OK folks time has come.

[rustyshacklefor]

Due to my vision loss I am being forced to semi-retire. Now just needing to find a way to supplement my income. Not a lot, maybe 500.00. Gonna start selling free range eggs to local markets, but that wont be near enough. Thought about making the goat milk soap but it seems like everyone and their mother is doing that. So any ideas will help.

[Rustaholic]

Originally Posted by rustyshacklefor

Due to my vision loss I am being forced to semi-retire. Now just needing to find a way to supplement my income. Not a lot, maybe 500.00. Gonna start selling free range eggs to local markets, but that wont be near enough. Thought about making the goat milk soap but it seems like everyone and their mother is doing that. So any ideas will help.

What kind of work are you leaving?
How much land do you have?
What kind of tools and equipment do you have?

[kentuckyhippie]

do you grow any kind of herbs. sometimes healthfood stores will buy fresh herbs. or what about offering to clean up metal scrap for people in the community and selling it to a recycle place.

[farmgal]

Im in the same boat. Taxes are going up, I just cant do it anymore. I have decided to get a housemate. So far I have one lined up for summer, young college girl who advertised on craigslist. she is doing an 8 week intern for physical therapy at a local nursing home. she was grateful as all the other reply's to her add were in a bad city nearby. she is from the country lol It will be a trial run to see what we would need in a permanent housemate.


I'm also looking for idea's.

[rustyshacklefor]

Originally Posted by Rustaholic

What kind of work are you leaving?
How much land do you have?
What kind of tools and equipment do you have?

Currently doing plumbing, but also have done electrical and carpentry. Have all the tools to do all of the above. Have probably 5-6 acres of flat land.

[TnAndy]

If you're gonna do eggs and go to local markets to sell them, you might as well get into other stuff too. Built yourself a hoop house, start raising leaf lettuce, spinach, etc, and sell it too. People REALLY like greens. You can recycle the chicken poop into your beds. Also, consider 'worm ranching' if fishing bait is sold locally. The chickens can help out there too, along with newspaper scrap and any household garbage....they'll turn it all into profits.

Little more cost to set up, and you'll need help running it, but there is an Amish family here that brings a "donut" trailer to the local farmer's market, and local flea markets. Self contained trailer, about 8x16....they go from mixing the dough, to frying to dipping in sugar to selling right out of the same trailer......little bakery on wheels. They do WELL....I mean WELL !! Hot, fresh donuts are a real popular item....there is always a line.

There are a million and one ways out there to make money....some better than others of course....I've done it all my life, and never understood those folks that tied themselves to a job. The key is find a need, and fill it. You'd be amazed how many perceived 'needs' there are out there....ahahahaaa

[Terri]

My son is unemployed. Working together, we are going to raise the earliest sweet corn possible and sell it in the farmer's market. We might be able to raises as much as 200 dozen ears and sell them for $3.50 per dozen, and split the money. I will provide the tiller and other inputs because I already have most of them.

That means a gross of up to $700, which we will split evenly.

Unsold corn will go to our chickens or be given away.

MOSTLY I earn money by not spending it: I do not need to buy many vegetables if I have enough greens, bell peppers, onions and such. I increase my income by buying less.

[Tacoma]

If you are still able to do plumbing & electrical services, that is a great skill ! Do you have a local community paper that you can advertise your services in? Or on the locale cable TV in the area? I always hire local guys for these needed services.

[rustyshacklefor]

Originally Posted by Tacoma

If you are still able to do plumbing & electrical services, that is a great skill ! Do you have a local community paper that you can advertise your services in? Or on the locale cable TV in the area? I always hire local guys for these needed services.

I could still do it, if I could still drive. Due to my vision loss, I no longer have a lic.

[rags57078]

rusty did you get my message ?

[Brighton]

Originally Posted by Terri

My son is unemployed. Working together, we are going to raise the earliest sweet corn possible and sell it in the farmer's market. We might be able to raises as much as 200 dozen ears and sell them for $3.50 per dozen, and split the money. I will provide the tiller and other inputs because I already have most of them.

That means a gross of up to $700, which we will split evenly.

