TGIF

[wanderer03]

Thank God it's Friday. I got paid today for last week's work and I found out that drivers are generally exempt from overtime. Last week I had 47.25 hours for which I was paid straight time for the entire thing. My bus company did not break any rules because the transportation industry seems generally exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act. I think in the coming weeks that I will be less likely to volunteer for extra hours. It's frustrating to see such a low paycheck when you work hard to be on time, safe, and reliable. I now earn too much money to continue on disability, yet really not enough to live on.

I like my job because it does not involve working in an office and the social interaction is to a minimum. I like to drive but I guess I am going about it in the wrong way. Perhaps, one really needs to be an independent contractor to make enough money to live comfortably on. I'm scared of going the independent contractor route because I have poor executive functioning skills. Arrgggh! I need a weekend to decompress and for self-care.

 

[clg114]

Wanderer, I am a independent contractor and have been for 8 years. I did not do it until I was 62. I make a lot more money in half the time than I did working for somebody else. Regrets? You bet. I regret that I did not do it years before I did. I too was scared to go on my own, but it is a lot easier than I thought it would be. Research what you want to do, have a plan and know what your getting into. This is a very good option for a Aspie.

 

[wanderer03]

Wanderer, I am a independent contractor and have been for 8 years. I did not do it until I was 62. I make a lot more money in half the time than I did working for somebody else. Regrets? You bet. I regret that I did not do it years before I did. I too was scared to go on my own, but it is a lot easier than I thought it would be. Research what you want to do, have a plan and know what your getting into. This is a very good option for a Aspie.

Interesting! How are you organized? Sole proprietorship or LLC?

 

[clg114]

Interesting! How are you organized? Sole proprietorship or LLC?

Sole proprietorship. It is just me. At my age sometimes I need help. Then I will hire someone short term and pay them under the table. When I started, I had customers lined up. I only work 20 to 25 hours a week, but I have to go when they call me. Income taxes are a little more complex, but I have a part time accountant that takes care of that. I take care of the rest of the paper work. Be sure that you are ready when you start and above all, keep your customers happy! Do what ever it takes, whether it is just patting them on the back and telling them everything will be OK. or doing a job on Sunday because they need it now. You want them to depend on you, then you will be successful. Oh, it doesn't hurt to buy someone lunch every now and then, you can write it off. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[wanderer03]

I'm a long way from doing this. I have a lot of other things to work on in my life first. Right now I'm recovering from a bad three years where I was hospitalized three times. I'm slowly rebuilding my life one brick at a time.

 

[clg114]

I'm a long way from doing this. I have a lot of other things to work on in my life first. Right now I'm recovering from a bad three years where I was hospitalized three times. I'm slowly rebuilding my life one brick at a time.

It sounds to me like you are ready for some good years. Keep being you own boss in mind for the future. You have time on your side.