CMetaphor
Quadfather
Backstory:
In the next few days I'm going to be evaluated for medical retirement. I've been off work 2.5 years, living almost insurance paycheck to insurance paycheck. But once the decision comes down, my income on medical retirement will drop a bit as well. I'm not sure exactly how much yet, but it may be as much as 15-20% less than what I got on insurance.
So, I need a way to get some additional income. And I'm looking for suggestions on what you guys can suggest. My physical condition means most jobs are out, and other (mental) issues mean I'm likely looking for something I can do from home.
Pretty much the rest of my miserable, pain-filled life is going to be affected by this. Losing more income means I may even be forced to sell my house, car, and many others things or at least downgrade them.
So, additional income ideas...
Mini CV:
I've been an electronics and computer technician since I was in my teens, working full time with the title since turning 20 (so 15 years experience). I've done music (bass and singing), teaching (sailing instructor) and I've done many "over and above" projects at each place I've ever worked (I like making things better, improving things, etc). I'm also a gamer (who isn't nowadays) if that matters at all.
TL;DR:
Here are the ideas I've got so far, that may or may not be possible:
1) Voice acting / dubbing.
Before things turned very bad in my life (way before the pandemic) I had been working on a good home studio, with the goal of maybe/possibly returning to music. I've got a very nice console, 8in/8out FireWire capture (Digi 003), and my big ass server Behemoth. In addition, soundproofing (not yet completed), mics, and many other things common to both singing and voice work. I've been doing voices casually for years, so it would take a good amount of practice and work, but I think it's at least a bit possible.
2) Game streaming / YouTube:
Never done either, even casually, but I'm well aware of how it works. Streamers stream games, but I'm probably not good enough to stand out nor can I play for extended periods due to pain. The YouTube side would be a channel, which can make some income, but again I'm not sure of how to stand out or make a name to make it "functional". Obviously I've got 90% of the kit required for either, so equipment and setup isn't a problem here.
3) Inventor, prototyper, custom PC work?
Yeah, an all over the place option... I've been toying with inventions in my head for years (and I don't think I'm alone in doing so, or am I?), so making and creating new things - whether it's directly related to PCs/technology or stretches outside that area - could be extremely rewarding. A dream job, even. Sadly, this is the option that (so far) is (by far) the least likely. In a good week I can do 6-8 hours of work Total, spread across as few non-consecutive days as possible. So the physical aspect of this idea is already... Discouraging. Yes, it would be a dream job to mat things, build things, prototype things and invent things... But I have serious doubts if my body could handle any of it. Plus I don't own a 3D printer, my workshop is barely more than an electronics workbench with added hand and power tools, and I haven't worked with CAD software since Cegep.... So yeah, not the bestest idea ever.
4) ????
5) profit?
Yeah, no. I don't have many ideas. That's why I'm making this stupidly-long wall of text in the hopes that someone actually reads it and offers advice.
Before I click "post thread" and shrink back into introversion: to he blunt, I've been weighing this debate in my head for over a year now, and it never goes well. My life isn't a happy one, I'm alone, in pain, and depressed. I really need a reason to get up, motivate myself, and live. And I really hope that finding a side job might just be enough to give me a bit of a future. Fingers crossed?
Click.
In the next few days I'm going to be evaluated for medical retirement. I've been off work 2.5 years, living almost insurance paycheck to insurance paycheck. But once the decision comes down, my income on medical retirement will drop a bit as well. I'm not sure exactly how much yet, but it may be as much as 15-20% less than what I got on insurance.
So, I need a way to get some additional income. And I'm looking for suggestions on what you guys can suggest. My physical condition means most jobs are out, and other (mental) issues mean I'm likely looking for something I can do from home.
Pretty much the rest of my miserable, pain-filled life is going to be affected by this. Losing more income means I may even be forced to sell my house, car, and many others things or at least downgrade them.
So, additional income ideas...
Mini CV:
I've been an electronics and computer technician since I was in my teens, working full time with the title since turning 20 (so 15 years experience). I've done music (bass and singing), teaching (sailing instructor) and I've done many "over and above" projects at each place I've ever worked (I like making things better, improving things, etc). I'm also a gamer (who isn't nowadays) if that matters at all.
TL;DR:
Here are the ideas I've got so far, that may or may not be possible:
1) Voice acting / dubbing.
Before things turned very bad in my life (way before the pandemic) I had been working on a good home studio, with the goal of maybe/possibly returning to music. I've got a very nice console, 8in/8out FireWire capture (Digi 003), and my big ass server Behemoth. In addition, soundproofing (not yet completed), mics, and many other things common to both singing and voice work. I've been doing voices casually for years, so it would take a good amount of practice and work, but I think it's at least a bit possible.
2) Game streaming / YouTube:
Never done either, even casually, but I'm well aware of how it works. Streamers stream games, but I'm probably not good enough to stand out nor can I play for extended periods due to pain. The YouTube side would be a channel, which can make some income, but again I'm not sure of how to stand out or make a name to make it "functional". Obviously I've got 90% of the kit required for either, so equipment and setup isn't a problem here.
3) Inventor, prototyper, custom PC work?
Yeah, an all over the place option... I've been toying with inventions in my head for years (and I don't think I'm alone in doing so, or am I?), so making and creating new things - whether it's directly related to PCs/technology or stretches outside that area - could be extremely rewarding. A dream job, even. Sadly, this is the option that (so far) is (by far) the least likely. In a good week I can do 6-8 hours of work Total, spread across as few non-consecutive days as possible. So the physical aspect of this idea is already... Discouraging. Yes, it would be a dream job to mat things, build things, prototype things and invent things... But I have serious doubts if my body could handle any of it. Plus I don't own a 3D printer, my workshop is barely more than an electronics workbench with added hand and power tools, and I haven't worked with CAD software since Cegep.... So yeah, not the bestest idea ever.
4) ????
5) profit?
Yeah, no. I don't have many ideas. That's why I'm making this stupidly-long wall of text in the hopes that someone actually reads it and offers advice.
Before I click "post thread" and shrink back into introversion: to he blunt, I've been weighing this debate in my head for over a year now, and it never goes well. My life isn't a happy one, I'm alone, in pain, and depressed. I really need a reason to get up, motivate myself, and live. And I really hope that finding a side job might just be enough to give me a bit of a future. Fingers crossed?
Click.