I need to find a new job and source of income

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   Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

   I have just been told that my main source of income will end next month so I need to find a new one and fast. I think I am going to have to figure out how to make regular money here as well which I still haven't been successful at.

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      Stevennix2001posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      wow, im so sorry to hear that man.  i hope you'll be okay.  to be honest, i know how you feel as i too was laid off about a year ago back in april.  so i know what it's like to try to find a job.  in fact, i even wrote an article about it too.  however,  i don't mean to self promote or anything as i apologize if it came off that way.
      
      however, from what i read of your blogs on here, i think your a great guy, so i hate to see you struggle like this.   just try to keep your head up and opportunities open as im sure things will work out for you.

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      twuxedoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      O.K. I looked up your info, before posting, I am good as an ideas person, and have always felt that if I lost my main job I would quickly diversify into something else.
      Your background lends itself to you setting up a regular gardening magazine, its not all that hard I used to sell advertising to a real skanky little magazine on Cafes, and the thing made quite a bit, and was sold for a good profit.
      You are already writing for one in Teneriffe. Aim at the permaculture side of things, make the thing bi monthly to start, get a printer on board. The less people involved the more slice of the pie you get. Oh the one I was involved in had a swish cover in full color (Cuts printing prices) everything else was black and white on really good quality paper. Gardening is a thing where there would be a pile of Advertisers, try and get them on a roll on schedule ie. every second magazine  less selling to do that way. So you have regular advertisers the big boys and the Casuals.
      I wish you well, you have the quals, so the worlds really your oyster.

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      toorhamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Why don't you try internet marketing???It's a great way to earn big.

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      RNMSNposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      neither have I but shore is fun 
      as for regular work/dude good luck its bad out there

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         twuxedoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         There is plenty of work, if you seriously want it, this type of negativity is what is causing this so called depression. The Guy will succeed, how about a bit of positivity, if the word exists on your part.

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      JYOTI KOTHARIposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Bard,
      Sorry to hear. It is very difficult to earn your bread online. Only few have success here.
      
      Do you want to start your own business? It just not require lot of money. I am in Jewelry business.
      
      You can choose to move to India and earn your bread easily. Cost of living in India is much less than Europe and the US. It is easier to find a job in India then to developed countries.
      
      If you want to do so, please feel free to contact me for relevant info.
      
      Thanks,
      Jyoti Kothari

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      falcon64posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry to hear that...Hoping the soonest way, you can find a regular job with regular income.

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   tantrumposted 14 years ago

   I'm sorry !

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   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   Oh Bard I am so sorry that is happening to you! I hope you find something quick. *HUGS*

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Sorry to hear. Hope things work out for you.

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   wychicposted 14 years ago

   That's never a good thing...from the start anyway, but it can lead to some great things. Frankly, I'm a full-timer at home and of everything I do, Hubpages is one of the lowest-paying...I guess I just love the people here . I do a lot of freelancing though, almost all writing and transcription with a little bit of editing thrown in, and have had a lot of luck on Elance and Guru. I've also managed to kind of "get in the door" at Helium, it was already paying well but apparently they decided they liked me, kind of gave me the keys to the kingdom...I ignore the stuff that doesn't pay (like stewardships), but they've offered me two side editing jobs (one is ongoing, the other as needed) and I'm on a custom project team that pays pretty well. I hope you find something that really works for you...the work is out there, it just hides really well

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      Kind Regardsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      "I just love the people here."  Me too.  This place always cheers me up.  Bard of Ely, I'm so sorry to hear you lost your main source of income.  That's a hard hit.  "I do a lot of freelancing" too just like you, including transcription.  I don't do much writing though.  Truth is, I don't enjoy writing that much.  I like writing the occasional article, but not full-time for a living.  Wychic, you mentioned Helium.  You may want to check into Demand Studios.  I hear the writers rave constantly about making a full-time living off of their earnings.  I do some other work for Demand Studios and get paid better than anywhere else.  Cool you've found a way to make Elance and Guru work for you.  I never have.  If you have or ever do write a hub about the secret to your success with them, please let me know.  And, to the original poster of this thread - Bard of Ely, I hope an amazing opportunity, one that you love, comes your way!

