An Answer for Some...

[The Seeker]

Hi.

I've been visiting the QLC board for over a year on and off. I am definitely not in the same boat as those that post here - the opposite, in fact.

I never posted before because I knew I could very easily come across as arrogant but after reading so many posts that all have at their central core the same basic problem, I decided to post.

If you look over the many thousands of posts on QLC, you'll quickly notice that one of, if not THE central problem facing most of the people here is the realm of finance.

It is behind much of the misery and fear that people feel. What amazes me is that not once have I seen anyone propose the only satisfactory answer that will eliminate money from being the HUGE issue that it is in people's lives.

All of the advice offered simply echoes what the original posters are hung up on - namely finding a good job.

The truth is that you might as well go looking for the Loch Ness Monster.

The reality of the situation is that you need to stop looking for jobs and instead going out and making your fortune by running your own business.

I speak from experience. It's what I've done and all I see around me are people who work for someone else and are miserable. Sure, some people hide it better than others but the simple fact is that if I gave those people a few million dollars NONE of them would EVER go back to their jobs. They go simply because they feel they have no choice.

So if you are ever to find satisfaction and really eliminate financial sources of stress from your life - YOU MUST START A BUSINESS.

Every minute you avoid this fact you are simply continuing the cycle of pain .

I remember laying in bed when I was seventeen in the mornings before getting up for school. I burned with anger and determination that one day NO ONE would make me get up go anywhere. I would control my destiny.

To make a long story very short, I followed through on that promise to myself and after a long struggle, finally became a millionaire. I had to learn a lot about the world in the process but now I can honestly say that money is not much of an issue in my life.

I do what I want when I want and I just want you to know that the answers you are seeking are indeed out there.

You just have to think outside the box and realize that a having a job will only make you a wage slave for the rest of your life.

Remember that Life will pay any price you ask of it.

Do not settle for a pittance.

[Manhattanx170]

I totally agree. Unforunately, I have to pay my dues first before I can really put my time and efforts into the business I wish to run. In 3-5 years I should be able to have my business operational, until then I have to settle with the "grind" and be content that the future holds a bright light.

[and1grad]

I'm waiting for the part that tells me where I can buy the dvd and/or attend the seminar so that I can learn how to become a millionaire too. :googly:

[pisces2473]

I'm waiting for the part that tells me where I can buy the dvd and/or attend the seminar so that I can learn how to become a millionaire too. :googly:
Me too. I was waiting for it, as I scrolled down. This guy should talk to HereComes30.

[canela]

I'm waiting for the part that tells me where I can buy the dvd and/or attend the seminar so that I can learn how to become a millionaire too. :googly:

ditto here too

[SpaceMonkey]

So if you are ever to find satisfaction and really eliminate financial sources of stress from your life - YOU MUST START A BUSINESS.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

I think the ridiculousness of this statement is obvious, so I won't comment further, other than to say that 80% of new businesses fail (http://www.umich.edu/news/index.html?Releases/2006/Aug06/r082306). So clearly, running your own business does not eliminate financial sources of stress.

[canela]

You are right there... I did run my own business for a while, and eventually gave it up for financial stability. While it can be very rewarding, it can also be the worlds longest migraine! :eek:

[Manhattanx170]

For those who do eventually have a successful business, after the 5 year period, and if they love and are passionate about the business they are in, they are the people living their dreams, and loving it. I would be if I were in that position, nothing would make me happier. And another statistic, the reason why 95% of these businesses fail in the first 5 years of operation is generaly due to the lack of business planning and proper research. It certainly is possible, but damn tough.

[kdhmps]

Self-employment may be the answer for some, but not for all. Many of us don't have the "nest egg" at this stage in life to take such a risk... Many of us don't have the support or resources to be without a steady paycheck for any extended period of time while establishing a business. The world has just become an increasingly more complicated and more expensive place, particularly for those who don't come from money to begin with...

[winneythepooh7]

You are right there... I did run my own business for a while, and eventually gave it up for financial stability. While it can be very rewarding, it can also be the worlds longest migraine! :eek:

Sing it. My fiance has his own business, and honestly, I just wish he'd give it up already. I know that's not supportive, but his business is the biggest cause of stress and strife in my life right now. I am afraid I am going to have to turn into "that girl", but he will be having responsibilities over the next few years, and needs to make a decision if it's in his best interest to remain a struggling business owner. It's really frustrating seeing someone work harder then every other person out there I know, yet not having anything financially to show for it.

