What does "making a living" mean to you?
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Original Post
Hi all,
I'd like to know what "making a living" means to you. It could be anything from having a roof over your head, to having health insurance. Or it could mean working your own hours doing what you love, while having a family and teaching.
I actually started Etsy way back when because I wanted to start a furniture company. I put a woodshop in my bedroom (the first thing I built was a loft for my bed), and looked at the next steps. Of course I got sidetracked, and started a Web company instead, but now I'm back to focusing on that original challenge: the big leap from selling some things I've made to making a living from it.
I am building a website to meet this challenge, and an important first step is understanding what it means to you to make a living.
All answers are welcome, and thanks!
Rob
Posted at 10:56pm Dec 27, 2008 EST
Responses
Rokali says:
Back in the day, what you made with your hands was often times reflected in your last name: flickr.com/photos/rokali/2988646850/sizes/o/
*****
So Chandler Bing would have made candle cherries, lol!
Posted at 11:46pm Dec 27, 2008 EST
lol, I see a future Etsy thread about figuring out your 'real' craft name ;)
Posted at 11:50pm Dec 27, 2008 EST
Hmmm, my name should be Megan Moisturizerer, then!
Posted at 11:52pm Dec 27, 2008 EST
my idea of rich is that i can buy anything i want when i go to the grocery store.
why did i say rich? because technically, i have been making my "living" from my company for the past 10 years. i live comfortably, but that is because i have learned to get by on as little as possible. what does that mean exactly? well i have to pay my rent for my apartment and my studio, utilities, supplies and food. i don't have a car or health insurance. for the most part i have not done any travel, nor do i have more than little luxuries like yarn for a new sweater or an occasional night out. i make my own clothes (i have to dress well as the face of my fashion design company), trade for jewelry and other art objects etc. i have been in feast or famine mode forever. i hoard food so that i will always be able to eat when sales aren't so good.
what i would like is some consistency in my income. i am tired of hand to mouth. i would like to be able to pay all of my bills easily, and on time. i would like to not have to triple check that i balance my checkbook to the penny. i would like a safety net of a savings account (i have no credit cards). i would like to be able to have health insurance (i hate to think how long it has been since i have been to the dentist!). i haven't been able to contribute to my ira account since i have started my business.
Posted at 11:58pm Dec 27, 2008 EST
To me, it's not making a living, but making is living.
I like to think if you follow your passion you will be successful and happy in life. Good luck in finding your passion, wherever it leads you.
Posted at 12:01am Dec 28, 2008 EST
Enough to pay for my necessities and a savings account.
Posted at 12:02am Dec 28, 2008 EST
I think of making a living as different than working to pay bills.
Posted at 12:03am Dec 28, 2008 EST
my business IS my life. it is just me and the company's namesake, my pet cat. i have many supportive people around me, but no one pays my bills for me.
Posted at 12:03am Dec 28, 2008 EST
The making a living part is simple, income > expenses
Attaching "doing something you love" on the end complicates things. The more you try to make a living from it the more other stuff you have to do, and you might well end up being more of a manager of other people doing what you want to do instead of actually doing it. I have to be a salesman, photographer, web designer, secretary, accountant, shipment packer, and anything else that needs doing. So part of making a living to me would be able to afford to get other people to do all of that stuff for me.
Posted at 12:03am Dec 28, 2008 EST
well if 'making a living' was all this flowery stuff about just being creative, doing what you love, etc, then what are you eating? Where are you sleeping?
Someone is paying for that.
If that person is you, then you're making a living.
If food and housing and medical care was all free, what would you spend your time doing then? It sounds like this is what some people consider "making a life". What you would do with your life if you didn't need the money.
Posted at 12:04am Dec 28, 2008 EST