Family going down the pooper, utilities off, have ~9k to invest..

by marc.v
126 replies
I'm gonna try to condense this as much as possible.

My grandma died a year and a half ago, and my family is having a hell of a time adjusting. There's 6 of us here. Two are well enough to work. We simply don't make enough money to stay afloat.

My mom woke me up yesterday by telling me the light gas and water was off. Bummer. Apparently we haven't been paying them since august. I also found out that we're behind on the house taxes to the tune of ~10k yesterday.

I have no problem keeping cool. A lot of people get by with a lot, lot less. Unfortunately my family can't put things in perspective as well, and they all wind up arguing. A year of this has brewed some resentment, and it's sad to see. We're really all we have. No extended family or anything to turn to for help or anything.

Anyway, my uncle decided that we could cash out his life insurance policy to pay off the utilities and some of the house taxes. We're still gonna be in the hole for about $3k, and we're still not gonna have any more money coming in.

Before they receive and spend that money on bills, I'd like to present them with some kind of plan. I've been reading about internet marketing for the past couple months and have taken in a lot of information. I don't know if I'm suffering from information paralysis or am genuinely still learning. I haven't DONE anything to actually make money.

So, if you were completely up against the wall and had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family, what would you do? I'm open to everything. Offline stuff, CPA, whatever. The quicker the better.. it'd be nice to get all our stuff turned back on. Sustainability is a priority too, though.
#family #invest #pooper #utilities
  • Profile picture of the author raj.uk
    Marc
    Invest minimal amount to start, learn the ropes. In IM you can start with nothing (or very little). Make your first money with little investment.
    You will learn quickly when trying to start from scratch.
    Invest money when you have the experience

    Raj
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  • Profile picture of the author Spot the Ball
    Hmm, thats actually quite a difficult one, let me try and explain.

    If you had already got some grounding in the basics of what works and what just eats money with little returns it would be easy and believe me, it is pretty easy ... but you need the groundwork put in.

    Making the money isnt that difficult, knowing how to not get sidetracked is difficult as a newcomer and unless you are a natural Jedi in building sites/attracting visitors then you are in for a learning curve that will likely eat your savings up.

    Dont get me wrong, it doesnt have to eat your savings, I have done it on harldly nothing ... because I had nothing to invest from the begining and so HAD to build from nothing. If Id had a few grand, It would have dissappeared fast whilst learning and ID still be in about the same place.

    Lesson: Having the money to invest means nothing without the basic knowledge and that only comes with trying and doing ... experience.

    Money cannot speed that up.
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    Tough situation. But you don't have $9k to "invest". And I think the last thing you should do is spend the money on CPA, offline, whatever. Odds are, being new, never having done this, never having made money online - you're going to lose it all.
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  • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
    First off, here's what I would do if I was in this supposed situation.

    $9k to invest. Gotcha.

    Behind on the bills, awesome.

    Put $8.5k into the behind bills. Use the other $500 to have for gas/food.

    Get those two who are good enough to work to do whatever it takes to find work. Shovel **** if you have to. Work 12 hour days seven days a week. Do whatever it takes. Flip burgers.

    Whatever it takes.

    Take as much stuff from around the house and sell it. I'm sure you've got another $3k of stuff you can get rid of. Sell it on ebay, or pawn it.

    Get yourself out of debt. Internet marketing can be a real cash-pit if you don't know what you're doing.

    Everyone who can get a job, needs to get one. If you can work online part-time, what are your skills? Can you design websites? Can you design logos? Do you have a good voice? Can you make videos? Do you have any skills that you can freelance?

    Go to fiverr and post gigs, make a little money here and there.

    Your first goal should be to be able to sustain your family, not to invest the money into internet marketing. It's not some overnight cash-printing machine. To get to that point takes months of work usually.

    I'm saying this because I've been there. I was homeless at one point while trying internet marketing. I sucked it up and got a job, bought a place to live, a car, and got caught up on my debts before I started trying this again.

    This thread has advice on ways to make bits of money here and there, check it out.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/142737-what-do-if-youre-desperate.html

    That's the best advice I can tell you.

    -Sean
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    • Profile picture of the author PhoebeSmellyCat
      Please listen to the advice below. Do not 'invest' your money anywhere unless you know what you're doing.

      Search this forum for free ways to make money.

      Please do not listen to people telling you to buy this and that.

      Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

      First off, here's what I would do if I was in this supposed situation.

      $9k to invest. Gotcha.

      Behind on the bills, awesome.

      Put $8.5k into the behind bills. Use the other $500 to have for gas/food.

      Get those two who are good enough to work to do whatever it takes to find work. Shovel **** if you have to. Work 12 hour days seven days a week. Do whatever it takes. Flip burgers.

      Whatever it takes.

      Take as much stuff from around the house and sell it. I'm sure you've got another $3k of stuff you can get rid of. Sell it on ebay, or pawn it.

      Get yourself out of debt. Internet marketing can be a real cash-pit if you don't know what you're doing.

      Everyone who can get a job, needs to get one. If you can work online part-time, what are your skills? Can you design websites? Can you design logos? Do you have a good voice? Can you make videos? Do you have any skills that you can freelance?

      Go to fiverr and post gigs, make a little money here and there.

      Your first goal should be to be able to sustain your family, not to invest the money into internet marketing. It's not some overnight cash-printing machine. To get to that point takes months of work usually.

      I'm saying this because I've been there. I was homeless at one point while trying internet marketing. I sucked it up and got a job, bought a place to live, a car, and got caught up on my debts before I started trying this again.

      This thread has advice on ways to make bits of money here and there, check it out.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/142737-what-do-if-youre-desperate.html

      That's the best advice I can tell you.

      -Sean
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      • Profile picture of the author custom2211
        Originally Posted by PhoebeSmellyCat View Post

        Please listen to the advice below. Do not 'invest' your money anywhere unless you know what you're doing.

        Search this forum for free ways to make money.

        Please do not listen to people telling you to buy this and that.

        THIS.

        I'm new so it took me awhile to notice that about 50% of the posts on these forums are actually advertisements. Be smart. My advice: Take $20, buy a domain name and hosting for a month, sign up for amazon associates, or clickbank, and start there. Find out what works, what you're interested in, and go from there. This will equal peanuts in your pocket, but it will be a start and point you in a direction. Take the rest of the money and get caught up on the utility bills and actually pay off a bill or two. But, let me end by reminding you I'm a beginner (as in about 2 months) and what do beginners really know, eh?
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      You only really have 9K to invest if that 9K is "extra" money. Pay your bills and get a job. Quickest way to make money to stay afloat. Anyone else in your family who can get a job, should. Throwing money at IM before you know what you're doing is just throwing money away, and you don't have money to throw away if you have no income, no utilities, and are in danger of losing your house.
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    • Profile picture of the author tpw
      Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

      First off, here's what I would do if I was in this supposed situation.

      $9k to invest. Gotcha.

      Behind on the bills, awesome.

      Put $8.5k into the behind bills. Use the other $500 to have for gas/food.

      Get those two who are good enough to work to do whatever it takes to find work. Shovel **** if you have to. Work 12 hour days seven days a week. Do whatever it takes. Flip burgers.

      Whatever it takes.

      Take as much stuff from around the house and sell it. I'm sure you've got another $3k of stuff you can get rid of. Sell it on ebay, or pawn it.

      Get yourself out of debt. Internet marketing can be a real cash-pit if you don't know what you're doing.

      Everyone who can get a job, needs to get one.

      I avoided opening this thread for two days, because I was going to be a jerk and say what Sean has so eloquently said here.

      Only spend enough money to buy a domain and one years' worth of hosting.

      Then spend the rest as Sean has advised above.