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         wychicposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         the truth is, I do a lot more transcription than writing now for the freelancing. I like to keep writing just for these affiliate sites so that I'm spending my time writing what I actually want to write. I can get writers block really bad when I have specific things I'm supposed to write, and so only take certain freelancing writing that I know I'll be able stay interested in until the end of it.
         
         I've heard a lot about Demand Studios over the past couple of weeks, but had never heard of them before. I'll definitely have to check them out! I've been getting a lot better about writing on my affiliate sites, and they're starting to really be worth the time .
         
         I have considered writing a hub on freelancing, but when I started doing the outline ended up with enough for an e-book. However, I am seriously considering writing a series of articles instead, there's a lot that goes into it!

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   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   That sucks Steve. Considering you don't make money here after two years and almost 300 hubs, it is unlikely to come within a month. You need to look elsewhere.
   
   I am not saying that it is impossible to make money here, it is quite possible in fact - but you obviously don't have an idea how to do it, and learning this and working it takes a while.
   
   Good luck!
   
   PS I can set you on a right track if you want, but again it takes much more than a month...

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   prettydarkhorseposted 14 years ago

   oh you need to find real job soonest, hope it will be easy to find new job now for you,  and Misha offered some nice alternatives too

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   earnestshubposted 14 years ago

   Sorry to know you need to find a job so quick Steve. You may be able to fill us in on where you are, what you like and do, so some hubbers can offer more suggestions or assistance.

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   earnestshubposted 14 years ago

   I have been a fan of yours for ages, and needed to go and read your profile properly. You are obviously very smart with proven talent and great credentials, so the problem seems to be finding something in your location may be limiting. Good luck Steve, if I can find any ideas that may suit I will let you know. There are ways to make money online but none are ever quick or sure enough to replace a paying job.
   I know you can make money from a good ebook and have done so, but the marketing is still a nightmare to learn without giving google all your dough.

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    efeguyposted 14 years ago

    it sad to hear that you are losing your job in this difficult time,but don't worry,it shall be well.
    
    follow other hubbers views and before you know it more jobs will come

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    livewithrichardposted 14 years ago

    Steve, like everyone above, I'm sorry to hear about the troubles coming your way.  Maybe you can set up and teach some classes on creating music, writing lyrics, making videos. I'm sure there are people near where you live that would pay to get the inside info. Anyway that would be quicker than trying to replace an income online.

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    seanorjohnposted 14 years ago

    Steve, I've read your profile and listened to your music "stand by me" on video. You are a talented and resilient guy. Get your CV out to as many online agencies as you can.
    
    Don't panic. If you can survive for a while on any savings, you can get through this.Search for ethical products and work for commission only. It' a risk but I have a feeling people will buy from you and the rewards can pay handsomely.
    
    Good luck

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    Karina S.posted 14 years ago

    Good luck, Steve!

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    WriteAngledposted 14 years ago

    Bard of Ely, bore da!
    
    You say you moved from Wales to Tenerife. Have you mastered Spanish? Do you have any specialist knowledge of any profession, trade, hobby, etc? If yes, you could consider freelance translation from Spanish into English (always into your native language). If you have specialist knowledge, you can get away without linguistic qualifications.
    
    I did. I earn between 8 and 12 cents for every WORD I translate and turn away twice as much work as I can accept. OK, I'm lucky to have a biomedical background and some obscure slavic languages under my belt. You might not be able to hit the higher end of those rates with Spanish, but should be able to get a reasonable return, especially if you manage to avoid Spanish and Latin American agencies, which are notorious for paying low rates. In fact, you can even play some currency games. When the dollar was low, I was nearly always "busy" when a US agency contacted me. Now, with sterling in the dumps, I do very well by favouring clients who pay in dollars or euros.
    
    Proz.com and Translatorscafe.com both offer a translation marketplace with bids and offers coming from around the world. I started with a free membership at Proz and fooled around the Kudoz boards, where people post words/phrases they are having difficulties translating and others offer solutions. At the time I was in employment and was doing it more for fun than anything else. Out of the blue, an agency contacted me with a job! I never looked back. I'm now a "certified Pro" (grin) for one of my languages and never bid. I don't even reply to direct job offers if they are not sent to me exclusively.
    
