Check in if you're unemployed, 45+ and have therefore started your own business.

[lumberjack_jeff]

I was an engineer for 20 years, a manager for five and haven't gotten a steady paycheck for about eight.

I build boats now. Although the cashflow isn't great, there's great non monetary benefit, and we've gotten used to living frugally.

http://www.westsatsop.com

Our society is very messed up, but maybe there's something to be said for making lemonade.

[regnaD kciN]

1. Much the same situation...

...after sixteen years in the software industry, I started my own photography business (web link in signature). I'm certainly not getting rich, but am surviving.

[atomic-fly]

2. I am almost there...

No one wants to hire and older dude. So I guess I need to create my own
business. Skilled in graphics/web/photography.
I am also considering Etsy for my paintings.

[Fumesucker]

3. Working on it, not quite there yet..

CNC machining custom camera and gun parts, I may branch out into parts for vintage motorcycles later.

I've built one CNC router from scratch, retrofitted another very old milling machine to CNC and I'm retrofitting a second much larger CNC milling machine with new electronics right now.

It's actually surprising how much good iron is still around out there that's in very good shape mechanically but the electronics are outdated and essentially not fixable.

[supernova]

4. I may be headed that way

I'm 48, btw

working on two innovated food products that I hope to bring to market within the next year.

[Donnachaidh]

5. we're toying with the idea

DH got a job after 18 months of underemployment. We're just starting working on ideas. I want something where we can live, and give our kid a job. The job situation here is so bad he can't even find a mickeyD job.

[yella_dawg]

6. Senior Software Engineer

I started and now manage the local farmer's market.

[MineralMan]

7. Sure. I'm 65, and started a new business last year.

I've started several businesses through my life, and haven't worked for anyone since 1974. Right now, my business is writing the content for small business websites. I built a website for the business, put ads on Craigs List, and a web designer contacted me the first week. I do a couple of complete web sites for him a month now, 20-30 pages of content from scratch, and it's earning a pretty good salary that supplements my Social Security check.

I'll never get rich, and never did get rich from my other businesses, either, but they all made money and were all bootstrapped. Never borrowed a cent for any of them. It's a great, if insecure, way to live. The worst expense is health insurance.

[krabigirl]

8. Working on it, but am 39 and have been staying home with kids after leaving the corporate world.

And I do not wish to return.