      If you are in a state that Amazon permits affiliates, then sign up for the Amazon affiliate program.

      Put WordPress on your domain, and start learning how to drive traffic to your website and your Amazon Affiliate links.

      You have a long learning curve in front of you, but this method will help you learn the ropes that will always return dividends to you in your lifetime.
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      • Profile picture of the author halfpoint
        Realistically, based on your situation I most definitely would not be putting any money into IM, aside from a little bit.

        You seem to be a fairly competent writer, so why not write articles for people? There is no risk as the investment is tiny ($40 for a WSO and whatever it costs at some other forums/sites) and you should very easily be able to charge $5/article.

        Write 10 articles a day and you have $350/week. Additionally, whilst you're not writing articles you should be focused on getting a job. Yes, a real one.

        Any job that you can get that pays will suffice. You can be making decent money with a full time job + writing articles on the side.

        Investing in IM can be a good option a lot of the time, however, for someone in the situation you're currently in, it's most definitely not one of those times.

        Get a full time real job and write articles until you're comfortable again and then contemplate investing in IM.
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    • Profile picture of the author NateRivers
      Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

      First off, here's what I would do if I was in this supposed situation.

      $9k to invest. Gotcha.

      Behind on the bills, awesome.

      Put $8.5k into the behind bills. Use the other $500 to have for gas/food.

      Get those two who are good enough to work to do whatever it takes to find work. Shovel **** if you have to. Work 12 hour days seven days a week. Do whatever it takes. Flip burgers.

      Whatever it takes.

      Take as much stuff from around the house and sell it. I'm sure you've got another $3k of stuff you can get rid of. Sell it on ebay, or pawn it.

      Get yourself out of debt. Internet marketing can be a real cash-pit if you don't know what you're doing.

      Everyone who can get a job, needs to get one. If you can work online part-time, what are your skills? Can you design websites? Can you design logos? Do you have a good voice? Can you make videos? Do you have any skills that you can freelance?

      Go to fiverr and post gigs, make a little money here and there.

      Your first goal should be to be able to sustain your family, not to invest the money into internet marketing. It's not some overnight cash-printing machine. To get to that point takes months of work usually.

      I'm saying this because I've been there. I was homeless at one point while trying internet marketing. I sucked it up and got a job, bought a place to live, a car, and got caught up on my debts before I started trying this again.




      That's the best advice I can tell you.

      -Sean
      This is by far the best advice you've been given so far. A job is guaranteed money... which you need.

      You and anyone else in your family that can work needs to work as many jobs as you/they can until you're out of your hole. Then come back and try IM.
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    • Profile picture of the author ECoatTech
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post


      Put $8.5k into the behind bills. Use the other $500 to have for gas/food.

      Get those two who are good enough to work to do whatever it takes to find work. Shovel **** if you have to. Work 12 hour days seven days a week. Do whatever it takes. Flip burgers.

      Whatever it takes.

      Get yourself out of debt. Internet marketing can be a real cash-pit if you don't know what you're doing.

      Go to fiverr and post gigs, make a little money here and there.

      Your first goal should be to be able to sustain your family, not to invest the money into internet marketing. It's not some overnight cash-printing machine. To get to that point takes months of work usually.

      I'm saying this because I've been there. I was homeless at one point while trying internet marketing. I sucked it up and got a job, bought a place to live, a car, and got caught up on my debts before I started trying this again.

      This thread has advice on ways to make bits of money here and there, check it out.

      "Link was cut out due to me being a newbie."

      That's the best advice I can tell you.

      -Sean
      Very good advice even though I'm not an expert on IM. But, I do have experience with advertising in general and as well as with business financials. I have tested a Google CPA and I have noticed that I have much more to do before I get a good ROI. I know, or have a great hunch, that throwing a bunch of money will not make that ROI much better.

      Good to know that there is a way out even as a homeless person.

      Will check out that thread as well for motivation and to increase my learning curve.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steadyon
      Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

      First off, here's what I would do if I was in this supposed situation.

      $9k to invest. Gotcha.

      Behind on the bills, awesome.

      Put $8.5k into the behind bills. Use the other $500 to have for gas/food.

      Get those two who are good enough to work to do whatever it takes to find work. Shovel **** if you have to. Work 12 hour days seven days a week. Do whatever it takes. Flip burgers.

      Whatever it takes.

      Take as much stuff from around the house and sell it. I'm sure you've got another $3k of stuff you can get rid of. Sell it on ebay, or pawn it.

      Get yourself out of debt. Internet marketing can be a real cash-pit if you don't know what you're doing.

      Everyone who can get a job, needs to get one. If you can work online part-time, what are your skills? Can you design websites? Can you design logos? Do you have a good voice? Can you make videos? Do you have any skills that you can freelance?

      Go to fiverr and post gigs, make a little money here and there.

      Your first goal should be to be able to sustain your family, not to invest the money into internet marketing. It's not some overnight cash-printing machine. To get to that point takes months of work usually.

      I'm saying this because I've been there. I was homeless at one point while trying internet marketing. I sucked it up and got a job, bought a place to live, a car, and got caught up on my debts before I started trying this again.

      This thread has advice on ways to make bits of money here and there, check it out.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-internet-marketing-discussion-forum/142737-what-do-if-youre-desperate.html

      That's the best advice I can tell you.

      -Sean

      Some good advice here.

      What is missing is the fact that you can probably do a deal with the people you owe money to.

      Heck almost everyone who is up against the wall and has, comes out ok.

      These b*st*rds have probably written off your debts and been bailed out by the tax payer anyway. So at least TRY to negotiate with them.

      Offer them 3k instead of the full amount and settle for 5k.

      I know of many, many people who have done this.

      I know of many more who haven't and are really struggling.

      These corps would sooner get half the money than none.

      At the end of the day, if a family or individual is in the hole, then it is their own fault. You can't balme the economy or government or any one else. We all are responsible for our own condition.

      BUT so is the government, gas company and mortgage company.

      So get on the phone or meet with them and negotiate!

      It is important to not roll over.

      Regarding IM, I would not offer it as a short term solution, especially if you have done nothing yet. Find some jobs and earn some immediate income!

      Then over the coming months you can get things going in your "spare" time.

      Sam
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  • Profile picture of the author RaptorGabe
    I would suggest banner ads . Its paid advertising but incredibly effective. The true beauty is you don't have to spend a lot and if you do your research you can make a KILLING! Go research Banner Ads and Ad buys. Set your max budget of no more then $100 a ad in the beginning. Look for sites that your target market likes, contact the webmaster or admin about advertising, and go from there. Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
      Originally Posted by RaptorGabe View Post

      I would suggest banner ads . Its paid advertising but incredibly effective. The true beauty is you don't have to spend a lot and if you do your research you can make a KILLING! Go research Banner Ads and Ad buys. Set your max budget of no more then $100 a ad in the beginning. Look for sites that your target market likes, contact the webmaster or admin about advertising, and go from there. Good luck

      Marc, I think this is exactly the kind of pie in the sky garbage which brought you here to post.