    Even if this doesn't happen, jobs are posted up for bids. You may need to start offering low rates at first until you have a few jobs under your belt. Also, you live in a place where tourism is important. Offer to translate publicity material into English for hotels, restaurants, shops near you. If they have stuff in English, try offering your editorial services at an hourly rate as well.

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    poonamt93posted 14 years ago

    It's time to think of a second source of income if you are an employee because a recession will not guarantee that you will continue being hired. And, internet business is one of good options to be your second source of income to outlast recession without financial difficulties.

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    Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear of this, Bard hopefully you will find something soon. Do not despair, you know that saying, one door closes another will open

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    lyricsingrayposted 14 years ago

    prostitution is always a guarantee

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    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    Thank you for all your kind words and suggestions, Tantrum, Crazdwriter, Cagsil, Wychic, Misha, Prettydarkhorse, Earnestshub, Efeguy, Stevennix2001, Livewithrichard, Seanorjohn, Karina S, Kind Regards, Write Angled, Poonamt93, Twuxedo, Dame Scribe and Lyricsingray!
    
    WriteAngled, my ability with Spanish is very limited so that idea is no good but thank you for the idea!
    
    Twuxedo, I would need money to pay for the printing of a magazine and don't have any. Also established newspapers and magazines here have packed up so I don't think there would be much chance for a new one. I am also crap at selling.
    
    Earnestshub, I am in Tenerife, a Spanish island of the coast of North Africa. My income here since I have been here for all of five years has been from writing for publications and websites and four months of being a temporary English classsroom assistant, which was the best job I have ever had. After my next wage at the end of this month I have no source of income apart from here - which is not good at all - and anything that comes my way.
    
    If I go back to the UK I would be able to sign on and that would cover me until I could find something new - a very hard task over there from what I can gather. That would be my last choice of what to do and would involve a big difficulty in itself of having to move my cat too. I don't know anything about what is needed for flying a cat out of here but I know it costs a lot and I would need to have somewhere in the UK where she would be welcome.
    
    Misha posted: "I am not saying that it is impossible to make money here, it is quite possible in fact - but you obviously don't have an idea how to do it, and learning this and working it takes a while," and it is obvious to me that indeed, I don't know how to do it. I was excited about the first hundred I made many months back and people said that after that I would find regular payments and the money increasing but that never happened. What I earn here is nowhere near enough or regular enough to even pay my rent which is only 320€ a month.
    
    I have learned from this new major problem in my life that the Law of Attraction doesn't work for me. I bought the book The Science of Getting Rich and wrote a hub about it and instead of attracting money into my life I have lost the only regular source I had.
    
    I can manage through February and maybe March too on what I have got coming for this month's wage plus what is already in the bank but then I am going to be stuck. Ideally I need a new job to start in February.
    
    My ideal is to get another job as a classroom assistant and I told the guy in charge of filling vacancies for schools jobs I would be prepared to move anywhere on the island or even to another island in the group here if anything comes up but obviously it hasn't.
    
    Dame Scribe, I am keeping this in mind: "one door closes another will open."

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       twuxedoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       It sems imposible, but advertisers pay for the printing and your cut. Its not really hard to sell. Its about confidence, What about a Course on Permaculture for the Locals, I am sure that there would be no shortage of students. Would have the bonus of upping the Espanol as well. Do they have Courses in this for you to Lecture in? Maybe teaching Adults is the answer, you are obviously adept at it. Is an answer.  I'm pretty confident selling, but am educated to teach and am crap at that, so I work in another area from that I graduated in. Which incidentally was the same industry as yours. Another Mate that went through with me is doing gardeniong and plans on selling the Business as a Franchise. Its pretty lucrative in this part of the World gHow would that go in Teneriffe?

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    Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years ago

    Bard, check out my hub on how I made $1000 in under 30 days, you hve to write a lot and you have to be disciplined but I am putting more time into this month and I think I can see about $1500 a month working maybe 30 hours a week or so.

