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dmaterialized · 06-17-2008, 06:47 PM

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't posted here more (though I really should, and probably will soon).

Here's my problem. I'm a college student with a tremendous amount of skills, but no real clear plan of how to make money. I was raised very "afraid" of money and I've done a lot to combat it but I know that there are some inner issues I really need to work out-- which is probably why I always seem broke (even when I'm not).

I just can't seem to get a well-paying job that fits me, and I'm not sure if it's me, or the job, or both.

I'm putting myself through college, at about $4000 a year, which isn't too terrible. I live at home during the summer, so no rent. I run a relatively successful Mac tech support and private consulting service which on a good streak will net me about $600 a week. Perfectly great, right? I couldn't be happier.

The problem is that it's so inconsistent; this month I've been home for three weeks and haven't made a dime, and due to credit card bills I'm basically completely out of cash. I know this happens to everyone but I find (particularly with finances) that I get very very discouraged. I know that abundance is out there, but I need to find more paths for it to come to me.

Steve's writing inspired me to begin blogging, which I took up last year. I love doing it but haven't made any money with it. I'm very creative, and am getting into fine art photography-- which is my real passion, but of course is difficult to get paid for.

I just don't know what to do or where to turn.

I'm thinking of getting a bartending license because this summer I desperately need to make a LOT of money. I'm going to be traveling abroad on this fantastic trip called Semester at Sea (a "classroom on a boat" that sails around the world, stopping in 18 countries) and it's the chance of a lifetime. I want to have the money available to do what I want (within reason)-- and of course I need to be able to afford the trip (which should be somewhat doable, but I don't want to push it).

Anyway, I'm not sure what to do, or what I'm posting this for, but I really need ideas. I'm a creative person, but lack the business savvy of my girlfriend (whose dad is a pretty amazing entrepreneur), and I REALLY don't like most high-tech work (like web design). I'm too right-brained for that kind of thing, but I love what I do (working with people, taking pictures, writing, research). I just don't know how to turn it into a business, aside from what I'm already doing.. and that seems very inconsistent and not long-term.

Bartending might not be such a bad idea, but I'm curious if people have other possibilities. I'm kind of at my wits' end. Thanks SO MUCH for any thoughts--of any kind--you might have (and if I'm wording things here that reveal my more severe "issues" with money or the world, point them out-- I have a lot to learn about LoA)

06-17-2008, 06:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
dmaterialized Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New York, NY / Bennington, VT Posts: 24	I Don't Know Where to Begin... Hi everyone, sorry I haven't posted here more (though I really should, and probably will soon). Here's my problem. I'm a college student with a tremendous amount of skills, but no real clear plan of how to make money. I was raised very "afraid" of money and I've done a lot to combat it but I know that there are some inner issues I really need to work out-- which is probably why I always seem broke (even when I'm not). I just can't seem to get a well-paying job that fits me, and I'm not sure if it's me, or the job, or both. I'm putting myself through college, at about $4000 a year, which isn't too terrible. I live at home during the summer, so no rent. I run a relatively successful Mac tech support and private consulting service which on a good streak will net me about $600 a week. Perfectly great, right? I couldn't be happier. The problem is that it's so inconsistent; this month I've been home for three weeks and haven't made a dime, and due to credit card bills I'm basically completely out of cash. I know this happens to everyone but I find (particularly with finances) that I get very very discouraged. I know that abundance is out there, but I need to find more paths for it to come to me. Steve's writing inspired me to begin blogging, which I took up last year. I love doing it but haven't made any money with it. I'm very creative, and am getting into fine art photography-- which is my real passion, but of course is difficult to get paid for. I just don't know what to do or where to turn. I'm thinking of getting a bartending license because this summer I desperately need to make a LOT of money. I'm going to be traveling abroad on this fantastic trip called Semester at Sea (a "classroom on a boat" that sails around the world, stopping in 18 countries) and it's the chance of a lifetime. I want to have the money available to do what I want (within reason)-- and of course I need to be able to afford the trip (which should be somewhat doable, but I don't want to push it). Anyway, I'm not sure what to do, or what I'm posting this for, but I really need ideas. I'm a creative person, but lack the business savvy of my girlfriend (whose dad is a pretty amazing entrepreneur), and I REALLY don't like most high-tech work (like web design). I'm too right-brained for that kind of thing, but I love what I do (working with people, taking pictures, writing, research). I just don't know how to turn it into a business, aside from what I'm already doing.. and that seems very inconsistent and not long-term. Bartending might not be such a bad idea, but I'm curious if people have other possibilities. I'm kind of at my wits' end. Thanks SO MUCH for any thoughts--of any kind--you might have (and if I'm wording things here that reveal my more severe "issues" with money or the world, point them out-- I have a lot to learn about LoA)