      (Pie in the sky crap from a new member trying to hide the use of an affiliate link in their sig)

      To help us have any opportunity of helping you, how old are you and where are you located?
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  • I can really relate to your situation. I have been right where you are with owing everyone and not seeing a way out. Believe me I do understand how desperate you are to get yourself financially free. I have read some of the other responses and I agree with many of them. As tempting as it is to invest your money in your online education there are many free or almost free ways to get started online. Look into these ways and master them. Then as you see a profit invest then a little at a time. It takes a while to get the hang of IM and learning what works best for you. If you take that money and go from program to program or CPA to PPC you will likely loose a lot of your money. I think the biggest thing you need to do is find someone you trust and is obviously really making money at it and model what they do. Stick to it and don't give up. Ask questions when you need to. This forum is great for being helpful. Hope this helps!
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    • Originally Posted by miriamhigg View Post

      I can really relate to your situation. I have been right where you are with owing everyone and not seeing a way out. Believe me I do understand how desperate you are to get yourself financially free. I have read some of the other responses and I agree with many of them. As tempting as it is to invest your money in your online education there are many free or almost free ways to get started online. Look into these ways and master them. Then as you see a profit invest then a little at a time. It takes a while to get the hang of IM and learning what works best for you. If you take that money and go from program to program or CPA to PPC you will likely loose a lot of your money. I think the biggest thing you need to do is find someone you trust and is obviously really making money at it and model what they do. Stick to it and don't give up. Ask questions when you need to. This forum is great for being helpful. Hope this helps!
      That's right! You don't need to spend all your money in IM for if you are not sure to its result as you are inexperience, otherwise you will find yourself rowing in a shoreless ocean of desperation and you will just lock yourself in endless searching of "best" method.

      All you need to know can be found in the Internet for free. Just search and research. Solutions were already provided by people with the very same problems that you have and the solutions are workable and helpful.
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  • Profile picture of the author Spot the Ball
    I goto admit, I hate these kind of threads,.

    You know we can help but it aint a "rake the money in now while you need it" kind of help.

    If you look longer term like 6 - 12 months then its certainly doable, but not the gas bill money... in the next month.
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  • Profile picture of the author omk
    If I were you, I would take only half of that money and plunk it down into IM. If you fail, at least you'd have half of your money left. IM is as much a reflection of you as it is the techniques or methods you use. For example one person may love affiliate marketing, while another may be more successful doing PPC - and still another may find it more financially rewarding to delve into product creation. So your question is not as easy to answer as you may think - without you providing more info about your background and experience in IM.
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  • Profile picture of the author JonWebContent
    So, if you were completely up against the wall and had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family, what would you do? I'm open to everything. Offline stuff, CPA, whatever. The quicker the better.. it'd be nice to get all our stuff turned back on. Sustainability is a priority too, though.

    Umm.......the power and heat are off and you want to turn to internet marketing to get it back on??? Yeah, that might not be a great idea unless you want to go without for 6 months or so. Get a job.

    Why do I have a feeling this is all horsepuckey??
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  • Profile picture of the author JonWebContent
    Also, I used to be an insurance agent and I gotta ask.....

    You are going to cash out a life insurance policy in exchange for just a few thousand?? How much is the cash value of said policy?? 5 bucks!!!??
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  • Profile picture of the author donhx
    Originally Posted by marc.v View Post


    Before they receive and spend that money on bills, I'd like to present them with some kind of plan...So, if you were completely up against the wall and had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family, what would you do?
    Wake up and smell the coffee. You don't have $9,000 to "invest." Pay your bills with the money.

    Once you get back on a firm financial footing, and have saved some money, invest that in IM or some other business. As it is, you are trying to be a player with someone else's money (your creditors) and that will work against you.
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    • Profile picture of the author marc.v
      Originally Posted by donhx View Post

      Wake up and smell the coffee. You don't have $9,000 to "invest." Pay your bills with the money.
      Invest. To put money into. Wake up and don't attribute self-perceived connotations to words I'm using in the purest sense. Yes, in two weeks we will have around $9,000. We can either pay some bills, or put it into something I hope can make us more financially stable.


      There's some misplaced ****-slinging going on towards me from a few of you. I'm fully aware of my situation. I know what some of my options are. I know the internet isn't an "overnight money printer". I'm just asking for advice from the best place I can think to ask for.

      Other than that, thanks a lot for the replies so far guys. I appreciate it.
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      • Profile picture of the author donhx
        Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

        Invest. To put money into. Wake up and don't attribute self-perceived connotations to words I'm using in the purest sense. Yes, in two weeks we will have around $9,000. We can either pay some bills, or put it into something I hope can make us more financially stable.


        There's some misplaced ****-slinging going on towards me from a few of you. I'm fully aware of my situation. I know what some of my options are. I know the internet isn't an "overnight money printer". I'm just asking for advice from the best place I can think to ask for.

        Other than that, thanks a lot for the replies so far guys. I appreciate it.
        I, for one, did offer some sound, reasonable advice based on many years of experience. Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear.
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      • Profile picture of the author Buildingfutures
        Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

        We can either pay some bills, or put it into something I HOPE can make us more financially stable.

        See what I did there?

        And Marc, not to sound rude, but do how aware of the situation are you, really?

        Your utilities are off, and you're making plans with this money that from the sounds of it really isn't even yours to be making plans with.

        Those two who do work, do. That's good. The money handlers suck, that's bad. In your first post you made it sound like there is no income coming into the house at all.

        Instead of trying to figure out ways to invest that $9k, why don't you sit down and figure out a plan to use the current income to better get yourself out of the hole. There is two incomes in that house, as well as several SSI checks, there should be a way to BUDGET those incomes into doing what you need done after that $9k pays for as much of the late bills that it can.

        Be responsible with that money. Budget. Get a second job if you're working already, two jobs if you're not. BUDGET.

        -Sean
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        • Profile picture of the author GaryBurke
          Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

          See what I did there?

          And Marc, not to sound rude, but do how aware of the situation are you, really?

          Your utilities are off, and you're making plans with this money that from the sounds of it really isn't even yours to be making plans with.

          Those two who do work, do. That's good. The money handlers suck, that's bad. In your first post you made it sound like there is no income coming into the house at all.

          Instead of trying to figure out ways to invest that $9k, why don't you sit down and figure out a plan to use the current income to better get yourself out of the hole. There is two incomes in that house, as well as several SSI checks, there should be a way to BUDGET those incomes into doing what you need done after that $9k pays for as much of the late bills that it can.

          Be responsible with that money. Budget. Get a second job if you're working already, two jobs if you're not. BUDGET.

          -Sean
          This sounds to be the best advice I have read on this thread for your situation.
          I suggest you do what has been outlined and work out your income total from everyone who contributes then work out the outgoings from what you have then look at what is left,not counting the essentials like food etc.
          I would forget about investing the $9k into IM and use it to pay off your urgent debt.
          You already mentioned doing something on fiver.Good start now look at yourself and the rest of your family and see what else you can come up with in the way of any skills you can offer.

          Just remember the IM way will just suck up any money you have if you dont know what you are doing and you will end up worse than what you are now
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      • Profile picture of the author paulie888
        Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

        Invest. To put money into. Wake up and don't attribute self-perceived connotations to words I'm using in the purest sense. Yes, in two weeks we will have around $9,000. We can either pay some bills, or put it into something I hope can make us more financially stable.


        There's some misplaced ****-slinging going on towards me from a few of you. I'm fully aware of my situation. I know what some of my options are. I know the internet isn't an "overnight money printer". I'm just asking for advice from the best place I can think to ask for.

        Other than that, thanks a lot for the replies so far guys. I appreciate it.
        Marc, it's not your responsibility or duty to pull your family out of the hole with the $9,000 that isn't even yours to begin wth. You're new to internet marketing, and in this case you're deluding yourself if you think you can invest in it and be assured of a return.

        You have professed that you haven't made a dime online yet, and internet marketing is still pretty much very new to you - what if you convince your family to let you use the $9k, and then proceed to lose your shirt with PPC, PPV or Media Buys? (This is something you should ONLY be doing with discretionary funds, not your rent or bill money!) What's going to happen then??