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    Dale Nelsonposted 14 years ago

    Hi Bard, Sorry to hear about your predicament.
    
    I was thinking that your knowledge geographically should have some merit. Maybe to turn some of your hubs into articles for a glossy magazine in the area or the tabloids as a freelance journo. It wouldnt hurt to take a spread of a few articles to the editors and suck in the hotels and tourism to advertise.Maybe even create a wedding venues magazine for the companies relating to that field of business and be the editor yourself co-ordinating the adverts ect and articles for the month.
    
    Anyhow goodluck.Your wisdom will win through at the end of the day.

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    curioxatposted 14 years ago

    Good luck Bard!

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    CrystalStarWomanposted 14 years ago

    I strongly believe that "everything happens for a reason" and I am confident that when you come out the other side of this experience you will be a stronger and happier person.
    
    Sometimes it is really difficult to see your way out of a difficult situation as you are looking at it from only one angle and so when people makes suggestions you find yourself saying "yes but..." to everything - which can put a huge block on any forward movement.
    
    I hope you don't mind, but I dabble in tarot and divination cards and I just picked up the deck of 'Just for Today Medicine Cards' laying next to me, shuffled them and asked for a card for you - this is the message you got:
    
    Snake - Transmute all poisons. Shed the skin of the past. Honor the change in progress.
    
    Spooky eh?
    
    Personally I have gone through several major life changes over the years, but these days I earn my living through eBay - it is my main source of income and although it can be a struggle sometimes and I don't have a lot of money, I have the freedom of working for myself from home - which I love.
    
    One of my favourite quotes, adapted for when I have faced uncertain times:
    
    "Come to the edge, they said. I said: I am afraid. Come to the edge, they said. I came. They pushed me and I flew."
    
    One last thing - I lived in France for 7 years but came back to England and it was wonderful to come back home, despite the hardships and having to start again from scratch, with nothing.
    
    Perhaps Wales is calling you home again...
    
    You have a blank canvas, you have a chance to start anew! How exciting!

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    BEAUTYBABEposted 14 years ago

    I am sorry to hear that you are about to lose your jobl.
    My husband lost a good job that he had for quite a while. Now is looking for work now also, at least four months so I can empathise with you. Don't let it get to you too much, this is the key, otherwise you can get very despondent leading to depression.Keep a positive attitude.  I will keep you in my thoughts  Beautybabe

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    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    Thank you for the advice, Has-awayWithWords, toorhamza, Dale, Twuxedo, curioxat, BEAUTYBABE and CrystalStarWoman!
    
    Toorhamza, I have wasted a lot of time in the past with Internet marketing sites and things to sign up for and never made anything and ended up regretting having signed with some sites that I then had to unsub from. If it works for you - great - but it hasn't for me!
    
    Dale, I lost the column I had in a glossy mag here three years ago because they wanted more space for advertising. I have lost a newspaper column too because the paper packed up.
    
    Twuxedo you have the skills I lack - I am totally crap at selling and also lacking in confidence with doing things I am unaccustomed to doing and approaching people. In fact I tend to be shy and unsure of myself. Permaculture I know very little about in actuality even though I wrote articles for their magazine. They were all on foraging. However, there is some possibility with this idea of yours though because I know a couple here who own a property and who do organic farming, do alternative therapies and workshops etc and they have already said I could be involved with them delivering courses if they can get it all sorted out. There are plenty of gardening businesses here and nurseries.
    
    CrystalStarWoman, I went back to Wales for a week in October and found that I had changed my opinion about never wanting to live there again, although this was based on family matters and friends I have there rather than anything else. This island is where I would choose as my home in an ideal set up. Part of the reason I originally left was bacause I felt there was no future for me in Wales after spending the best part of my life looking for my break there. Whatever happens I have the responsibility of my cat to be considered and as I have already found out on this island, it is not always easy to find places to rent that allow cats. To take her back to Wales would be a big problem in itself.
    I hear what you are saying about a "blank canvas" although mine already has some stuff on it so it is not totally blank.

