Suggestions wanted

[HDM]

I was a builder until the market crashed. I lost almost everything. I do still have my tools. I have almost no money. I have physical problems that prevent me from going to work for someone else. SO, I say all of that to ask your suggestions on the basics for me to work towards obtaining for survival.
God Bless,
HDM

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Sorry for your all to common anymore plight. i hope things turn around for you. I will pray for ya!
If you look at the skills, meds etc posting there is alot that can be done for virtually nothing. Charcloth for instance can be any old cloth, even a rag found in the road that can breath new life for you after a discarded soda can and a camp fire. Scout for water, look at each plant in your area and see what it has to offer (see survival sewing post), the fishing rod post cost a little line that can be recovered etc. There are several plant posting on here. build a stick shelter and then recover your used material as you "break camp". Start fires for practice. Skills and exercise are not always expensive

[eeyore]

Sounds like you should try remodeling and renovations. They can not sell there homes, they want to fix them. Another avenue would be to look at banks and realtors about fixing up foreclosures. People are looking for garages and basements to re finish. We have two handy men in our church that does that type of thing. Neither started with a lot of money, just stuck at it. If you can get started in a subdivision and do a good job then word of mouth can get you alot of work.

[EX121]

To piggyback on wht eeyore said check with local insurance companies/adjusters they ofeten have a list of client who need small repairs.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

There are a few investors who are buying foreclosures and tornado/storm damaged places here and then hiring non affiliated guys to fix stuff up. They are hard to track but the court clerk might be able to drop a hint in that direction because of all the stuff they have to file.

[barfife]

Private Message sent

[boomhower]

suggestion

Are you mechanically inclined?

If so, I would suggest auto mechanics. With the economy the way it is, a lot more people are having their vehicles repaired instead of buying new when something goes wrong with it. A friend of mine and his father had started their own place about 6 years ago (pre-recession). They were doing ok, but were struggling a little. Now, they've built a good rep, have grown their business, (3 employees), and just moved into a new (to them) larger building. Talking with them, they said that when the economy went down, their business went up.

Good luck to you.

boom

[lcas-271]

Another idea with the renovations is to hit up the real estate agents and local banks. Drop off a business card and chat with them every couple of weeks. The banks holding foreclosures might need some small projects done to improve the chance of selling. The RE agents can do the same with people trying to move homes.

I hope things look up for you soon

[baldsith]

Besides all the other great suggestions out there...alot of people want to "beef up" there exsisting house as they have no wheres to bug out too...alot of people are weary about using just anybody..if your like minded, which you came here so I am guessing you are, you would be like the guy people could go to and not draw alot of attention when they add rooms, false floors etc. I don't now your skills..just a thought...and I have been in a similar situation....lot's and lot's of prayin brother...will keep you in my prayers!!! alot of things for free on craigslist...take a look at what you have and see how you can make it work as something else...for example I have a friend that took a 5n1 painters tool and made it into a survival tool...he also turned an old tool belt into a survival belt, using the pouches...had to do some additions and adjustments but he made it work....he also made alot of cool stuff that I can't even explain to you...you'd have to see it...all outta stuff he had lying around...I guess take a look at whats in your own backyard 1st so to speak.

[addon]

First of all you should develop yourself physically and mentally.If you want to maintain yourself in business you will contact to some bank that will allow for loan.

[MustangGal]

.If you want to maintain yourself in business you will contact to some bank that will allow for loan.

I would have to disagree. With the current real estate market, and the financial instability of the economy in general, deeper in debt is the LAST place I would want to be!

You might offer to teach people how to do their own home repairs. Even offer to do workshops at home stores - for a fee, of course.

[Grinnan Barrett]

Are you in North or South GA? I know a lot of folks in the survivalist movement are in the North. Marietta Roswell on up to the state line. Making changes to existing structures for people could be a very good thing. Storm shelter building would be an area where very few are.

[rockriver]

some mighty good suggestions.
care to narrow down which part of the state you are in?

[HDM]

some mighty good suggestions.
care to narrow down which part of the state you are in?

I'm east of Atlanta

[Bill Foster]

As eeyore said, renovation is king, especially in N. GA. Some friends of mine were in the building business and when the SHTF in 08, most builders in our small town either left, or became furniture movers. When the furniture stores quit selling furniture, I'm not sure where they went. My 3 friends have been as busy as they want to be for the past 3 years doing additions and repairs. This summer, they actually built a new one! My grandfather, while he was winding down is career, became a well-sought after trim man. When he was not busy with that, he did the same, repairs and additions. Folks up here who have money, but can't sell their homes to move up are just adding on. This has caused the real estate market to go down the toilet as everything up here was grossly overpriced. Good luck and God bless.