        If you truly want to help your family out, I suggest starting from the ground up without any of that $9k which you all desperately need right now. Once you've made some money providing services as discussed above (and which you already seem to have started doing), then reinvest some of that money back into your internet marketing when you hopefully have a much better idea of what you're doing.
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        • Profile picture of the author marc.v
          Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

          Marc, it's not your responsibility or duty to pull your family out of the hole with the $9,000 that isn't even yours to begin wth. You're new to internet marketing, and in this case you're deluding yourself if you think you can invest in it and be assured of a return.

          You have professed that you haven't made a dime online yet, and internet marketing is still pretty much very new to you - what if you convince your family to let you use the $9k, and then proceed to lose your shirt with PPC, PPV or Media Buys? (This is something you should ONLY be doing with discretionary funds, not your rent or bill money!) What's going to happen then??

          If you truly want to help your family out, I suggest starting from the ground up without any of that $9k which you all desperately need right now. Once you've made some money providing services as discussed above (and which you already seem to have started doing), then reinvest some of that money back into your internet marketing when you hopefully have a much better idea of what you're doing.

          I don't think anyone with a half heart can remain idle while the people they care about live a sub-par life.

          I'm going to try the services thing while I try to find something more time-efficient and profitable.
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          • Profile picture of the author paulie888
            Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

            I don't think anyone with a half heart can remain idle while the people they care about live a sub-par life.

            I'm going to try the services thing while I try to find something more time-efficient and profitable.
            Please stick with that for now. Learn to do some simple IM services like article writing, blog set up, backlinking, etc.

            Let me dispel a myth for you right here - you do not need to be an expert in anything to be a good article writer. That's what Google is for - what you need to do is to be able to integrate that knowledge cohesively in a short article, and have a strong call to action. Articles are typically in the 400-500 word range - no PhD or high-level writing skills are needed here!

            It's very admirable for you to care about your family like this. And you can do something about it right now as I've outlined above - just don't gamble with your family's rent or bill money.
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            • Profile picture of the author marc.v
              Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

              Please stick with that for now. Learn to do some simple IM services like article writing, blog set up, backlinking, etc.

              Let me dispel a myth for you right here - you do not need to be an expert in anything to be a good article writer. That's what Google is for - what you need to do is to be able to integrate that knowledge cohesively in a short article, and have a strong call to action. Articles are typically in the 400-500 word range - no PhD or high-level writing skills are needed here!

              It's very admirable for you to care about your family like this. And you can do something about it right now as I've outlined above - just don't gamble with your family's rent or bill money.
              Actually, now that I think about it, a friend of mine had me build what I now know are backlinks to his blog a few months ago. I also make a few posts on his blog. I can set up wordpress - that's easy.

              This same friend had me e-mailing business owners asking if they wanted a mobile site built for them, and then when I sent out ~1000 e-mails and finally had someone interested, he had me make it with a website called mobisitegalore.

              I didn't think anything of it at the time. It was just easy beer money for brainless work.

              I might not be as completely clueless as far as IM goes as I thought.
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              • Profile picture of the author paulie888
                Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

                Actually, now that I think about it, a friend of mine had me build what I now know are backlinks to his blog a few months ago. I also make a few posts on his blog. I can set up wordpress - that's easy.

                This same friend had me e-mailing business owners asking if they wanted a mobile site built for them, and then when I sent out ~1000 e-mails and finally had someone interested, he had me make it with a website called mobisitegalore.

                I didn't think anything of it at the time. It was just easy beer money for brainless work.

                I might not be as completely clueless as far as IM goes as I thought.
                Marc, I'm glad I'm getting you to see that there are actually quite a few options for you in terms of what you can do, without having to spend any money at all.

                Both blog commenting and backlinking are services you could offer here, on other forums, and also on Fiverr.

                Mobile sites are a great way to pick up some fast cash too. I'm familiar with mobisitegalore - even your typical 8 year old could set up mobile sites with this in 1 hour or less!

                If you have the initiative and gumption, I think you could get significantly more sales by either going offline and approaching your local businesses directly (build a sample site first so that you have some proof of what you can do), or cold calling. It won't be easy initially, but if you're really determined to get your family out of the hole, this could be the ticket that gets you there.

                Paul
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              • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
                Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

                Cut back any "luxury" expenses: cigarettes, booze, water with sugar (aka pop) and stuff like that.
                Those are luxuries?

                Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

                I said what I wanted you guys to know to wrap your head around my situation. Those are the given variables. Some of you are extrapolating on, and even ignoring them. Believe it or not, that is not helpful. I'm asking a forum full of people who make money for advice on something they're good at. What I'm not asking for is a lecture, but I got one from a bunch of you. Rest assured, your misplaced high-horsery has gone completely ignored.
                Hmm, so you enter a room full of strangers who you thinkare making money and expect everyone to drop everything and give you some whiz bang marketing plan to make you money?


                Beyond that, I didn't ask for generalized advice. I didn't ask "Hey guys, SHOULD I try to make something happen with this money?". I asked "WHAT can I make happen with this money, if anything? What would you do to make some money in my spot if you had a few bucks to start with?" If you can't directly address what was written, do not post. If someone is asking you what you would do with amount of money and all you can think to say is "pay your bills, get a job", do not post. Realize that not everyone is a moron and that I wouldn't have even made this thread if I didn't understand the risks involved in spending my (family's) last dollar on either a) basic neccessities or b) an opportunity.
                "Get a job and pay your bills" is a perfectly good response - and those who are answering you with that advice do make money online - so don't be so quick to discredit them. They are telling you what they would do in your situation given what they are perceiving as your current line of experience.

                I could sit here and rub your back and say "oh, it will be ok dear - you can make this money" but honestly even with all the variables you've given there tend to be many more which we don't know about.

                And if you look up the law of averages you will quickly discover your odds in this are slim to none.

                You are looking for sustainable which really means starting a serious business from scratch.

                Have you ever started a business before? Do you know that many start up businesses fail? Do you know that many start up businesses take time to see their ROI? For some it can take years.

                Anyway, your wanting to ignore those responses that are warning you does not show me you are persistent, but that your head is in the clouds.

                If you are serious about your family and helping them, then you should not be on some marketing forum. You should be having a family meeting where everyone should be contributing to solutions that you have all caused upon yourselves.



                I'm sitting here using an extension cord from neighbors house to power my computer. If not for the light given off by the monitor, I wouldn't be able to find my way to the fridge that's powered the same way. I'm pretty aware.
                And as bad as that sounds, I'll say you still have not hit "bottom" yet.

                Plug the dam first, then figure out how to get the water out of the town.

                They're definitely not as happy as they could be, and to me, that [b]is[b] drowning. I won't let them do that.


                The fact that someone knows more about internet marketing than I do and has been making money doing it for longer than I have (or haven't, for that matter) doesn't command any respect at all. I do heed sound advice when I see it. Its come from a minoity of people in this thread. I am pointedly thanking them for it in this post. If I didn't thank you, you didn't provice sound advice.
                Again, you are seeing only what pleases you and what you want to see.

                Good luck.
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                • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
                  Hi,

                  You've had a lot of mixed advice so far so I won't repeat any of it. There are some things you could consider that haven't been mentioned:

                  1 - You could spend some of that money getting training in a skill you can use to make money. Really this only makes sense if you already have a passion for something but need the skills or tools to make a go of it - like you said you can't use photoshop. If you could - you could definitely make money doing graphics for people - I ALWAYS pay someone else to do mine even though I can do it because they do it quicker and better.

                  2 - You could buy tools/software that others can't afford and offer a service.

                  Check out the WSO section and Warriors for hire. There are a LOT of people making money offering things that are simple when you have the tools. One example are all the "30000 links" packages - these are just using tools that make it simple. One common tool is called Xrumer - it let's you create tons of web2.0 profiles at the click of a button - people pay good money to have this done for them (I know - I've paid in the past). Then there's a tool called Scrapebox - which makes it easy a couple of clicks to find thousands of niche related blogs and tells you their PageRank so you know which ones to comment on first. Again people are paying for these lists from others and you can create hundreds of them quickly and easily with this tool.

