quote:

Originally posted by cooger:
Ok, Onlyfans site is set up. I’m offering Sigforum members a 25% discount.

Hmm...that is a pretty good deal.

Kentucky tomatoes are some of the world's best and farmer's markets are a big thing.

I work full time in dental technology, but I recently started a side business for passive income by investing in two VVM (vaping vending machines). I placed them in a couple of busy convenience stores near my town, and they’ve been doing okay—nothing life-changing yet, but they’re paying themselves off steadily.

If you liked mowing yards before, maybe expand into general lawn care or seasonal services like snow removal. It’s flexible, low-cost to start, and you can scale it up after retiring. Another idea is small-scale handyman work—fixing fences, minor repairs, or even pressure washing driveways. People always need these things done but often don’t want to hire big companies.

Keep it simple and manageable for now, and if you can automate or semi-automate parts of it, even better. A small, steady side gig can grow into something big with time.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Phelen_Kell,

Figure $4k in equipment to start pressure washing right off the bat. You’re going to need a good surface cleaner, $500 or more, and a pressure washer that can run it, $1,500 or more. That machine is going to be heavy and require two or even three people to lift it into a truck, so instead figure a trailer or at least one of those trailer hitch cargo rack with a ramp, $300-$800.

The people making money at it have way more invested which allows them to be more efficient on a full time basis. They charge more on an hourly basis because they have the investment in the equipment that allows them to get each job done much faster. It’s like the difference between two guys with shovel and a wheelbarrow moving a pile of landscape rock vs one guy and a skid steer. Both can get the job done. The guy with the skid steer gets it done much faster though.

As far as a retirement gig goes, it’s a good workout for hours at a time.

My 14yo made $120 for 5 hours yesterday. Pool cage, pool deck, and some fascia and soffit. I drove, helped him load and unload, and helped with the actual pressure washing. He’s of course thrilled, I’m looking at the 2 gallons of gas, 1 gallon of diesel, the load and unload time at our own house, travel time, and that we had two guys doing it. On the other hand, it was his first job, we talked about ways to we could have been more efficient, and how to price jobs. We could probably have cut a hour out with another bucket and brush on a telescoping pole for example. With a longer pressure hose, we could have left the pressure washer outside the cage giving us more room to work without dealing with two hoses and the pressure washer.

Probably not a side gig, but I think there is a need for mobil locksmiths on a fulltime basis, or if you can snag a side job with a locksmith shop, learn all you can and get paid for it.

Think *lost key fobs*, people having to tow their vehicle to the dealership to get a new key fob programmed and working.

I can NOT believe all the people around here lately who have lost their 1st key fob, did't want to pay the bigger-ish cost for a new one, then lost their 2nd key fob, and are screwed.


if you're willing to work evenings and weekends. $$$$

AI is not going to put locksmiths out of business.

Just an idea.

Best wishes to you.
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quote:

A riding buddy of mine got certified for catastrophic housing inspections after he retired from Boeing. He is registered (or whatever the term is) with several insurance companies and responds after tornadoes, hurricanes, major hail storms etc.

Seems like a pretty sweet gig. Computer, digital camera, tape measure and not much else needed. Everything else he gets on location (rental van, pickup or SUV, ladder and such). Good pay on a per inspection scale along with a generous per diem.

Makes enough in the 3-4 month “season” to cover his annual need.

I’ve seriously toyed with the idea when I get to that point.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I know several people that do that kind of work. You better be an empathetic person who is knowledgeable about construction. You also have to leave on a moment's notice and enjoy trailer life with the minimals. It pays well for a reason. Burnout is common and you are pressured to settle claims quickly with a low dollar amount.

Been in the looking-for-something-to-do mode myself for a while. Trouble is, I've essentially become anti-social, and customers seem to be a necessity.
Sometimes I daydream about starting a cult and disappearing after fleecing the fools, but I've got too much conscience for my own good.

quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:

I've essentially become anti-social, and customers seem to be a necessity.

The ideal would be a high income business that requires neither customers nor employees. I've been searching for one. Haven't found it yet.

I have 4 family members that drive Door Dash and like it.

A couple use it as their sole income.

Zero up front cost, if you have a vehicle, work when and how much they want.
A short learning curve.

quote:

Probably not a side gig, but I think there is a need for mobil locksmiths on a fulltime basis, or if you can snag a side job with a locksmith shop, learn all you can and get paid for it.

I once broke my key off in the ignition in the middle of an intersection at 3 am. It was not cheap but the locksmith push started the car and I followed him to his business. He made me a new key and manged to get the broken key out of the igntion. He then jumped the battery. It was worth the cost.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
I have 4 family members that drive Door Dash and like it.

A couple use it as their sole income.

Zero up front cost, if you have a vehicle, work when and how much they want.
A short learning curve.

There are all sorts on on-demand gig delivery companies/apps from medical prescriptions to trailer-size loads, if you don't want to deal with food (take out or grocery). All depends on if they need drivers in your area or are already saturated.

Garage sale and thrift store flipping. Check out GaryVees youtube channel. A friends kid did this and made over 3k and donated it to a local charity. I think he started with 300 bucks initial investment.

I have a buddy that got a side job washing windows to supplement his income. It became so lucrative that he quit his IT job and went full time just doing windows. He now makes 6 figures just doing that.

Street corner.

-Handjobs 2 bucks.

-Blowjobs 5 bucks.

Five bucks is five bucks.

Or, learn to code...

People on the Nextdoor app are always looking for people to do handyman work. Replacing smoke detectors, hanging ceiling fans, painting rooms, new garbage disposal, etc. Word of mouth keeps the good guys busy.

It's never too late!

quote:

I have a buddy that got a side job washing windows to supplement his income. It became so lucrative that he quit his IT job and went full time just doing windows. He now makes 6 figures just doing that.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sure thing if you do not mind working on a scffold ninety stories above the street. The Willis tower used to recruit Poles to do this kind of work. Last I looked a small village in Mexico supplied the labor. The scaffold sways a lot in the high winds, but you are OK with your harness. May take an hour to get to you if there is a mishap.