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       twuxedoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       My advertising skills came from sheer necesity, I was out of work, when a rellie offered me the only the only job, that seemed to exist. I was terrified at the thought, so I went and talked to a couple of really successful landagents and a Guy that sold insurance, (You know, no one with endurance like the guy that sells insurance.) They told me I had to look confident, sound cionfident, and make them want it. They also said I had to see myself as a hungry Salesman. I followed by watching a few Car Salesman, they are even worse. Watched a Dude sell a couple a Mobile Home when they only went in for a Hatchback. Worse still the first 3 clients made me feel like a piece of crap. Somewhere between crap and the next client, I started feeling browned off. So expecting the same response I sailed in and yelled the poor B... down. He bought and that is basically where my confidence developed.
       Today I have learnt pushy is not good but by finding a group of people that have connections, you get alot of Doors opened.
       I think the Guy with the $1000 Hub sounds a prospect, but I haven't the writing skills.
       Just believe in yourself, then everyone else does too.
       good Luck.

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    ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years ago

    Bard-
    I am so sorry to hear of your situation.  It is remarkable how stressful change of any sort can be, especially when it relates to our financial considerations.  My husband was out of work at the end of '09.  We're blessed that he found something relatively quickly, but those 2 months were really tough.
    
    I'm am thankful for you that you have "family situations" to consider, and that you have a wonderful pet and a place you enjoy living... but it does make starting a new avenue of life that much harder.
    
    I'm not sure how things are set up where you are, but I know around here, its fairly easy to find community venues and even local colleges and schools that teach workshops in all forms.  Even if you couldn't find a full time job as a teaching assistant, perhaps you could teach your particular areas of knowledge in workshop form through one of those venues?
    
    If it (teaching) is what you truly love, then maybe the change will be for the best in the end.
    
    I hope that everything resolves itself in a happy-ending sort of way for you in short order.  Thoughts to you.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 14 years ago

    One summer when I wanted to make money and go to the beach alot. I took plain red and green Christmas ornaments with me that I bought on sale in January for 12 for $1.50. I made a Cape Cod 1998 stencil and decorated the Christmas ornaments with beach sand. Put them in a beach bucket and a sign for $9.98. I had quite a good summer. A woman has recently gotten organized about this and is running a very successful business.
    
    Relache wrote a hub about shiny Japanese mudballs and I considered marketing them as Cape Cod mudballs. I have an entire meadow filled with dirt and mud. But I don't have the time to get a mudball factory setup. But I bet I could make ago of it.
    
    Are there bars on Tenerife and tourists - you could take tourits on a pub crawl. What about ghost tours - ghost tours of haunted pubs. I love to take those and hear local history.

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    Abodabtposted 14 years ago

    Am new on hubpages, but I really think if you give your self with writing more hubs, you will definitely earn more to pay your bills.

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    SandyMcCollumposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear the bad news, Steve! It's a hard time for many  right now.
    
    I believe nothing happens by accident, and this door may have closed, but a new one will open for you. I just hope it's fast enough.
    
    If you are in the US you can collect unemployment while you work on marketing yourself and such. Remember, multiple streams of income, even if each are small, add up. So you make none at HP but you can begin to  focus on it and begin making more.
    
    Good luck!

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    EmpressFelicityposted 14 years ago

    Hello Bard, I am in a similar but less dire situation myself at the moment, having just lost a decade-long source of income (luckily it wasn't my only source of income, but I am still going to have to find something to replace it pretty quickly). 
    
    I am similar to you in that while I have some good skills, I am crap at promoting them.  The only hard-and-fast advice I feel qualified to give is that it might be worth asking around to see if someone in Tenerife would be prepared to give a loving home to your cat, in case you decide to move back to the UK and can't face paying what it will cost to bring your cat with you.  I hope it doesn't come to that though - I know I wouldn't want to part with any of our cats!

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    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    Thank you for your responses and advice, Thoughtful Spot, Nelle, Abodabt, Sandy and Empress Felicity!
    
    Nelle, yes, there are plenty of bars here and plenty of tourists, although not in the village I am in. There are no haunted houses and no ghosts on the island. That is a real mystery. I have not heard of one haunted place here in five years.
    
