Making money while sick? I could use some ideas / help.

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Dereksmagic

Dereksmagic

Joined
Dec 23, 2012
Messages
104
So I have come to terms that with the way my crohns is, I am going to be stuck like this for a while. I have been unable to work for 2 years, and I don't see a finish line in site for remission. Its time to stop laying around waiting to get better to start trying to make money and have a life again, I need to do something now.

I want to start some sort of home based business, or find a way that I can work around my crohns, set my own hours, be able to use the bathroom when I need it, the days that I am feeling bad I just dont need to schedule something, or a way that I can work from home, doing import export, drop shipping, or even being a personal assistant for someone, run a phone line here, answer their calls and do their scheduling, something, ANYTHING.

I dont know what to do, who else is stuck in this same situation? What have you done?
 
Same thing not worked for many years cause of illness but want to do something to earn, I'm good with tech so was thinking about fixing laptops at home basically owner brings it to me not sure if it's even feasible or legal or how I would set it up.Bar that I eventually wish to move to durban south africa and would like to work with animals.
 
CrohnsChicago said:
Can you do online freelancing?
Click to expand...

Depends on what type of freelance work it is.

I wanted to start sort of a photography business that way I can take jobs when I am feeling well. Be out of the house for a few hours, make some money, and then get back before I feel like crap again.

As of right now I can last about 4 hours before I feel like crap, 5-6 if I really push it and load up on meds and painkillers.

So it has to be something that is quick, I am a magician, and I sort of got out of it since I have been sick, but I was thinking about trying to pull gigs again, I can be in and out in under 4 hours and walk away with a few hundred bucks just from a 2 hour strolling gig. But, as with all entertainment, its hard hard hard to make any consistent money from it.
 
what about some of the sales - something like It Works, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Avon, etc? I know a lot of people that sell these things and they say they can do most if not all from home and it's a great income for them. Just an idea! :)
 
I'm in a similar boat. I thrift and sell things on eBay, so am working on building that up as much as possible. I'm also planning to get back into blogging. Maybe you could use your magician knowledge to write online articles or a blog. Or make videos for YouTube, then monetize them. It's not fast money of course, but could be built into something over time. You already have the "niche" knowledge it sounds like.

Check out the online freelancing sites - odesk and Elance. I've done some work on Elance (I do photoshop, graphic design and social media marketing) and it's pretty easy to work with. The jobs vary from full time to one-offs of a couple hours. It's not all graphic design - there are also jobs writing or doing data entry, typing, proofreading, etc.
 
I'm in the same boat haven't been able to work. I want a decent job and salary from home or on my own terms. It seems most are either shady, a teen can do it or the money is pennies.

I also feel like some of the more respectable at home Jobs require too much time and effort which I don't think I can commit to. I really don't know what would suit me.
 
I can vouch for Elance. I've worked via that site before to pick up some extra cash. It's a bit of work up front writing the proposals but the jobs are typically easy depending on what you apply for and you propose the method and how soon you can get it done to win the bid.
 
If you are looking for something outside the home - check with a wholesale company - years ago I worked for one called Federal Wholesale - they supplied a LOT of products to Caldors (YES - THAT LONG AGO! LOL).....I was able to make my own hours, and work 20 or so hours a week - I could go in at 5am if I wanted, evenings, whenever the store was open and stock shelves.....not wure what companies might be around, or if any of the bigger retailers have part time positions doing this.....
 
It's not a great living but teaching online is something I've done while I've been sick. I've taught through a university program but also know people who developed their own programs and used Google plus for classes. If you have a skill, like photography, you can develop lessons that can be reused in future classes, so the first time you teach will take a lot of prep but it gets better. I like teaching online and it's a fun way to hang out with people when you don't feel well enough to actually hang out:)
 
Same boat! I am a photographer & have decided that's probably the best thing for me to stick to for now. I'm happy to answer any questions!
 
I know my husband got laid off a month ago and I felt like I should work but I was in the middle of a major flare and am now in the hospital. I feel like I should be better and normal but I'm having trouble accepting that this ir reality. I make jewelry when I can but I have four kids to watch at home so I don't get a lot of time to do that. When I do go to farmers markets I have made 200 to 300 dollars a day. It helps a bit. I'm thinking of trying ebay to sell my jewelry. I don't know if u have creative flare to do jewelry?
 
The idea of selling at fairs or markets is interesting because you decide whether you go or not. The question is what to sell since I have no creativity lol.
 