                  You get the idea - there are people making money regularly right now doing this in front of you in this very forum. I have these tools but don't offer these services because a lot of people will happily do it for far less than I would consider - I actually still even pay others to do this because I'm lazy.

                  3 - You could do a JV with someone already successful.

                  Find someone with a big list and offer to create a product specifically for their list only. You might spend $1000 making the product but a good JV can bring that back ten-fold.

                  4 - You could hire several full-time outsource employees and offer their services (writing, seo, link building etc..) and just be the manager and take a cut of everything.

                  5 - You could buy some sites that have existing income and do some marketing to improve their revenue. This is something you should take advice on though because it's easy to make a site look like it makes money but really doesn't.


                  Then if you want to go right outside the box - buy $5000 worth of silver coins and sit on them for a couple of years. I know that's not exactly short term but I believe it would serve you well. (the price has gone up 30% in the last few months - that is HUGE).

                  I know I said I wouldn't repeat what's already been said but I do think you should take away the following points:

                  1 - It's great that you want to help your family and I admire that - I'm the same. But it is also true that you are not responsible for making them happy - we really do all live in our own world and if they are actually depressed you're waging a battle you can't win. YOUR happiness is in your control and you can certainly give others some reason to be happy but they may still choose not to be. If they haven't already had help for their depression they should definitely get it - there are many forms of depression, some that simply eating better, exercising and sleeping properly can sort out and some that need medication.

                  2 - As you can tell from the previous comments IM is not as easy to get right as all the sales letters are telling you. You can't believe most of them. I'd go so far as to say stay away from anything that promises you an income.

                  You can definitely make money and create a good income but it's unlikely to come from jumping into something quickly. Success does leave footprints and as some of my examples above show - it can be straight forward, but it's often uncertain and highly unpredictable until you have some experience.

                  3 - As with gambling there's a saying about not gambling anything you can't afford to lose - if you can't afford to lose your money - seriously consider spending it on IM unless you have a rock-solid plan you know will get results.

                  4 - Good luck with everything. You're obviously an intelligent and very caring person and whatever happens your family are lucky to have you. If you can't make a huge difference for them don't feel bad about it. The fact that you're trying says a lot about you and is very positive but it is possible for your generosity to bite you if you lose sight of putting yourself in at least as high a priority as you put others. Think of when you fly in an airplane - they always tell you that if there's an emergency - put your own oxygen mask on first. If you don't give yourself the help first - you won't be in a position to help those around you. This goes for life. It's fantastic to help others but you do need to make sure you're also supporting yourself properly in order to help others more effectively.

                  Warm regards and good luck with everything. Thanks for being brave enough to air your problems here and ask for advice.

                  Andy
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    • Profile picture of the author coolbreeze
      Originally Posted by donhx View Post

      Wake up and smell the coffee. You don't have $9,000 to "invest." Pay your bills with the money.

      .
      If you are way underwater in your bills, I would be sure the $9K everyone tells you to put to those bills will actually get you something. Many people are not paying their bills (such as mortgages) because its throwing good money after bad.
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  • Profile picture of the author brandon2664
    STEP 1 - Realize that you are not too good for physical Labor
    Buy Lawnmower or carpet cleaning machine.
    STEP 2
    Print Out Flyer

    How can you not pay the utilities and still have internet access. Get your priorities straight. Get your but off the computer and go out and do some REAL work. I'm not saying that internet marketing isn't real, but the returns will not be instantaneous.
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    • Profile picture of the author theory expert
      Banned
      Originally Posted by brandon2664 View Post

      STEP 1 - Realize that you are not too good for physical Labor
      Buy Lawnmower or carpet cleaning machine.
      STEP 2
      Print Out Flyer

      How can you not pay the utilities and still have internet access. Get your priorities straight. Get your but off the computer and go out and do some REAL work. I'm not saying that internet marketing isn't real, but the returns will not be instantaneous.
      I agree!

      You should do something along these lines. Use craigslist and take jobs and rent a uhaul,moving, moping, cutting grass, and, any other side jobs you and the family can do.
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  • Profile picture of the author marc.v
    Some of you guys are being jerks without knowing all the variables. If you're like JonWebContent and you're going to say "get a job", don't bother posting. Obviously I would if I could.

    @BuildingFutures - The two that can work, do work. The ones who can't collect SSI. The people who manage the money aren't very good at it, apparently, or we wouldn't be in this situation.


    @kindsvater - 20, Los Angeles. It's a pretty rough inner-city neighborhood.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

      Some of you guys are being dicks without knowing all the variables. If you're like JonWebContent and you're going to say "get a job", don't bother posting. Obviously I would if I could.
      You're the one who put the "variables" out. Don't ask for advice if you don't want our advice ... not the advice that you want to hear, but the advice that we think is appropriate for the situation.

      You of course can disregard it and throw money at WSOs or anything else you want to spend it on, but if you've done any real reading on the forum, many people have very little success for ... sometimes years and sometimes never.

      If you want to build an online business, it's going to take time and work and there's no guarantee that it will pay off. You'd do better to figure out what skills you have, if any, and offer them for money. That's the quickest route to online money until you know more about building an online business.
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    • Profile picture of the author JonWebContent
      Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

      Some of you guys are being jerks without knowing all the variables. If you're like JonWebContent and you're going to say "get a job", don't bother posting. Obviously I would if I could.

      @BuildingFutures - The two that can work, do work. The ones who can't collect SSI. The people who manage the money aren't very good at it, apparently, or we wouldn't be in this situation.


      @kindsvater - 20, Los Angeles. It's a pretty rough inner-city neighborhood.
      You come looking for advice from people to help you through your tough situation and you refuse to take the advice given?

      Here's the ONLY advice you need........

      If you are behind on bills and struggling to keep a roof over your head, there is absolutely ZERO possibility of keeping that roof over your head if your job choice is to start a business. You will dig yourself deeper in debt.

      Why can you not get a job for a few months to save up the money? Cashing out a life insurance policy at a young age to cover a temporary debt is a BAD financial decision. You will regret it 20 years from now.

      Starting a business (online or offline) takes time in order to make money. In fact, it takes longer to make money ONLINE. If you sell offline, at least you can put on a nice tie and drive down to a local business district and hand out and speak to other business owners.

      You really have 2 options......

      1.Get a job/sell something profitable OFFLINE

      or

      2.Just give up. I'm serious too. I don't endorse quitting- except in a situation like this. You aren't giving yourself a fair shot if you are this desperate for money, so there really is no point in trying. You would quite literally be better off just taking the $9k and going to the casino with it and having a good time. At least there's the SLIM possibility of getting some sort of ROI.

      A few years ago, I became an independent health insurance agent. While I wasn't in your situation, I did receive a check for almost $900 within 3 weeks. That's not a lot of money, but my point is this would be a good route for you to go if you have sales skills. If you don't- forget it. I invested very little up front and at first, I sold exclusively to local businesses. I hated it. Hated every second of it, which is why I got out of the business. But I would even be so kind as to help you get started.

      If you can afford to hold off for at least 4-5 months, then by all means.......give the IM world a shot. If not..........don't do it man. Be more responsible than that.
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  • Pay your bills, and spend zero money on IMing.

    If those in your 6 member family can not work, they can help by writing articles.

    Your family could very easily put out 20 articles a day, probably much more.

    Submit them to an article directory and keep pumping them out.

    This will give your family a point of focus, and everyone will feel like they are contributing.

    Article marketing is free and effective, and drop-dead easy for the beginner.

    Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author bay37
      Originally Posted by CoolAromas View Post

      20 articles a day
      Sell them. $5 x 20 = $100/day. Takes a week or two to become established, if you do good work and honour deadlines.
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      • Profile picture of the author thebitbotdotcom
        Originally Posted by bay37 View Post

        Sell them. $5 x 20 = $100/day. Takes a week or two to become established, if you do good work and honour deadlines.
        If you or anybody in your household can write or type, the above is what I would do in your situation. Unless you are very experienced in IM, your 9000 bucks could very well and most likely will be flushed down the crapper. That's just the honest truth of the matter.

        There are plenty of people in this world who will gladly sell you a "solution", take your 9K and leave you with nothing and sleep well tonight after having done it to you.

        Write tons of articles and sell them. I don't believe that passive income like you are seeking is an option for you right now, friend.
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  • Profile picture of the author marc.v
    Alright, I'm just going to ignore posts that, when boiled down, read "get a job, gain financial footing". You're right, that's not what i want to hear, but not because I don't want to get a job and because I'm looking to the internet as a quick-fix, but because that's not helpful in any way.

    donhx, you barely read my post. There aren't even any "creditors".


    Anyway, I just found my fiverr account info. I'm going to create a few gigs for voiceover work. It's not really what I'm looking for, but it'll be something, at least.

    About turning my family into a content mill... haha. Maybe. I'll see if anything better presents itself first.
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    • Profile picture of the author bay37
      Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

      About turning my family into a content mill... haha. Maybe. I'll see if anything better presents itself first.
      Then become a content mill yourself. Better than whatever you're doing on Fiverr.

      Also - successfultrollissuccessful.jpg

      Have a nice day.
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      • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
        Priority - utilities. January is no time to have them off, even in SoCal.

        House taxes - $10k doesn't sound like taxes unless you're in a mansion. Paying real estate taxes would not be a priority. Let the county put a lien on. Possible foreclosure is a different matter for a mortgage.

        Do you have a PayPal account? If not, apply for one now.

        What are your interests? What do you know about? Nothing is too obscure, silly, or anything else you can think of as an excuse not to let us know something that could be helpful for providing specific advice.
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        • Profile picture of the author Izesta
          Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

          Priority - utilities. January is no time to have them off, even in SoCal.

          House taxes - $10k doesn't sound like taxes unless you're in a mansion. Paying real estate taxes would not be a priority. Let the county put a lien on. Possible foreclosure is a different matter for a mortgage.

          Do you have a PayPal account? If not, apply for one now.

          What are your interests? What do you know about? Nothing is too obscure, silly, or anything else you can think of as an excuse not to let us know something that could be helpful for providing specific advice.

          Real state taxes differ DRASTICALLY across the country. Maybe they are low where YOU live, but they can easily exceed $10,000 in many states for just one year.

          I'm in the mortgage business and property taxes in NJ are easily $10k/year. A lien might not be obtained for a while, so a 2 year debt could approach $20k before you know it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
      Banned
      Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

      I'm just asking for advice from the best place I can think to ask for.
      No, what you're really asking is for people to tell you what you want to hear instead of telling you the truth.


      Originally Posted by marc.v View Post


      About turning my family into a content mill... haha. Maybe. I'll see if anything better presents itself first.
      Well, if they aren't willing to contribute to making their situation better, why should anyone here waste one second doing it?
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie888
    I'd caution against spending ANY of that $9k on internet marketing for now, since you seem really new to all this and have not taken action on anything yet. Furthermore, you have much more pressing bills and obligations to worry about.

    Please forget about all the get-rich quick products and systems which promise to generate thousands for you while barely lifting a finger. Do not get seduced by all these promises, but instead just focus on providing services online (if you want to do something online) and also get a part time job that will at least provide you with some consistent income.

    Depending on internet marketing to pay the bills is not a very good idea, especially when you're still new to all this and have not even made a single dime online. Focus on getting out of the hole by offering services online if you can, and learn about internet marketing while you're doing this.

    Now is not the time to dream about big riches on the internet. Just focus on learning for now; providing services will at least provide you with some quick bursts of cash if you focus on that, and implement some of the free and/or low cost IM knowledge that you pick up along the way. If you do decide to spend money on things like hosting, domains, backlinks, etc., only spend it using the money that you've made online. Do not take anything away from your critical rent/billl money to spend on your IM.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    Marc - those people telling you to get a job and not invest your money in IM are not giving bad advice. Take note that these people are people that are experienced in IM and know how hard it can be. $9000 investment isn't going to guarantee a return and if you're not careful you can easily lose that money.

    I suggest, just like others, that you use that money to pay your bills. You can start making money online without investing 9k, many of us started with no investment capital.

    IM can help you out and if you can't get a physical job then IM might be the answer. You really need to do your research and you need to decide what business model you want to follow and then stay focused on it. IM can be very profitable but it can also be quite difficult and many people don't ever make a profit or may take years before they discover the right method to make a profit.

    So my advice:

    1. Use your 9k to pay the bills and not to invest in IM
    2. Think about what your skills are and what type of business you want to do in IM
    3. Research, research and more research
    4. Stay focused and be prepared to put the time and effort into your online business.

    What are your skills Marc? Do you have any particular area of expertise that you can offer as a service? Can you write articles, can you do graphics? If we have an idea of what your skills are then maybe we can point you in the right direction to get started.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alton Hargrave
      I would put everyone to work doing whatever they can, but not spending time and money on Internet marketing. This stuff is best learned part time on weekends or at night after everything else is done. If you put all your time and money into it when you don't know anything about it, you are most likely going to wind up with virtually nothing.

      Think about what I am telling you. There are lots of people, some here, that would gladly take your last penny while telling you that they can lead you to riches.

      However, studying a little each night after working at the mill all day can someday pay off.

      As Barney Fife once said, " Diversification is the key to riches!" Or, something like that, anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author FranciscoDancon
    The quality of your writing is really very high. Having purchased content in the past, I can tell you that webmasters are ALWAYS on the lookout for high quality copy writing. Check out the warriors for hire section, and see what the prevalent rates are. Write a few articles to get a portfolio going, and then you can place an ad in warriors for hire and you'll have a business in no time with very little investment. You can build from there, but don't put yourself in a situation where you're likely to lost that 9K and then have your family resent you even more and find yourself in a worse place.
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  • Profile picture of the author LB
    With that much debt you don't have ANYTHING to invest.

    Since you say that only a couple people in the house can work isn't there any sort of assistance programs available to you through the local government and/or charities?

    In many states you can have the utility companies put you on a payment plan if your income is below a certain threshold thus getting them turned back on for a pittance of what paying them off would be. It would be better if you could make a reduced monthly payment rather than having to back pay all the old bills at once.

    Put pride by the wayside and do whatever it takes.

    Utilities companies and tax offices will often come up with a payment plan for those in hardship. Unfortunately, many people never ask, and simply stop paying which results in many more problems down the line.
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    The two that can work, do work. The ones who can't collect SSI.
    Money isn't the issue, it's spending.

    Between those six incomes you've got to be brining in at least 6k a month.

    Let me google a solution for you... create home budget
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I think Marc is a younger member of the family.

      How many of the six people are 18 or older?

      I get a picture of a family that was managed and cared for by his Grandmother. When they lost her no one stepped up to be responsible.

      kay
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      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      One secret to happiness is to let every situation be
      what it is instead of what you think it should be.
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  • Profile picture of the author willyboy104
    Marc, I hear your aggregation dude I really do! About 10 years ago when my parents divorced and my mum had to adjust to being a single mother with three kids two which where in the teens and my dad had to change his whole life. Things got tough! Electricity would suddenly cut out, my mum couldn't pay for jobs around the house that needed doing and we sometimes struggled to get enough food shopping.