    Empress Felicity, I couldn't bear to part with Tiggy. I have been with her every day most of the time for five years. No, if I have to leave she will have to come with me.

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    Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years ago

    I am currently working on a small project writing some articles that will be used as marketing articles, If you are interested I can throw a few your way to write and pay you via paypal. It won't be alot since hey aren't real high paying articles, you won't have to do links or anything just write the content, I will go back and add the other stuff. If nothing else it may give you some experience, I can then give you references if you start bidding freelance gigs and I would be willing to even promote a few of our hubs on bookmarks orlinks in my online articles to help generate some traffic.

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    Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

    Steve, so sorry to hear about your job.
    
    Like others here, my husband lost his job in August, and was recently found a new job - but it does involve moving.
    
    I feel confident you will find something that will work for you!

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    mistyhorizon2003posted 14 years ago

    Oh Steve, this is awful for you (and Tiggy). I so hope something comes up for you. Have you considered putting one of your books on clickbank (or a similar affilliate site) in order for other wrters to promote it for a commission?
    
    Take a look at how Clickbank works by going to their site www.clickbank.com but be aware there are many such sites and you can make money by having products on them that you own the rights to. These books etc are usually sold as ebooks, i.e. downloads, so no ink, paper or printing costs required on the authors part.

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       Bard of Elyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Cindy, thank you for your idea. I will have a look but I have already given up on lulu.com on sticking my poetry book on there. Problem is with all these things is that once the product exists unless people know about it they are't going to buy it anyway. I have a wonderful music album out from the UK but it is stuck at present due to lack of publicity. I have increasingly found that my creative talents are of little value here. It is why ideally I need a proper job.
       
       The school job was such a job and perfect for me and really was the best work I have ever had. I have said before and I totally mean it: if I could have a job as a classroom assistant again (not even a proper teacher just an assistant suited me fine) then I wouldn't worry about my music or writing. I had more than enough money for my needs from that and I could even make a start on clearing my debts in the UK for student loans that I am also being hounded for. I really wish I had known what a great job school teacher was here. I could have studied teaching instead of a university degree in journalism that I didn't enjoy, cannot do anything with and has got me in debt.
       
       Yes, I am depressed about all this because I have to consider Tiggy. She has been my constant companion all these years and this has been her home and unless I can find a way to stay here then I am back to square one and need to find not only a job but a place that welcomes cats and is safe or I have to take her back to the UK and the journey will terrify her as she has never endured anything like it. I don't even know where we could stay when we got there. I will not consider giving her away even if I can find a good home for her here and that in itself would be difficult too as you know.
       
       I want a permanent job and a permanent home for her and me. As it is I am now extending my range here. There was a possible classroom assistant vacancy in Taganana I heard last year, and lovely as it is there it is so remote (no shops at all) that I thought I would have to be really desperate to be there. I am really desperate now!
       
       I think I am going to tell the guy in charge of filling schools vacancies that he can now include anywhere in any of the islands I will now take. I am already down for El Hierro if a vacancy arises. Perhaps if I include the others it will find me something?

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          mistyhorizon2003posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          The beauty of sites like clickbank though is that you don't need to promote the product yourself as people like hubbers do it for you. All you do is produce a "pitch page" for the potential marketers to read, and if they like your product and they like the percentage of sales you are offering to them, they will add links to it within their own articles on relevant subjects. The beauty of this is that as your only overhead is the cost clickbank will charge you, plus after you make a sale they will pay the affiliate whose site generated the sale for you, and then you will get the balance. Most clickbank products offer the marketer between 50 to 75% commission, but this is fine for the author as his costs are next to nil each sale. Don't forget,these products are sold as downloads, not hard copies
          
          I can see a book like your "Herbs of the Northern Shaman, A Guide to Mind-Altering Plants of the Northern Hemisphere", being very marketable and also popular to buyers, (especially as so many of these plants are naturally growing in their on gardens). These are the kind of products that will sell well on Clickbank, NOT poetry type books I'm afraid.