I spent a ton of time on Elance and decided to research general transcription. It's pretty easy to get into. I went ahead and bought a little course and ordered the foot pedal. I'm excited to hopefully drum up some cash in these winter months while I build things for the photography business.
 
[[I am a magician, and I sort of got out of it since I have been sick]]

Why not just make your Crohn's disappear? Then you could start a business making other people's Crohn's disease disappear too- you'd have plenty of work- I'd be your first customer :)

Seriously htough I'm in same boat- I can only manage about 2-4 hours going out before I start feeling awful- I used to take hikes to do photography, and oculd walk about 1 1/2 mile or so- Now I can only manage trails that are less than 6/10'ths of a mile or so- and even then I'm done in for a few days- now I just mainly drive around looking for easy landscape shots- and dread even getting out to walk any real distances anymore-

I've tried to think of ways to make money too- wish I had enough to make money work for me- but that's not going to happen- it';s tough trying to come up with n idea where you can only work a few hours and make enough to support yourself- I'm also affected by 'brain fog' which makes it difficult to even concentrate, and I get wiped out just trying to do complex thinking stuff any logner- I dunno, it's tough- if you're only doing it for extra spending cash, there are oem thigns like craft fairs, if you're artistic and can make stuff- or seeling online like on ebay or stuff- but trying to actually make a living, it's going to be tough
 
Yeah I don't know. I am now officially broke, like, I have 3 dollars broke. I dont know what to do.

I have an idea to start a specialized niche photography company, but I don't have the slightest idea on how to get it started, and I dont really want to go around asking for advice and have my idea taken from me because it is fairly original. So I am at a loss, I wouldn't even know how to get started, I basically want to start doing real estate photography (essentially) but beyond making a DIY website, and getting some business cards, then doing some networking with people I know, I wouldn't know where to begin on learning how to bring in business without spending thousands of dollars (That I dont have) on online marketing.

I have a great idea though, I could be able to run it myself, do quick jobs, take them and schedule them on hours that work for me and around my crohns, and make a reasonable amount of money (Im guessing anyway). I wonder how much people make doing commercial and residential real estate photography, with my niche idea, I could probably charge on the higher end of that scale, and maybe a tad bit more to start, obviously offering "packages".

But taking it from an idea and turing it into something that is profitable. I am lost.

The depression over this crap is starting to kick in again, im going to be 30, no job, no career, moved back to my parents, I feel like a failure. And even if I wanted to get out and just go get a job and move on with my life, I cant. Because of this stupid disease.

And I dont even know if I am still in a flare or not, I still have to take pain meds every day, and all these other meds, and even though there is no blood anymore, and I am feeling 100x better than I did 2 years ago when I got out of the hospital, still every time I eat, my stomach hurts, every time I feel gas bubbles moving around it hurts and is uncomfortable, the "feeling" of needing to use the restroom is painful, the feeling of needing to fart is painful, Even if I do feel enough energy to go out and do something, but the time I get up, take a shower, get dressed and get ready, Im tired again. And I dont know if I should try and push myself harder and harder to build up stamina again and it will work, or if Ill just wear myself out and end up making it worse from pushing myself when I shouldn't be. My doctors dont do anything, especially now that I am on medi-cal, its like they dont give a crap about me, bare min treatment to make sure I am alive, and past that, its like a big **** OFF attitude from them. Every time I need an infusion, I have to jump through hoops, every time I need a refill on meds, I need an approval, or its not covered, or they dont cover the full amount, or the doctor gets it wrong, or it goes to the wrong pharmacy, I cant even get a single refill without someone making a mistake, and I sure as **** dont have the energy acting like im running a business by making sure that everyone else does their jobs right. I would literally sell my left nut on the black market to get 6 months of time where everything goes smooth, I dont have to worry about this or that, and make endless amounts of phone calls trying to get people all on the same page.

How the **** am I supposed to think about starting a business or making money or what I am going to do with my life when its a full time job just trying to manage doctors and medications and spend all day worrying about them not doing their jobs right.

I really cant take this **** (literally) anymore.

Sorry. Needed to vent.
 
I'm looking at stock photos and going to start an animal care course after I get back from South Africa cat welfare with aim to find work there, takes 6 months to complete and it's home based.
 