    Tough times, but it helped strengthen my thought about money and is value and affect.

    Basically what I want to say is, invest as little as possible. If you have time then you can invest at the most $30 or $40 for domains and hosting.

    Then do everything else your self, when you start making money re-invest and keep doing this until you can take a bit out each month for your family.

    If you have other family members needing to earn money, have a look at freelance jobs you can pick up easily. Money is out there to be made you just might have to graft for it hard!

    Good luck!
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    If you want to learn how to make money online, no bullshit click here.
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  • Profile picture of the author Oxbloom
    Here's what I don't think you're getting Marc, maybe because nobody is saying it explicity.

    If you spend $9,000 on kickstarting your IM career, it will take a little while before you start seeing the sort of returns you're looking for. Returns that will make your whole family's situation more "financially stable." In addition, you are putting that $9,000 into things OTHER than bare necessities of life.

    If you spend NOTHING on kickstarting your IM career, it will STILL take a little while before you start seeing the sort of returns you're looking for. But not necessarily a whole lot longer. AND you won't be putting your $9,000 at risk -- which is crucial in your situation.


    All you need is a little info to get started in the right direction. I see you're already a War Room member, so there are a million good plans staring you in the face. Pick one with no startup costs, and get going.

    Good luck, mate.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Durham
    Perhaps, if you are dead set on this and really want to get into IM, go look at a couple of websites that are for sale for a couple of hundred dollars or less. That amount isn't going to hurt you one way or the other. Buy it, learn how to run it, learn how to promote it for free. It will give you a taste of what this is all about without you having to start from scratch. If you do decide to look, ask someone with experience what they think of a site that catches your eye. Sometimes you can get lucky and find something in a targeted niche that has potential, that is already set up with a decent design and some content, ready to go. Though you will still have to seek income elsewhere, you can begin your IM career with something to work with without having to deal with design, etc...
    Just don't get taken in by all of the scams and buy the first thing. Ask opinions.
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    yes, I am....

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    • Profile picture of the author :Elective-
      Hey dude,

      it's quite sad hearing your situation now, but to some extent i do agree to the other posts around, saying that you are not really serious about this, and are looking for the easiest way out. If you are in the US I can do nothing to help, but if you're outside of the US PM me. I have just the solution for you, and the solution itself it's not easy. think be4 you PM me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Durham
    PS: you said; "We're really all we have. No extended family or anything to turn to for help or anything."

    Pal, in this world, "you" are really the only one that "you" have. Each one of us is alone. Sometimes, we must live our own lives, for ourselves, even though others decide to drown.

    The best of luck to you
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    yes, I am....

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    • Profile picture of the author PhoebeSmellyCat
      You say it's your uncle's decision to cash in his insurance to pay off the utilities and some of the taxes.

      That's his money and his choice on how to spend it, not yours.

      Why would you want your family to suffer through months of no water, gas or electricity just to so you can go chase some pie in the sky theories?

      And what are you planning to do if your plan does not work and you're now out $9K? Now you would have no back up money, no gas, no water, no electricity and possibly no home.

      Does that sound like a plan to you?

      (On a side note, I think this guy is just jerking us around...)
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  • Profile picture of the author jackpot9
    Hey Marc,

    If i'm in your shoes, i would spend at least 8K paying away the debts, and i'm left with 1k. Out of these 1k, most of it goes to gas and food and spend maybe a few dollars advertising SERVICES you can provide on fiverr or warriors for hire etc.

    Also rush to get a physical job and earn some money online providing services.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylvia Meier
    Marc,
    Here's some advice for you.

    Get your uncle to spend 8k or so on the bills. Use the remaining one for food and neccessities.

    Borrow $40 from your uncle and put up a WSO offering your writing services. Your intial post and responses are pretty good writing wise. You just need to offer your services.

    Or even go with $100. Post your services in the Warriors for Hire section, and use $40 to create a services WSO. I'll explain the other $40 in a moment.

    If you need help creating your WSO, PM and I'll walk you through it. It won't get you rich, and it takes work, but you could at least add a couple hundred dollars to the income of the house, and with the 8k paid on overdue bills, it can at least get you moving in the right direction.

    There's two directions you could take the WSO. Write some PLR content and offer it in packages, or go the unique content route and pick up some bigger clients. If you go the PLR route, you can set it up with e-Junkie to deliver it, or WSO Pro so that it's all automated while you work on other writing projects.

    And keep your head up. It can be hard to be the young one trying to give the "adults" advice. If you work hard, you can create your own income stream, without having to get out in the real world (I'm not sure if you are one of the ones working or not) and do it.

    Best wishes,
    Sylvia
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  • Profile picture of the author SamirSM
    Well clearly you don't heed sound advice, don't care about diplomacy and don't respect people who have earned thousands of dollars or more via IM for years now while you have "been reading about it for 2 months".

    So, I'll be straightforward.

    Unfortunately my family can't put things in perspective as well (..as ME)

    not gonna have any more money coming in.

    I haven't DONE anything to actually make money.

    I'd like to present them with some kind of plan

    had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family

    I'm open to everything. Offline stuff, CPA, whatever.
    Does that sound like Perspective and Plan to anyone?

    ......

    That apart,

    "We're still gonna be in the hole for about $3k"

    Does it not mean you will still have a "debt" of $3k?

    Then how do you not have creditors?
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Listen:

    YOU are in debt.
    Your utilities are OFF.
    Your title says family gong down the pooper utilities off 9k to invest???

    I think there is something that is seriously wrong with this post. As a family you need to band together to fight the problem. but let me tell you.

    It takes hard work hours and hours of time,testing,trial and error,writing and rewriting.finding what is the sweet spot and what doesn't fly. For you to take the money you desperately need and put it anywhere except into the needs of your family is downright ludicrous

    So. Do you need a product to sell? OK Fine I am willing to give you something to help.
    However. it is up to you to utilize the products and sell them WITHOUT dipping into your funds at all. Running a wso doesn't even guarantee you will make 1 sale. You need a lot of things on this forum to succeed one of them is a reputation. You need to be wise in your thinking not foolish. that said pm me and I will give you a download link to help you out.
    I hope you use wisdom and help your family without taking what you desperately need to function and blowing it on some crap product that may or may not work.
    -Will
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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  • Profile picture of the author Coby
    Okay, all the risks aside and all the lecture and what you should and shouldn't do with the money blah blah blah . . . . I'll just skip all of that and I'll give you something that MIGHT work and would be FAST!

    1. Pick a niche (this would probably work best in the IM niche)
    2. Create a really nice report (or have it outsourced)
    3. Pick a domain that matches the niche and the free report (purchase it of course)
    4. Get hostgator hosting, you can find coupons that will allow you to purchase first month for a penny, (I think it is HGC4APENNY or something, I don't know you can search for google) also you can sign your mom or uncle up as an affiliate of hostgator and use their link to sign up and thats another $50 you can put back in the business
    5. Get an Autoresponder
    6. Create a series of messages in AR, include a 'promo' email after ever 5th or so message that links to an affiliate product (using your link of course).
    7. Create a squeeze page on your new domain to give away the free report
    8. Create a One Time Offer (OTO) that the subscriber will see after they opt-in. This can be using an affiliate link or you can create a product that will compliment the free report.
    9. Use $2000 and purchase solo ads. This should allow you to purchase 10 solo ads that guarantee 1000 clicks each. This should bring you 300-600 subscribers PER solo ad. So this could net 3,000 - 6,000 subscribers.
    10. Use this new list and treat it like gold, because this is your new business. If you build the relationship you will easily recoup your investment in affiliate commissions.
    11. You will also now be able to sell solo ads to your new list you can charge 30-100 bucks depending on how many clicks you can guarantee (and how big you list ends up being). You can also ad swap with other marketers to continue building your list.

