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Does any one here work from home as and independent contractor or as a sole proprietor?
My previous line of work was in bookkeeping and I’m not sure if I want to go that route again. Maybe I might want to try something new. So, I thought maybe the working ladies could post what they do and how do they like it?
Also, it would be nice if anyone who is working and has the inside scoop on employment that they could post it here as well. That way, those of us who are looking, can maybe find some help in looking for work.
There’s so many scams out there for WFH or tellecommuting jobs, it would be nice to get a heads up from someone we can trust.
Just thinking!
Hi Claire,
I’m self employed and mainly do open houses on Sat/Sun from 1-5. He pays me an hrly rate for the open houses. If
I sell a house or if someone builds then I get a commission on the sale price of the home. I also clean the houses and take care of the flower beds and he pays me for that. I also ‘soft staged’ the houses for him, just touches here and there and he bought the items and paid me for my time. My hrly charge is $30.00 per hr and I invoice him each week and he writes me a check. I keep the info boxes filled and place an ad every week in the open house section of the paper. He pays for that. When I’m done in this neighborhood he’s going to ship me off to another one of his neighborhoods. During the week I call the people who came by for follow up. In my state if you work for the builder you don’t need to be a realtor. So far i have 1 house going to be built (next to mine) and another going to be built by another builder ( long story). I really enjoy the work and if I can make a living at it will keep going. I really like the builder. I walk across the street to work and I have my cell phone, Internet, and miles when I take people to other neighborhoods. I hope it works out. If you’re a people person it’s a fun job.Hi Claire,
I’ve been a Realtor here for the last eleven years. Much of my success has been from my contacts from the country club. Since the scandal of my h’s arrest, my business has dried up. His arrest has since been erased, he has a new job that pays better than his old job, he’s lost 30 pounds, he’s quit drinking, he’s going to therapy, and he feels better than ever. His friends have rallied around him and he is doing great.
Since his arrest: I’ve gained 12 pounds, I’ve lost most of my business, I’ve lost my self-esteem and respect, I’ve lost most of my “wives” friends (who wants to be around the wife that sticks with a known loser?). We were very high up in the local community, and now I feel lower than low. I feel like it’s ok to be him, and his friends can forgive him and move on, but women don’t want to be friends with a spineless woman who stays with a man like this.
In the defense of staying: he really has made huge strides with quitting drinking, therapy in which his anger issues have gone away, he has never blamed me for any of his issues and is constantly now noticing his ways of behaving and letting me know that he sees it and making changes to not have controlling behavior. We have one child left at home, a 16 year old Junior. I have always felt like I would stay until he’s off to college, but I’m not sure I can make it anymore. I’ve been doing everything to try to maintain normalcy for my kids, but I’m starting to crack.
Sorry to hi-jack you working info post. I think I just started to post and to split apart at the same time.
AliAli, your story illustrate how again these men are so abnormal they have all the capacity to move on in their lives after such disgraceful acts like nothing has ever happened to them,
But normal people like you, feel pain, feel deserted, feel that we did something wrong even like staying with them, you have a conscious that is your problem that is why you gained weight, lost your business and some of your acquaintances,
He does not have one, and he will keep going in life , but you have to look for you and the kids piece will fall in the right place when things work out for you.Ali, dear girl, think of it this way… You’re in a holding pattern, gathering strength, when the time is right you’ll fucking obliterate your past life. Your future is out there waiting.
Ali it takes great strength to stay. You are a strong woman. It also sounds like your man is doing all the right things. Will you two read a book together, its called The new rules of marriage by tery real.
I am so proud of you and your husband.As far as work goes, right now im trying to sell my baklava at co opps, festivals and farmer’s markets. I would like to earn the money for a small food truck.
Claire, Obliverate is my middle name these days. FUCK yeah, put that on your resume under “Job Skills”.
Saw the coolest thing at a Farmer’s Market the other day – made me wish I could bake….. A teeny tiny little Airstream with the sign “Pie Tin” on the side.
Ali, your post really touch me when you said, “I think I just started to post and to split apart at the same time”. I bet a lot of us can relate to that.
I have worked numerous jobs as an RN since the early 80s. Spent 3 decades specializing in midwifery, obstetrics, lactation and case management. I worked in big and small hospitals, a free standing birth center and several clinics.
The last few years I worked occasionally as a consultant for community based program development and evidenced based practices for hospitals. My interest and passion for nursing was extremely high for most of my career. In addition over the past 8 years or so, I had ample opportunity to volunteer and serve on teams to improve public health issues for mothers and babies.