Im sorry to hear Dereksmagic i know how you feel. It is a burden to live with such a horrendous disease. You are not a faillure untill healthy people realise what you and many other people with IBD go through. If you like to do photography and sell your work maybe you can start a webshop at Etsy just type in Etsy in the search engine. I also have a webshop and is a great way to sell. You can sell photography , art etc. And there is also a creative community to network and connect with other artists and creative people. I wish you well!
 
Dereksmagic said:
Yeah I don't know. I am now officially broke, like, I have 3 dollars broke. I dont know what to do.

I have an idea to start a specialized niche photography company, but I don't have the slightest idea on how to get it started, and I dont really want to go around asking for advice and have my idea taken from me because it is fairly original. So I am at a loss, I wouldn't even know how to get started, I basically want to start doing real estate photography (essentially) but beyond making a DIY website, and getting some business cards, then doing some networking with people I know, I wouldn't know where to begin on learning how to bring in business without spending thousands of dollars (That I dont have) on online marketing.

I have a great idea though, I could be able to run it myself, do quick jobs, take them and schedule them on hours that work for me and around my crohns, and make a reasonable amount of money (Im guessing anyway). I wonder how much people make doing commercial and residential real estate photography, with my niche idea, I could probably charge on the higher end of that scale, and maybe a tad bit more to start, obviously offering "packages".

But taking it from an idea and turing it into something that is profitable. I am lost.

The depression over this crap is starting to kick in again, im going to be 30, no job, no career, moved back to my parents, I feel like a failure. And even if I wanted to get out and just go get a job and move on with my life, I cant. Because of this stupid disease.

And I dont even know if I am still in a flare or not, I still have to take pain meds every day, and all these other meds, and even though there is no blood anymore, and I am feeling 100x better than I did 2 years ago when I got out of the hospital, still every time I eat, my stomach hurts, every time I feel gas bubbles moving around it hurts and is uncomfortable, the "feeling" of needing to use the restroom is painful, the feeling of needing to fart is painful, Even if I do feel enough energy to go out and do something, but the time I get up, take a shower, get dressed and get ready, Im tired again. And I dont know if I should try and push myself harder and harder to build up stamina again and it will work, or if Ill just wear myself out and end up making it worse from pushing myself when I shouldn't be. My doctors dont do anything, especially now that I am on medi-cal, its like they dont give a crap about me, bare min treatment to make sure I am alive, and past that, its like a big **** OFF attitude from them. Every time I need an infusion, I have to jump through hoops, every time I need a refill on meds, I need an approval, or its not covered, or they dont cover the full amount, or the doctor gets it wrong, or it goes to the wrong pharmacy, I cant even get a single refill without someone making a mistake, and I sure as **** dont have the energy acting like im running a business by making sure that everyone else does their jobs right. I would literally sell my left nut on the black market to get 6 months of time where everything goes smooth, I dont have to worry about this or that, and make endless amounts of phone calls trying to get people all on the same page.

How the **** am I supposed to think about starting a business or making money or what I am going to do with my life when its a full time job just trying to manage doctors and medications and spend all day worrying about them not doing their jobs right.

I really cant take this **** (literally) anymore.

Sorry. Needed to vent.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear your struggles bro.

You are in exactly the same boat as my fiancée. She lost her job a year ago due to Crohns. She has not worked for 2 years now.

She has found a real love for baking. It reduces her stress levels and she has a real talent for it (she was a civil engineer previously). The good thing about her baking is she can take on orders as and when she wants. It started really small and by sharing pictures on facebook and instagram she really has the beginnings of her own business. She has had to turn down requests recently. She operates out of her parents kitchen just now but I can see this taking off. She's branching out into baking bread as well.

I know you are tight for cash just now but Rome wasn't built in a day. If you can use social networks to help with word of mouth it might help. It's really helping with my other half. I know nothing about photography but there might be photography forums out there where you can get some of the advice about getting your business off the ground.

Keep the chin up man. You are not a failure.
 
Need to do something up until now never been so bothered bout making money living here in the uk manage on my disability benefits,just that i need to somehow make it possible to move near to Ella can't protect her or hug her or just support and love her enough from this far apart or show her how much she means to me and that everythings gonna be ok.I have an idea what i would like to do over in South Africa but holding a job here ain't so easy with all the support how do i manage there.
 