[winneythepooh7]

HA! The fiance just called. His shop got broken into last night and they stole a couple thousand dollars worth of his tools. Happy fuckin' Thanksgiving. And people want to own their own business, WHY???!!!!!!!!!!!

[PenforPrez]

HA! The fiance just called. His shop got broken into last night and they stole a couple thousand dollars worth of his tools. Happy fuckin' Thanksgiving. And people want to own their own business, WHY???!!!!!!!!!!!

((((((((((((((((((((Winney)))))))))))))))))))

I'm so sorry hun. Is any of it insured? That sure is a nasty post-Thanksgiving surprise.

Paul

[winneythepooh7]

((((((((((((((((((((Winney)))))))))))))))))))

I'm so sorry hun. Is any of it insured? That sure is a nasty post-Thanksgiving surprise.

Paul

Not sure. I know that the guy they rent their space from has spent thousands in security cameras and such so maybe that will turn up something. One can only hope!

[Manhattanx170]

Damn, that sucks, sorry to hear about it, hope it both works out for you and him. And things sometimes happen for a reason, we might not know why, but this could be a blessing in disguise....Good luck!

[shimma]

Oh jeez Winney... I'm sorry... I hope M doesn't take a financial hit for that. :(


OP - Finances aren't anything close to my main source of stress. They're not even a blip on my stress radar.

Health problems and the deaths of 2 immediate family members triggered my QLC/angst/discontentment with my life, and continue to make up about 95% of my misery. Would that piddly little green peices of paper, that are easily obtained through hard work, were my only problem, I'd kiss the fucking ground. How do you suggest I "buy" my way out of that?

[Winter Storm]

HA! The fiance just called. His shop got broken into last night and they stole a couple thousand dollars worth of his tools. Happy fuckin' Thanksgiving. And people want to own their own business, WHY???!!!!!!!!!!!

Aww, damn, winney, I'm sorry. That sucks. Does he have insurance for this type of thing?

[wordsmith]

I'm sure M has insurance. I'm also sure (from personal experience, my dad does the EXACT same thing M does and has most of my life) that the insurance company will investigate and try to make a case for not wanting to reimburse him significantly because of the depreciation of the tools and equipment, because all insurers are AWESOME about screwing over small business owners (particularly contractors, who, even if they have sterling, reputable characters, have a lot of negative press to overcome as cheats and scammers).

Anyhow, on to the OP...

..Had I no firsthand knowledge of the ins and out of small businesses, starting a business, running it yourself, etc. I might actually put some stock in what you have to say. "Fortunately" for me, I happened to grow up in a household where my mom and dad ran a business. I can tell you that we would have enjoyed TONS more in terms of financial security had this not been the case. Insurance alone has been a constant astronomical hit for 30+ years, something that would not have been the case had either of my parents had employer-provided packages to cover our family. They've never been able to afford to offer insurance to employees, which makes it hard to find good workers. The type of work is seasonal in nature in many regards, there are busy seasons and slow seasons, which makes for very lean times when jobs aren't as plentiful. Much more stable, much more regular income would have been something my family could have counted on, had my parents NOT run a business.

I don't say this for the benefit of the OP, but for the benefit of anybody who might be reading it and thinking that they ought to take the advice at face value.

[winneythepooh7]

Nope, he is not insured. *Sigh*.

[wordsmith]

If it's any consolation, the insurance is seriously practically worthless. He'd just have bee paying out of control premiums for crapola coverage, get screwed that way, and then have them drop him for making a claim.

[winneythepooh7]

If it's any consolation, the insurance is seriously practically worthless. He'd just have bee paying out of control premiums for crapola coverage, get screwed that way, and then have them drop him for making a claim.

I'm sure. I actually was just talking to his mom and dad and they suggested that he look into seeing if the guy they rent the space from (it's this guy's landscaping business) can file a claim through his insurance company and they be reimbursed that way. I mean, him and his partner go above and beyond for this guy, often losing $$$ along the way, that it's the least he can do IMO.

Perfect timing for stuff that can go wrong when you own your own small business, right?

[wordsmith]

There's never a good time to take a hit when it's that hand to mouth, but holidays are esp. harsh.