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             Bard of Elyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Cindy, I can't put that book up there I don't think as it is now signed to a proper publisher again - O-Books. Thanks for your idea though! I battle onward!
             
             Possible good news here: they may want an English speaker/teacher for a private school in Santa Cruz. I don't mind moving there. Someone is finding out for me.

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                mistyhorizon2003posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Oh I do hope that works out for you Steve as it sounds like you do love teaching. Just another thought, are you getting royalties on your book at least? You could always write another book on a smaller but similar topic and put it on Clickbank or a similar site. Those kind of products do sell you know.

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    manlypoetrymanposted 14 years ago

    Bard of Ely: Wish you much success in whatever you decide to tackle next!

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    CMHypnoposted 14 years ago

    Hi Bard,  could you start a blog on ex-pat living/green living/tourist events/things to do in Tenerife and the Canary Islands and get local bars/hotels/tours/events to pay you to post or put up adverts?  It might take a bit of time to take off, but could become a regular earner?
    
    Also what about contacting the big tour operators about working in their kids clubs or as a rep?  Or as an animal lover, contact the vets or kennels/catteries to see if there is any work cleaning cages/feeding/excersing?
    
    Or start a dog walking service or take in pets for people going on holiday or going to their houses and feeding/exercising?
    
    Or cleaning/ironing for people or in hotels?
    
    Try to build up a diverse portfolio of jobs, then you won't be so exposed when one ends.
    
    Good luck and thinking of you.

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    Nelle Hoxieposted 14 years ago

    On a very practical level for immediate cash what about waiting table or bartending?

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    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    I think unless I can find something I can do from home that I am going to have to move to stay on this island as there is nothing here. I live in a village with two shops a handful of bar restaurants and mainly Spanish residents. The nearest city is also mainly Spanish speaking and this rules me out for working there as my ability with the language is limited. So I need to be in an area with lots of English speakers - in other words a resort town.
    
    CMHypno and Nelle, I would need to be in an English speaking area to get any of the sort of work you suggest.
    
    I am feeling a bit more positive about this but am not feeling at all confident which is what you need to be to impress people.
    
    Thank you for your suggestions though, everyone!

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    emievilposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear about this Bard of Ely. Hope you will find something (and find it fast). Good luck and good health to you.

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    Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years ago

    Bard, I sure hope you are able to find something, From what I see you do have some writing ability. Your author score and number of followers clearly shows you have the ability to write a large number of hubs and create a following. Use those skills and check out that site I told you about before my friend. sign up for a free account and bid on freelance jobs that you may be able to do. They have everything from writing and rewriting to telemarketing jobs and even paid to blog under someone elses username.

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    Sufidreamerposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your problems, Steve - especially with the cat.
    
    We had a similar problem in Greece, trying to find an income without speaking the language.
    
    The freelance writing sites saved us - it takes a wee while to build up a reputation, but you can make $200 - 300 per week.
    
    A lot of the work is pretty mundane but it pays the bills.
    
    If you are interested, shoot me a PM and I will help you to get started on oDesk
    
    EDIT: Sounds like hasaway knows the freelance boards, too

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       GeneralHowitzerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Wow Sufidreamer, whoa, you have great ideas with you there can I join the bandwagon, I need some ways to earn income too. My earnings right now is good enough, though, but I'm getting married soon and I need some ways to earn?

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          Sufidreamerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Sorry, GH - I missed this post!
          
          Hopefully, I am going to put up a Hub about oDesk in the next couple of days.

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    Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years ago

    FYI,   I have about 10 articles that are deadlined for this evening that I will not be able to complete, this was a large project and I am going to be about 10 articles short, these are 550-650 word articles with very general info that won't require much if any research. They are related to ski wear and ski gear if anyone is interested let me know. I can pay you thru paypal immediately on completion.

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       GeneralHowitzerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       @ I'll give my best shot at it pal... if of course Bard will not take it hehehe...

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    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    Has_aWayWithWords, I have just seen this so I assume it is too late to take up your offer as it is evening now. Perhaps you gave it to GeneralHowitzer?
    Sufidreamer, I have sent you an email. Thank you for the tip!