It wouldn't be so hard if I could get on disability. I have applied 2 times and have been denied both times, I think what I applied for was Unemployment. But I am so damn confused, I dont know who to call and who to talk to, or what I am even eligible for so I can apply for it. I dont know how to go about getting on Disability, I have even been told that my condition doesn't qualify me for Disability. I also didn't qualify for Social Security, I think that's what it was, their cash assistance program.

Its been 2 years, and my parents are no help, I really need to find like an advocate or attorney or someone that can help by basically figuring out all the things I am eligible for, or even fighting to get me on the ones I am not, and then going through the application process because I am so frustrated, emotionally, mentally and physically drained, I just cant seem to even muster up the energy to make a phone call because I am just so damn confused on who to call, how to find their number, and what to do. I am officially too overwhelmed with everything. I wish I could just get this **** figured out so I can have a LITTLE bit of money coming in, it would make a whole world of difference and take away 95% of my stress. Ugh. I dont know what to do. Why does it have to be so freaking confusing, I wish I could just go online, apply, be approved and get a like debit card in the mail, wham bam, done. Like getting on medi-cal, that was as easy as going online and applying. But this, I had to call this and that, fill out a form, go into the office, sit for 3 hours, meet with someone, fill out all this paperwork, and then got a letter saying they need more information, faxed over more paperwork, and then was told I need to re-apply, and then when I tried to reapply they said that the whole process took too long and I missed my "Window" and it expired, so I needed to fill out even more paperwork explaining why it took so long, and that paperwork is now sitting on my desk and I have not touched it cus I am so ******* fed up. Its ridiculous. And I dont even know if its for unemployment or disability. Iv never been so damn confused, I usually have a grip on this type of stuff.
 
Dereksmagic, I'd love to help you out with this! I would suggest a website with square space or maybe smugmug depending on your business model. I don't know if your niche idea is related to real estate but real estate agents love to network!

I sent in my transcription test to tigerfish yesterday. Fingers crossed they pick me up!
 
definitely get a lawyer if you can afford one- I got disability years ago, but because I didn't have a lawyer, I get thje bare minimum, and didn't get any retroactive amount- the bare minimum really sucks=- $670 a month- that's it- plus medical which does help a lot though- I don't accept SSI which would include food stamps and heating assistance and all that crap - but some people do - Read a report awhile ago that some people on SS and SDI and welfare get as much as $50,000 a year after they milk the system for all it's worth I guess- getting every program available- and many of them aren't even disabled- just jobless and on welfare- unreal-

Anyways, Beign that you are disabled, you should be on disability- be aware though that if you go on both SSD (Social Security Disabilities) and SSI, then you are severely limited as to how much you can make- if you're just on SSD, then you can make a bit more, AND they have a program where you can remain on disability and try to work- you keep getting your SSD check for like 18 months whiel you earn money too- it's like a safety net if you find you can't do the work any longer- They even give you some money in certain circumstances to start a business, or to get back and forth to work etc=-

There is help- but you have to jump through what seems to be endless hoops to get it- but a good lawyer can make the process a lot easier- ocnbe you are on disability, there are 'patient advocates' you can work with to find more help- I've nevr used any of these programs or icnentives or advocates htough- so can't speak from experience - But my point is, do get a lawyer- there is a fella in town who is a drubnk and claims anxiety disorder- that's the only thing 'wrong' with him, and he went on disability and gets nearly twice as much as I do and got a huge retroactive SSD check too- He had a lawyer- I didn't-

Be prepared fopr many months of waiting and meetings etc- it aint a very pleasant experience- but it's worth it if your sick and if you can get enough to make it on your own-

[[and then when I tried to reapply they said that the whole process took too long and I missed my "Window" and it expired, so I needed to fill out even more paperwork explaining why it took so long, and that paperwork is now sitting on my desk and I have not touched it cus I am so ******* fed up. Its ridiculous. And I dont even know if its for unemployment or disability.]]

Stick with it- like you said- if you get it, 95% of your stress will be calmed down- believe me, it's very stressful not having an SSd check each month- I went years struggling to make it and stressing and being fruistrated- and not knowing whetre my next meal was coming from- that made me even sicker/weaker- the constant stress- the monthly help has relieved much of this stress- and was worth the crap I had to do to get it
 
It really depends on your photography niche, but what about product/stock style photography?

As regarding marketing, social networking in particular twitter, fb pages etc can be an excellent free way of getting your name out there. If you wanted a professional portfolio though I recommend foliodrop as it's got a pretty sleek design and is on the whole free.
 

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