Gradually, I got worn down more and more by the continual degradation in healthcare quality due to profit motives of hospitals. Similarly, I was worn down as the stresses turned to a crisis in June of 2009 with EX SA RAT until finally I could not tolerate stress of any kind or in giving of myself when I was so in need of help.
I have transitioned taking care of myself, having very little income and to maintaining a short term vacation rental in Yosemite as my primary work. I have been doing this for 20 years and it was a big part of my retirement plan.
As you know I just sold old beloved home which had a rental on it. That was a big deal and a hell of a lot of work. It is over now 🙂
I do a little work managing funds for my schizophrenic brother to provide him independent housing and services.
The upshot is that I used to have a lot of energy and passion for working both for social good and to prepare for retirement so I could travel with EX SA RAT during our retirement years. Now – I am “shot” and I am only 54. My kids worry that I am not working a “real” job. I tell then that I need to heal PTSD or my health could be seriously impacted in the short and long term. My short term memory is pretty bad among other things. The lawyers involved in the divorce and the judge DID NOT see me as disabled in any way. That was so painful but there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.
I do most of the shopping, cooking and cleaning for sweet BF and I to “earn my keep”. He is very appreciative. We have a lot of fun playing house.
Sweet BF is retiring this week from a 37 career in education – both teaching and union work. We are set up to travel and work in Yosemite. We are in a rental in Oregon and plan to keep it for the next year or two as we make all these transitions in our lives.
Does all this make any sense? Feels like my life was abducted by a liar who steered me off course and then over a cliff. Trust me, I would have made very different decisions if I knew the extent to which I was lied to and manipulated.
When will Carnes and the likes of him be held accountable to evidenced based treatment????????
I’m so sorry Ali. I think we all crack but, you won’t break. It feels like you will but you are going to get through this.
Claire, maybe start out with some part time light book keeping just to get back into the work world. It would help ease the transition even if it isn’t what you want to do forever or full time….
The way that you love animals it would be nice to find something in that line of work. Maybe book keeping at a vet’s office for a temp fix?
Also try temporary agencies. I know several people that started at a temp job that then became a full time or part time job. That way you get to be the one taking the company for a test drive. When my h had been downsized and I was not working as a nurse, I took several temp jobs (with no office/business skills) and I actually got offered a clerical job with Scholastic Books. H got a job, so I went back to being a stay at home Mom. When you go to interview at a temp agency, they work with you and the skill set you have. It really can be a great jumping off spot for getting back into the work force. Also when they call you with a job, you can say no, if it is not something you want to do.
Ali – I’m so sorry. You don’t want to wish your h. ill-will but it just seems so quick & easy for him…I worry (and you probably do too) that he’ll get cocky & complacent and end up back where he started. I know for me, I was really starting to feel depressed & stressed when I felt stuck so I knew I needed to do something to move forward. For me, that meant separation. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the answer for you but maybe think in terms of “what can I do to not feel so stuck”? Maybe it’s as simple as taking a class or getting away by yourself or with friends for a weekend? Something to reenergize you.
Re: employment at home. I’m a Corporate Recruiter and I work for a large consulting firm. I have been lucky to have worked a part-time schedule since my oldest daughter was born (she’s 10). This is actually the third company I have worked for since going p/t b/c I have a strong network and when I want to change jobs, they are willing to honor my p/t status. I really enjoy my job but particularly love the flexibility.
Trish – excellent advice on the temp agencies. That can be a great route for entry back into the work force. My friend’s H. was a stay at home Dad for about 8 years and recently started temping and within 3 months, they made him a f/t offer. I would also recommend creating a LinkedIn profile (if you don’t already have one) and connecting with as many people as possible. Join networking groups on there as well. Employers do still use the major job boards like Monster, CareerBuilder, etc. but they are very costly to subscribe to so smaller, niche sites can be a great resource, especially if you’re looking at a smaller firm. You can look at Associations in your particular field – they often have job postings and/or the ability to upload a resume. LinkedIn has job postings as does Craigslist (the non personal-ad part!).
First step, get a resume together – make it clear & concise and no more than 2 pages. I look at hundreds of resumes weekly so really don’t spend more than 10 or 15 secs looking at one unless something sticks out to me that I want to look at more thoroughly. This is one of the reasons why the advice about “it’s who you know” is so important – you want to be able to get your resume looked at by the right person. So tell everyone you know – friends, neighbors, former colleagues – that you are looking. You never know who may have a potential lead for you.
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