coming. Not tomorow, not next week, do it yourself or go without. By the time I left home at 16, I Had roofed the barn twice, and replaced the elecrical wires from the road to the house. Was I gifted with experience? NO, my brother is an idiot, and he grew up on the same farm. But he is lazy. As for everyone being millionaires, fat chance, I can make 1000 dollars a day, and my wife and kids would find a way to spend 1200. Just life. Greater income = Greater debt, in america we all somehow fail to remember to live within our means.

[L-A]

Croyvern is quite correct in that self motivation is one of the most important things to possess in life. A wise man once told me:

If everyday you take one more step towards your goal you will be unstoppable.

I have come to believe this.

L-A

[Imoutgoodbye]

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and advice. It's a lot more complicated than it appears, given my dependence on state aid and my knee/back issues.

Right now I'm just going to settle into a second job and start grinding my way towards better finances.

[Dead Voodoo Doll]

You need to move dude. Go to the south, cost of living is way easier to deal with. Construction doesn't come to a halt for months out of the year, they're a million things you can do.

And Croyvern is right man. So right.