[shimma]

..Had I no firsthand knowledge of the ins and out of small businesses, starting a business, running it yourself, etc. I might actually put some stock in what you have to say. "Fortunately" for me, I happened to grow up in a household where my mom and dad ran a business. I can tell you that we would have enjoyed TONS more in terms of financial security had this not been the case. Insurance alone has been a constant astronomical hit for 30+ years, something that would not have been the case had either of my parents had employer-provided packages to cover our family.

Oh, I dunno, Wordy... my parents own a small business too, and the first couple years, when we were living in northern New England and struggling so much financially that we couldn't afford to heat our house in the winter... fantastic!

[pisces2473]

I'm sure. I actually was just talking to his mom and dad and they suggested that he look into seeing if the guy they rent the space from (it's this guy's landscaping business) can file a claim through his insurance company and they be reimbursed that way. I mean, him and his partner go above and beyond for this guy, often losing $$$ along the way, that it's the least he can do IMO.

Perfect timing for stuff that can go wrong when you own your own small business, right?
Oh jeez, Winney. I'm sooo sorry. I hope M gets a big job or some bills are paid by his clients soon.

He's not insured at all? For liability or anything???

PS. Ditto to what Words said about the bastard insurance companies...

[winneythepooh7]

Oh jeez, Winney. I'm sooo sorry. I hope M gets a big job or some bills are paid by his clients soon.

He's not insured at all? For liability or anything???

PS. Ditto to what Words said about the bastard insurance companies...

I think they have some basic policy. In one of his 30-second phone calls he said it wouldn't matter because they never wrote down the serial #'s of the tools stolen. *Sigh again*. Thank goodness his dad is retiring on 12/1. We've been saying for the longest that he is going to "volunteer" and do some of the managerial stuff they don't have time to do.

[wordsmith]

I think they have some basic policy. In one of his 30-second phone calls he said it wouldn't matter because they never wrote down the serial #'s of the tools stolen. *Sigh again*. Thank goodness his dad is retiring on 12/1. We've been saying for the longest that he is going to "volunteer" and do some of the managerial stuff they don't have time to do.

The make you inventory your tools as part of your basic insurance, most times.

[winneythepooh7]

The make you inventory your tools as part of your basic insurance, most times.

He should be home in a couple hours so I am sure I can get to the bottom of it then. This is what stresses me out so much. It's never ending. And I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel either, which I know is a horrible perspective to have. I know he is great at what he does, and loves this kind of work, but there just seem to be too many negatives over positives.

I think he needs to make a plan for right after we get married as to what he wants to do.

[shimma]

He should be home in a couple hours so I am sure I can get to the bottom of it then. This is what stresses me out so much. It's never ending. And I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel either, which I know is a horrible perspective to have. I know he is great at what he does, and loves this kind of work, but there just seem to be too many negatives over positives.

I think he needs to make a plan for right after we get married as to what he wants to do.

(((((WINNEY)))))

Hopefully he'll be able to make a plan for sooner. Sorry if I'm overstepping my bounds, but it sounds like this shit is wayyy too stressful for you both.

[pisces2473]

Winney, it sounds like he needs a day off just to get his business stuff straight--making sure he's got the right records, and all of that...god forbid this happens again...

[kdhmps]

Winney,

Maybe I missed something... Does your fiance own an auto repair business, by any chance? I am so sorry to hear about what happened, but on the subject of the struggling & self-employed... My father has been self-employed in the auto repair business for several years. It is not an easy business...

[winneythepooh7]

Winney,

Maybe I missed something... Does your fiance own an auto repair business, by any chance? I am so sorry to hear about what happened, but on the subject of the struggling & self-employed... My father has been self-employed in the auto repair business for several years. It is not an easy business...


No. Actually, construction. He does things like outdoor patios, roof-top decks, stone on the outside of houses, pergolas, outdoor grills, etc. His work was actually featured on a show on HGTV this past fall.

[kdhmps]

Winney,

Ahhh, okay, I am sorry about missing that detail... But nonetheless, self-employment can be stressful... And those sorts of things do happen; it is part of the downfalls of self-employment. I do hope things get better. I will keep you in my thoughts!

[ExestentialHaze]

There's never a good time to take a hit when it's that hand to mouth, but holidays are esp. harsh.

Statistics say that the holidays are most common for robbery/theft and murder

I feel sorry for you winny...that must really suck.

**hugs**

~Haze

[wordsmith]

They def. coincide with an increase in the suicide rate.