Martivir
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Joined: Jan 1, 2011 11:56:36 GMT -5
Posts: 303
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Post by Martivir on Mar 26, 2011 11:15:09 GMT -5
I've hit a point financially that I'm tired of what I've got. I'm tired of being dependent on DH and the rules I have with receiving disability. DH is still unemployed. And it's driving me nuts that I'm still having enough problems that I can't just go out and take any old job to help bring in more income. I have an idea that I can do from home and I'm working on fine tuning it right now. I am thinking of opening an online shop for handmade items.
I know that I'm going to need to find out the laws in my state, tax codes, and make a business plan. Oh and I'm going to need a work space. Am I missing anything? I'm hoping to get everything up and running by the Christmas season.
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Martivir
Established Member
Joined: Jan 1, 2011 11:56:36 GMT -5
Posts: 303
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Post by Martivir on Mar 26, 2011 11:38:23 GMT -5
Once I figure out if this is will work there is a ticket to work program with my disability. The truth is that right now the only reason I haven't just called and said I don't need it anymore is because we need the money. I can't have savings in my name, I can't contribute to retirement, and I'm already in danger of losing it. I'm up for review soon and I know someone that lost theirs even though working a full time job is not helping their health condition.
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jitterbug
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Joined: Jan 4, 2011 18:14:48 GMT -5
Posts: 379
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Post by jitterbug on Mar 27, 2011 7:32:13 GMT -5
First of all, congratulations on trying to get off of disability! However, like others have warned, I would check out whether anything you do will affect your disability until you are ready to roll with this idea.
Second - have you ever checked out etsy.com? I understand it's a website for hand crafted items - maybe you could just sell your product thru there for a while, until you find out whether you have a market for your product.
Third...as a small business, realize that you will have to spend money in the beginning to make money. We have a new retail shop in our town who has not spent money on a sign or on any advertising. Other than the bridalwear in the window, how is anyone supposed to know who or what they are?? I expect them to be gone within 6 months. On the other hand, another retail shop has created fun window displays and got a great (free) article put in the paper about their store. They are now expanding!
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Martivir
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Joined: Jan 1, 2011 11:56:36 GMT -5
Posts: 303
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Post by Martivir on Mar 27, 2011 10:35:21 GMT -5
I've checked into it already. I can earn up to $720 a month without losing my disability. I was planning on selling through Esty. The hope is to make a little extra, not turn this into a full time job. I honestly hate being on disability. I really do. I got sick when I was 20. Worked till I was 23. I'm 28 now. I feel this is something I need to do. Sure I'm not going to get rich making and selling homemade cat toys but I'll have some pride back.
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phil5185
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Joined: Dec 26, 2010 15:45:49 GMT -5
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Post by phil5185 on Mar 27, 2011 11:17:18 GMT -5
I honestly hate being on disability. I really do. I got sick when I was 20. Worked till I was 23. I'm 28 now. I feel this is something I need to do. Sure I'm not going to get rich making and selling homemade cat toys but I'll have some pride back. I have a relative in a wheelchair, she has the same ambitions that you have. She wrote some articles for a newspaper, did siome freelance work for a radio station, and was paid to provide the music at a church. Within 6 months to a year, she got a letter from the gov't pointing out that she had 3 businesses - they cut off her SS and her Medicare. It took several letters and meeting (and about a year) to get everything going again. IMO, since so already know the rules, it would be far safer (and much more reliable) to take a salaried PT job. Consider what would happen if your business was very successful for a month (maybe $2000 in december) and then nothing - the $2000 in one month would result in getting your Medicare and SS shut off. But even more important - why doesn't dh get out there and get a job? I've been seeing plenty of Help Wanted signs lately - Subway shops, truck drivers, starbucks, dry cleaners.
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Martivir
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Joined: Jan 1, 2011 11:56:36 GMT -5
Posts: 303
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Post by Martivir on Mar 27, 2011 11:46:20 GMT -5
Phil, he's trying. He's getting form letters back that he's overqualified. He's even working with someone to improve his resume, networking( he spends less time with the family now than he did when he was working), and still nothing.
And the salaried PT job would be great. If I had the ability to consistently leave the house. Part of my disability is severe anxiety. I've gone months before without leaving my home. But I'm on a new treatment that seems to be working. Still not completely functional but that alone could lose me my disability.
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phil5185
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Post by phil5185 on Mar 27, 2011 12:01:52 GMT -5
getting form letters back that he's overqualified. He's even working with someone to improve his resume, networking He may be over-thinking this. When I drove gravel trucks, unloaded trucks, milked cows, I just filled out an application, no resume needed. The point of unskilled minimum wage jobs is that no prior experience is required, the manager can pull someone in off the street, train them for an hour and put them to work. And if they fail he can fire them and get a replacement in an hour or two. No resume needed. Later, after I got an engineering degree, the fancy resume became important.
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