Jobs, Money, Income.....

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

We moved to Fort William over 3 months ago and I'm still trying to get work. I am bored, bored, bored. Hubby and I have been going over finances and while we have enough month-to-month to live on (by tightening our belts), I NEED work before I become a crazy, crabbit mare (oops too late). Hubby is a retired fireman so has an income but also feels he needs "work" - something to aim for (IFYSWIM) but hubby is fairly immobile, deaf as a door post, with cognitive impairments, and has short term memory like a sieve (but I love him) So he is not desirable to the average employer.

It got us thinking about franchises, working for ourselves etc but my goodness the number of scams is astounding. We don't want to waste money and can comfortably spend £5,000 (and maybe a WEE bit more) on a franchise but is it a good idea? (It is a lot of money) Have immediately discounted Avon (I own 2 lipsticks, so not the best advert for Avon), Kleeneze and Betterware (both are not popular up here, the people are too canny and it's not something that appeals).

So any ideas, suggestions and experiences of fellow Grapes will be greatly appreciated.

[smallblueplanet]

Are you in a tourist zone? If so what do folk visit to see/do?

[weekendwellies]

How about a B&B ?

[Alison]

If you don't need the money why not do some voluntary work, added bonus of having that warm, doing something useful feeling.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I live in a seriously touristy town - Fort William. I think everyone comes to see/walk/climb Ben Nevis. Unfortunately we live in a one bed flat so unless we install bunk beds in the living room a B&B is out of the question (my Council Tax is just over £200 per month for this wee place, can you imagine what a B&B must cost). We do need more money, not a lot just enough to give leeway and I already do voluntary work (but I'm still bored). We've seen a franchise for book-keeping which we are interested in but do we risk the money. We are fans of Alvin Hall (does anyone remember him?), he stated if you can't afford to lose x amount of money then don't invest it. Losing £5000 wouldn't leave us penniless but we also don't want to lose the money. Jackie has already recommended the "K" company (don't know if I can mention the full name) and I think for the right people in the right areas it's a good company to work for - so thanks Jackie. And thanks for the other ideas. Anyone else got more ideas?

[smallblueplanet]

Could you do some sort of 'tour guiding', of the town or of the countryside? Do you have any 'ghost tours' or 'blue plaque tours'?

What sort of 'areas' do you enjoy that could be used a 'sellable skill'?

[weekendwellies]

Is there a market day in your area. Could you make stuff to sell there. If there isn't a market then perhaps you could persuade local shops to lend you a corner or to sell your product for you on a sale or return policy

[Snadger]

Ebay is your friend!

[Seahorse]

It wouldn't get you out of the house but if you're financially savvy day trading might be an option for your OH to earn some cash at his leisure, without his health difficulties necessarily being an issue. I have no idea at all which ones (if any!) are reliable or useful but if you Google 'day trading strategies' or similar, there are plenty of hits.

[smallblueplanet]

Lol!

Snadger says ebay, Seahorse says day trading - what a difference?

[Snadger]

Lol!

Snadger says ebay, Seahorse says day trading - what a difference?

Had to google to find out what day trading was!!!!!!!

PS Isn't that something politicians do with money they've claimed in expenses!

[BFG]

lol at Day trading, or gambling to give it it's proper name.

[piskieinboots]

if you are considering buying into a book-keeping system, why not save your dosh and just do the book-keeping as yourself? Book-keepers are always in demand and I can speak from first-hand experience here given what I do for a living.

I'm not sure what a company brand (of which everyone will, nost likely, know it's a buy-in) would give you over and above you trading as yourself.

Get out and get known and then start putting yourself about as a book-keeper, word of mouth is the best form of advertising there is.

So with:
eBay
Day Trading
Voluntary work
Book-keeping
Veg growing
...you will never have time for boredom
good luck

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Hubby quite likes the idea of Ebay Not sure about day trading, we don't even do the lottery - too much of a gamble! I've already done book-keeping courses so I think it's time to get myself know - sometimes you just can't see the wood for the trees - thanks guys

[piskieinboots]

excellent - go get 'em