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    Has_aWayWithWordsposted 14 years ago

    Hey bard,  I do actually still have a few to do my friend. I working on here and working on articles.  How many articles of about 650 words can you do in the next few hours? they are on ski clothing...ca you email me thru my profile? don't want to put too much in the thread and get bombarded with who knows what..lol

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    WriteAngledposted 14 years ago

    Steve,
    
    Gobaith!!!
    
    Absolutely understand that you cannot forsake Tiggy. An animal is not just an animal once it has made contact with the heart of a human.
    
    You have school contacts. Use them to ask for ideas and/or to sell yourself.
    
    Home tutoring local school kids in English?
    Tutoring local workers from the tourism industry in English?
    
    Perhaps even, a course of evening classes in conversational English?
    
    Even if the Spanish end doesn't work, how about offering editorial services to tourist places putting stuff out in English?
    
    A web site featuring places to stay, eat, do things, with people paying you to feature them?

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    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    I have a couple of possible leads and if all else fails it looks as if I am going to be doing freelancing as I know many other hubbers do and also writing more commercially-orientated hubs about stuff I am not interested in but that could generate money! Unless I can find something I like then I can't see any other option.
    
    Thank you for your suggestions, WriteAngled!

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    Wayne Orvisburgposted 14 years ago

    Hey Bard sorry to hear the news. However,last time I got "let go" from a job, it ended up being one of the best things that could have happened.
    
    I haven't read everything on what it is you actually do but I see it has something to do with teaching. Have you checked out Talkbean or something like that. This lets you tutor people in English online via a webcam. You can freelance for them or if they are hiring actually get a job. My wife worked for them for a while and all she did was sit around the house in front of the computer talking every once and I while.
    
    Good luck brother!

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       wychicposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Same here! I was terrified of letting go of my $9.25/hour job to strike out on some of my own ideas, even though I knew my own ideas had much better earning potential. That paycheck paid the bills...just barely, but it still did, and with a family it's hard to decide to eliminate it. Thanks to the way life works, I kind of got thrown at my ideas...and never ended up going back. I looked for outside jobs a couple of times, but every time I started putting out applications my freelancing would perk up, and now you couldn't pay me enough (at least, no one will) to ever go back.

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    rmcrayneposted 14 years ago

    I feel your pain Bard.  After 20 years in the Air Force, and working 10 to 15 hrs a day for the last 7 years, I felt I earned a rest.  My soon to be ex-husband will be relieving me of 25% of my pension, sooooo, rest is over! Will be job hunting in earnest starting tomorrow.

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    Bard of Elyposted 14 years ago

    Thank you for your responses, Wayne, Wychic, Rmcrayne and Jyoti!
    
    I have a couple of leads on this island that are being followed and I have had some great advice given me by Marisa Wright on improving my hubs - thank you, Marisa! Sufidreamer and Has_aWayWithWords have also introduced me to freelancing work so thank you to them too!
    
    I am feeling a lot more positive now!
    
    Jyoti, I could not come to India because it would be even more difficult to bring my cat.

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       JYOTI KOTHARIposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       What are your expertise area? Indian economy is flourishing and you may get some online job.
       Thanks,
       Jyoti Kothari

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    2patriciasposted 14 years ago

    Could you offer English lessons on Skype - the professional channel, so you get paid for every 15 minutes?

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       Bard of Elyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Perhaps, although I am not very good with Skype! Thank you for the idea though!

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    The Bardposted 14 years ago

    Hello Bard of Ely - and as you once greeted me when I joined - greetings from one Bard to another.
    
    I'm sorry to hear about your economic problems, but having come late to this thread, and read every post, I get the impression that you're inhibited by your cat!
    
    I understand that folks can be attached to their pets, but sometimes we have to let go. I have admired your output here on Huppages for many reasons, and the eclectic mix of knowledge and passion you exuberate. However, I figured you for a strong individual where sentiment would not influence you.
    
    I wish you well in your endeavours, and I suspect you will find light at the end of the tunnel.
    
    Until then - good luck. Your feline friend has no idea of your concern, but presumably your love and compassion for it will somehow justify your current restrictions.

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