To make a long story short I am semi retired.
About 2 years ago being board I decided to start looking to go back to work either part time of full time.
Needless to say I am not having much luck.
I apply for jobs I am more than qualified for and don't even get a reply from the companies I have applied to.
I have been told I am way over qualified for the jobs I have applied for and being over 50 people don't want to take a chance on me.
That is their loss. I am a responsible hard worker that has great past references.

With that said maybe it is time to instead of working hard for others work for my self.
I have access to some money to invest in a business but was wondering what others have done with a similar amounts of money.

Thanks

I don't think we can tell you. We don't know anything about you. What would interest you?

What did you do in the past that you were successful doing? What are your skills, interest, etc. Are you looking to work 20 hours a week or 100?

I don't think 25k gets you very far.

Would you be offering a service? Selling a product? Would you need to purchase FFE? Need an office, shop, store, etc? Will you need to advertise your services/product?

I think back to a popular quote from the Shark Tank guys - "You don't have a business, you have a hobby." A hobby is fine, if that's the expectation, but if you are serious about creating income for yourself, that's a different thing.

A friend of mine bought a yogart franchise a number of years ago. Staff would call in sick at last minute. One night he called his wife at 10:30 or 11pm saying he was 50+, working late, covering a shift for a teenager and worse, having to clean the toilet and bathroom. She said 'yes dear, but it's your toilet.' The point being when you own the business you own the good and the bad. At least starting out you will do the grunt work and the fun stuff. You'll be doing the billing and/or maintaining records for accountants. Make sure you really want to work for yourself before you take the plunge.

I remember how hard it was for my dad when he went from working at a barbershop to owning a barbershop. It was really awful for him when he hired a guy to help and then had to fill out all of the employment tax reports. At one point he told me it felt like he spent more time on paper (work for the government) then he did cutting hair.

I don't know what type of work you did but you might reach out (through networking or sending letters) to the managers of similar businesses asking if they have a part time position or have the need for someone to mentor less experienced personnel.

If you were in one of the trades, check with a community college to see if they need a teacher.

What are your hobbies? Where do you get the stuff for those hobbies? Might see if they need part time help.

Do you have a good/great driving record and know anyone at a new car dealership? they periodically need people to shuttle cars. For example, I just bought a car in Raleigh NC that came in from VA. The dealerships made some sort of trade. Someone drove the car down from Richmond Va.

Good luck in finding something you'll enjoy.

If I was physically able (and I currently am), I'd start a lawn care business. Not out of any expectation to make a bunch of money, but to give myself something to do I enjoy, that would get me outside, and be physically demanding.

oh, please don't become a tele marketer or time share salesperson!

buy a brick oven on a trailer and sell brick oven pizza in the town square or at events.

Buy 25K worth of some biotech genetic company.

buy a bass boat and go on the basspro circuit

buy a brush and become a chimney sweep.

(they wanted $300 to paint my chimney cap because it was starting to rust...)

Spend $25K at a tech school and learn a trade. Welder. IT. Plumber/HVAC. Blacksmith.

This would require a move to Japan and a lot more money

I'm about to start my own final expense insurance agency. It takes a lot less than $25k and should be cash flowing in a matter of weeks. But I expect it to be a grind and to be dealing with a lot of people in bad shape. Still, can't be worse than a W2 gig, working for the man.

If you still have your turnout gear, 20k buys a lot of gas...

Maybe you could be start an "AirFnR"...

Be a self starter, or hire this girl...

A lot of people have some money with no idea what to do or how to do anything.
That makes for a bad plan.
Just invest in more conventional investment aka stocks, bonds, mutual funds etc.
However, if you have some idea of your capabilities and enough money perhaps consider buying into a franchise that has at least a blueprint on where to go.
$20K is not really going to get you much in the short run.
Good Luck.

A nice used mini-bus, appropriately painted in garish colors, and a "uniform". Instant tour guide.

I'd love to have a food truck as a hobby job.

A Boat/RV/4-wheeler self-operated "car wash"... with a location that would be frequented by outdoorsmen.

Or this....

quote:

Originally posted by SBrooks:
Spend $25K at a tech school and learn a trade. Welder. IT. Plumber/HVAC. Blacksmith.

Only save some of the money to start out with on your own once you're done! Mike Rowe would be proud and you would be busy for life.....

Self-wash carwash.

Seriously.