Any other seniors here trying to start over.

[leftyladyfrommo]

I have a topic over on the Lounge - a good friend of mine is trying to find a way to start over in the hairdressing field. And thank you to everyone who responded with some really good ideas and encouragement.

Anyone else out there trying to find a way to make it?

It is so hard right now. Everyone's money is depleted and they have lost their regular jobs. Trying to find any job right now is a total waste of time and money.

We are trying to find some good ideas for entrepreneurial seniors so that we can survive without having to go live in a tent city somewhere.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

1. I'm not at that point yet

but I think maybe communal living would be a good alternative....

[roguevalley]

13. I'm answering phones at my sissy's business. It helps me make

each end meet.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. How about a link?

[LiberalAndProud]

3. +1 (please?)

[Iwillnevergiveup]

4. One of my retired friends

rented out a spare bedroom for $600 a month to a medical student. It is working out great for both of them - the student has a clean, safe place to stay (with a pool!) and my friend is greatly benefiting from the (tax-free) income and good company.

[Big Blue Marble]

9. Tell your friiend that it is not tax-free income.

Not only is it not tax-free but your friend has convered a portion of
their private home to rental property. Your friend needs to talk to
his/her CPA.

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. There are going to be a whole lot of people that get paid cash.

These people all played by the rules. They did exactly what they were supposed to do. And now they are back to square one. They simply can't afford to play by the rules any more. Mostly they are just trying to get enough cash each month to make the bills and buy food.

[DailyGrind51]

22. A portion of her home expenses become tax deductible when she declares her rental income.

It may even be a wash on her itemized 1040.

[JanusAscending]

5. Yeah, count me in too!!

My only problem is, I have lots of ideas, and many talents, but the body is weak if you get my drift! Home business's can thrive if you have the right products and marketing and web skills. My stay at home daughter started two businesses after my grandson was born, and is making a good financial contribution to her family. She is a web designer, and started a "virtual assistant" site for business men and Attnys. She was a Legal Assistant before she had her baby. She still does billing for her former employer. She's also joined "Etsy", a site for crafters and artisans to sell their products. She's designing handcrafted jewelry, and has done so well that she is selling her creations at a local Boutique on consignment!! Hope these ideas are of help to some. If I could, I would use my talents in Interior design, landscaping design, and cake decorating, but as I said I am too restricted physically to do so. I have COPD, and will probably be on oxygen soon, plus I have degenerative disk disease and arthritis in my hands. Best wishes to all of us who still have much to contribute!!:hi:

[mntleo2]

8. Boy do I know what you mean about the bod! LOL! n/t

[roguevalley]

14. hugs, JanusAscending. Keep the ideas coming. You are one

creative soul. :)

[CTyankee]

6. I have been offered the opportunity to teach an undergrad course at my old alma mater.

It was just an idea I had that I thought would interest my local group from the Institute for Learning in Retirement. But I accidentally found out that this might work for undergrads...

I've never taught so I'm a little unsure I want to do this. However, if things get worse I'm going to have to at least try...I guess you can get stuck doing worse things than teach...

[mntleo2]

7. I have few answers but a lot of commiseration!

...I might suggest that your hair dresser friend cater to older women like herself for one. Many older women (like me) do "not" like perky women hairdressers with spiked hair working on them. Oh sure, they are nice and all, but they are well ...young and do not always "get" what we older women want and need.

For instance, I noticed the other day where my son works (at a retirement home for the rich with assited care but are apartments too), that many of these women there had those hairdos where they get once a week and it stays that way. They are also getting their nails and toes done and as with older women (and you KNOW this) this is not always an easy thing to keep up as the health problems and other things are not something a younger person would know how to handle right. I just KNOW they pay a lot of money for the nails and hair and they have it to pay.

Would it help for your friend to convince someone she could rent a chair where she specializes in older women and then perhaps post a card at some of those places? I am *not* making this up ~ While I have long hair that only needs trimming once in awhile so I can get it into a bun, and I am not someone who has that kind of hair where you go once a week and "get it done," when I have found an older women who "gets" what I need, I love going to her for my own hair ~ and they are not easy to find!

I am a computer geek and I want you to know it is not always easy to find that work either as most of the people hiring are my children's age. I am also raising my three year old grand niece. We are poor and at my age I know I am doing well just to keep up with a three year old and my other grandchildren, much less have some kind of full time job so perhaps it is different for me, lol.

I am just working free lance for upper income older people to teach them how to use a computer and fix them, or help them buy a computer that they will be able to use, and I get that work by posting my information at homes like I mentioned. The people are nice (for the most part) and they can afford to pay something that is affordable to both of us. I do not have the energy to make a big business about it (I am on Social Security), nor can I see myself hopping up and getting to a job site like I did when I was young, but this way I work at my own pace and still make a little side money that buys my cats some vet care, etc. However often I have more work than I can do and have to turn people away and wish I had someone else to work with, and if I worked for an organized business or could network with others who also do this work so we could share the work AT MY PACE, it would sure make it easier, lol!

Have your friend PM me and plaese PM Me too, perhaps we need to make a DU older workers group on something like Yahoo or Google where we can get together and talk! I would love to talk to other older workers just to commiserate and brainstorm, who are struggling like I am!

Cat In Seattle

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. Actually, the the idea of a salon for silver women is what we are working on.

Great minds think alike.

I was thinking we might form a group of older people. I know there are lots and lots of us all in the same boat.

I'll get back with you. I am almost out of time here at the library - can't afford a computer at home.

[SoCalDem]

11. Gee, the financial commercials show us happy oldsters, chuckling & shrugging their shoulders,

and cheerfully telling us how they'll start saving all over again with a new plan:puke:

[leftyladyfrommo]

15. I'm not so sure about the happy part.

But we are definitely having to start all over at 60. No one dares get sick until they are 65 and on medicare because you just die - you find out the insurance you have will just rescind your policy and you really have no insurance at all.

Doesn't get much better than this!

[elehhhhna]

12. Can she have "in days" at any local retirment homes/communities?

I know nothing but it makes sense.

[leftyladyfrommo]

16. She will have to look into that.

I know she has gone to nursing homes before. And she has even done hair at mortuaries. (I don't think I could do that).

Its just the idea of having to start from scratch at this age. She is scared to death. Her money is gone. And she is having horrible anxiety attacks.

Its just so hard.

[slackmaster]

18. I decided years ago that I'm just in it for revenge

I believe it was George Herbert who said "Living well is the best revenge."

[madmom]

19. Yes I tried. I worked in mostly deli type situations most of my adult life. I even actually found a

job last month working in a grocery deli. I couldn't do the work. My last job I tore my rotator cuff (it's healed now) but I could not do the lifting and such that is required for the job, so I'm/we're back to living on my SO's retirement check and still trying to help two kids, son with family, laid off since Dec. daughter still in college.:cry:

If any one knows how to get in on "work from home jobs" that are legit, I'd be interested.

[leftyladyfrommo]

20. I'm surprised you even found a job.

There simply aren't any here for seniors.

We are all just brainstorming to see if we can come up with stuff that makes at least enough to pay the bills - and most of us don't need a lot to survive.

[madmom]

21. I was surprised too, but I had to give it up because I can't do the heavy lifting required. I tried

but if it's a choice between extra $ and the use of my right arm, well.........

[elehhhhna]

23. TeleReach, in Houston, is always looking for GOOD at home phone workers --

google them, you don't have to be here to work for 'em. Woman owned company, and legit.

[madmom]

24. I will do that, thank you!