Part Time Work Welcome
Lately, I teach part time for the continuing education department of a local community college. I'm very well paid for the hours that I work, but cannot get enough hours in some months to keep afloat. I love what I do, and want to keep doing it, but also need other part time work to keep me going during lag months.
That said, I can find little or no opportunity locally (San Antonio, TX) for additional work, even part time, that doesn't conflict with an evening teaching schedule. Most local employers won't even look at a post-50 candidate, and, of those who will at least look, most want their candidates available 24/7 with "no conditions or excuses." ...for part time work??
I provide an award-winning service to my community, and I enjoy providing that service; and, I think I'd like that community to give something back -- like supplemental part time work that would allow me to continue in my present trade as well. Question is -- how to approach?
Any thoughts?
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If you can get a lawn mower and edge trimmer, there are hundreds of people in your comunity who whould love for you to mow and manacure their lawns. If they have jobs and are working full time, they will most likly welcome a dedicated neighbor cutting their grass, at a reasonable rate, who is timely and regular to the needs of their yard. A buisness licence, from your city, to do gardening, will be most likeley, less than $100.00 per year. A reasonable rate is 1 cent per square foot. A 500 square foot front yard lawn is $5.00. Most people have a 1500 Square food front yard worth a $15.00 mowing and trim. You can mow, edge and dispose of the wast lawn clipings in 20 minutes on a 1500 square foot lawn with a 22" Gas lawn mower. Your out of pocket cost, if they have a GREEN recycle bin, you can use for the lawn trimings, is 50 cents for Gasoline and about 25 Cents deprecition on the power mower and edger. If you built up just 20 lawns at $15.00 Each per week in you neiborhood, you could do them in 8 hours, one day and earn $270.00 per day after expences. it would also allow you to meet your neighbors and see what job openings are available where they work. Saturday is a good day to make contacts and it would not interfear with future job interviews or work when you decide to ramp down or pass on your customers to the next soul who could use the extra income. People make a good living doing lawns full time. You just never hear about it because most people belive it is a job below their stature. Well, If you cut your own lawn, you can cut your neighbors lawn just as easy. Lawns don't care what day or what time they are cut and as far as age, I retired at 55, from construction, and to keep myself physicly fit. I did gardening around my own home, My neibors saw how well my yard looked they asked me who did it. When I told them I did my own, they asked if I could do theirs Soon i had more lawns than I could handle and my 16 year old Daughter started doing some of them. Since i was only doing it for the excersise, I limited my number to 5 lawns but I have had many more inquire if my sevices were available. Today I am 62 and I still get my excersise by cutting lawns and gardening. Walking and pushing a gas mower. Simple and easy and on the days I want to do it. Don't let your age stop you from doing a little manual labor. You will be respected, around your neiborhood, for being a good worker and someone they can trust.
Edward F. Dijeau:
I am very impressed with your commitment and motivation to stay physically fit and also make a living while doing it! I am one of those people out there who would be (and have) more than willing to pay someone to keep my lawn cleaned up for me. We pay to have people come out and help us keep our property cleaned up all the time. I think like you do, there is nothing wrong with a good days hard work - no matter what kind of work it is. There are many people out there willing and able to pay someone to keep their lawn up for them - many people don't have the time or just don't want to spend their "off" time doing it. GREAT SUGGESTION - and even broken down for people!