Unsold corn will go to our chickens or be given away.

MOSTLY I earn money by not spending it: I do not need to buy many vegetables if I have enough greens, bell peppers, onions and such. I increase my income by buying less.

How old is your son, and can he drive?

[rustyshacklefor]

Originally Posted by rags57078

rusty did you get my message ?

I did and Im gonna try some your ideas.

[deaconjim]

Originally Posted by rustyshacklefor

Due to my vision loss I am being forced to semi-retire. Now just needing to find a way to supplement my income. Not a lot, maybe 500.00. Gonna start selling free range eggs to local markets, but that wont be near enough. Thought about making the goat milk soap but it seems like everyone and their mother is doing that. So any ideas will help.

Unfortunately, I have no good advice to offer. I am facing the same prospect in the not so distant future, so I am VERY interested to see any suggestions you might get on this thread.

[Brighton]

Originally Posted by deaconjim

Unfortunately, I have no good advice to offer. I am facing the same prospect in the not so distant future, so I am VERY interested to see any suggestions you might get on this thread.

Are you learning to read Braille? If not you and the OP should be, like tomorrow, you could teach, work with other blind students.

Or you could go on disability?

[Terri]

Originally Posted by Brighton

How old is your son, and can he drive?

He is 19, and no he cannot. He only has his permit.

We will be practicing this summer!

[Jolly]

I wonder how bad your eyesight is? Many states will still let you drive, but put stipulations such as "Daytime Only" on a license.

Or maybe you could hire a young man as a laborer when you need one, and let him drive your vehicle (and you) to the job. Lots of folks want somebody to hang a couple of light fixtures, put in a new door or plumb a new commode or faucet.

If you have access to cheap feed, or can grow some of your own feed, I've never lost money with hogs. A roast shoat down here goes for $1/lb on the hoof and the kill/clean charge is $30. For example, a 65lb pound pig brings $95.

And it may not be this way every year, but guys are getting $200/cord for firewood down here and that's with the buyer picking it up.

Wish I could think of a few more things...

[ronbre]

try to think of things that aren't going to cost you an arm and a let..You might do work for council on aging, sitting with or helping old or disabled people..it pays minimum wage..and is generally parttime and will fit your schedule..also tutoring children is often needed.

[fishhead]

Originally Posted by Terri

My son is unemployed. Working together, we are going to raise the earliest sweet corn possible and sell it in the farmer's market. We might be able to raises as much as 200 dozen ears and sell them for $3.50 per dozen, and split the money. I will provide the tiller and other inputs because I already have most of them.

That means a gross of up to $700, which we will split evenly.

Unsold corn will go to our chickens or be given away.

MOSTLY I earn money by not spending it: I do not need to buy many vegetables if I have enough greens, bell peppers, onions and such. I increase my income by buying less.

A dollar saved is a dollar earned. Actually a dollar saved is a dollar PLUS earned because there are no taxes taken out and less time spent.

If you really want to get a jump on early corn try starting it early. When I lived in AK we were able to raise sweet corn by planting started plants. They were 2/small pot and a foot tall.

Originally Posted by Terri

My son is unemployed. Working together, we are going to raise the earliest sweet corn possible and sell it in the farmer's market. We might be able to raises as much as 200 dozen ears and sell them for $3.50 per dozen, and split the money. I will provide the tiller and other inputs because I already have most of them.

That means a gross of up to $700, which we will split evenly.

Unsold corn will go to our chickens or be given away.

MOSTLY I earn money by not spending it: I do not need to buy many vegetables if I have enough greens, bell peppers, onions and such. I increase my income by buying less.

I'm in a rural area & we know someone that plants sweet-corn to sell . They sell for $5.00 a dozen & sell piles of it .

[deaconjim]

Originally Posted by Brighton

Are you learning to read Braille? If not you and the OP should be, like tomorrow, you could teach, work with other blind students.

Or you could go on disability?

The thought has occured to me that I should learn Braille, but I keep putting it off. I hope I have a few years to go before that becomes necessary, but there's nothing wrong with an early start.

It's still a bit soon for disability, and I'd rather avoid it altogether if I can.