    This is what you asked for. A way to quickly earn money online. If you wanted to get a bigger list you can invest more than $2000 in solo ads. But doing it how I listed above will only run you about $2500 and that would include outsourcing a report and OTO product.

    Good Luck
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  • Profile picture of the author dake
    Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

    I'm gonna try to condense this as much as possible.

    My grandma died a year and a half ago, and my family is having a hell of a time adjusting. There's 6 of us here. Two are well enough to work. We simply don't make enough money to stay afloat.

    My mom woke me up yesterday by telling me the light gas and water was off. Bummer. Apparently we haven't been paying them since august. I also found out that we're behind on the house taxes to the tune of ~10k yesterday.

    I have no problem keeping cool. A lot of people get by with a lot, lot less. Unfortunately my family can't put things in perspective as well, and they all wind up arguing. A year of this has brewed some resentment, and it's sad to see. We're really all we have. No extended family or anything to turn to for help or anything.

    Anyway, my uncle decided that we could cash out his life insurance policy to pay off the utilities and some of the house taxes. We're still gonna be in the hole for about $3k, and we're still not gonna have any more money coming in.

    Before they receive and spend that money on bills, I'd like to present them with some kind of plan. I've been reading about internet marketing for the past couple months and have taken in a lot of information. I don't know if I'm suffering from information paralysis or am genuinely still learning. I haven't DONE anything to actually make money.

    So, if you were completely up against the wall and had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family, what would you do? I'm open to everything. Offline stuff, CPA, whatever. The quicker the better.. it'd be nice to get all our stuff turned back on. Sustainability is a priority too, though.
    Go for a job, freelance or regular whatever you can accomdate yourself with. Don't go for quick earning look out. Don't spend your 9k savings. Earn from job, make savings from your job as well. This way you will ave both the 9k savings as well as savings from your job.

    You have mentioned that you have done quite a lot of research on internet marketing, I am sure you can land a job as SEO trainee. Market your services as SEO forum poster or trainee on craigslist. Be honest with your skills and you will have a job, adapting you to SEO skills, helping you in the long run in initiating internet marketing for yourself in the future.

    Best of luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author tonyaphx
    Here's where IM sucks for newbies the products you see about making money online they are most of the time showing you how easy it is to make this money yada yada yada, but what they don't tell you is all the pieces of the puzzle yes, they make that kind of money, but they do not tell you everything or how many websites they have pulling in that money or how much they spent out to make that much money in their clickbank accounts. I have been doing IM for about 7 yrs and I still do not make the kind of money they say you will mainly because I do things on trial and error and I spend more time reading instead of doing what I am taught. This type of business takes a lot of time and effort and about 95% of marketers fail so don't think you will get rich over night it usually does not happen. It will take you 6 months to a year to start making in the $1000 range and that's almost working online daily. You would hate to lose this money online and then your family be living in a shelter. There has to be a way to be able pay off your debts and then get a loan or something. Good luck to you I hope everything turns out okay for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    I'd like to present them with some kind of plan
    Then give them a REAL PLAN how to budget the income they have. (as it already was suggested) - That's what your family, including you, needs: a realistic, disciplined plan.

    What did the late Grandma do differently that the family survived?
    If all those people live under one roof there should be only ONE that manages the cash flow. Not everybody. Just one - the brightest!
    Cut back any "luxury" expenses: cigarettes, booze, water with sugar (aka pop) and stuff like that.
    Don't order food and don't get takeout: those sitting at home should cook - it's cheaper and healthier

    Make note of every step you make to address your misery. Make it a report at the end.
    Buy the $7script for literally $7 and sell your report. Sell it for $15. Sell 10,000 copies. After expenses you would still have more than $10,000. Now THAT is money you can invest.

    P.S. Cashing a whole life insurance policy should be the very last resort. The payout is miserable... usually way less than you hope. Trust me, I used to sell insurance and I know nobody reads the small print in the policies.
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    • Profile picture of the author AustinDigital
      As others have stated, put that money towards your bills. You may have that money, but it is to live off not to invest. When you invest money, you want that money to be disposable (aka if you lose it it won't really change things too much).

      I'm not sure if someone recommended this, but is the rest of your family fluent in english or any languages? You can have all of the ones who are unable to work be freelance writers, backlinkers, data entry, etc.

      There are a few free lance websites such as Odesk.com and Elance.com that they can all sign up at and get paid. Generally a decent english writer can get paid 1-2.5 per 100 words. So if they all can sit at home cranking out articles why you and the others are at work, you should be able to recover some.

      You can always do freelance work on the affiliate marketing forums as well. Best of luck, but investing that money into anything besides bills would be the last thing I would do in your situation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tess D
      Marc - first off, I want to congratulate you for trying to step up to the plate and take control of a family situation which sounds, frankly, in need of some objective assistance.

      It is difficult for adults to break through the denial of being broke, especially if there are other issues (like illness) that prevent them from gainful employment.

      The first issue to address is see what money is coming in and when. That is all you can spend. You can not spend the 9K - it will not go as far as you are thinking.
      Second, get the utilities back on so you can function. Call them and set up payments. Most utilities have a low income assistance program as well, so you won't have heat turned off.
      third, go to a food bank and stock up With 6 people in the home, you can get all of your basic supplies covered (except fresh stuff like milk and eggs). Do not feel ashamed - they are for everybody who looses a job or lands on hard times so that they DON"T deplete what cash they have.
      Fourth, call your county, city , state tax board and set up a payment plan
      Fifth make a budget. Go to Stretch Your Budget: Free and Low Cost Services - State of California and use the resources there.
      Stick to it. If you can work at a "normal" job, do. I used to do janitorial work, and clean peoples yards (farm animal waste) and haul it - anything I could - to survive. If you can, do that and start by writing articles. DO NOT SPEND THE 9K on anything you have to.
      Finally, you didn't mention if there are credit cards involved. If so, call them and tell them you have to make alternative arrangements.

      As for people making assumptions on income, ignore them. Everyone things SSI / SSDI pays a lot and it doesn't. You could have 4 people on SSI and still be less than 1700 / mo. income. What ever your situation, just use the llink I posted to CA state resources for your situation - no cash there, but lots of good help - and keep focused.

      Shelter, food, water, heat, medical, clothing, transportation. All else is extra.
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      • Profile picture of the author Taylor French
        Originally Posted by AnneHouse View Post

        Marc - first off, I want to congratulate you for trying to step up to the plate and take control of a family situation which sounds, frankly, in need of some objective assistance.

        It is difficult for adults to break through the denial of being broke, especially if there are other issues (like illness) that prevent them from gainful employment.

        The first issue to address is see what money is coming in and when. That is all you can spend. You can not spend the 9K - it will not go as far as you are thinking.
        Second, get the utilities back on so you can function. Call them and set up payments. Most utilities have a low income assistance program as well, so you won't have heat turned off.
        third, go to a food bank and stock up With 6 people in the home, you can get all of your basic supplies covered (except fresh stuff like milk and eggs). Do not feel ashamed - they are for everybody who looses a job or lands on hard times so that they DON"T deplete what cash they have.
        Fourth, call your county, city , state tax board and set up a payment plan
        Fifth make a budget. Go to Stretch Your Budget: Free and Low Cost Services - State of California and use the resources there.
        Stick to it. If you can work at a "normal" job, do. I used to do janitorial work, and clean peoples yards (farm animal waste) and haul it - anything I could - to survive. If you can, do that and start by writing articles. DO NOT SPEND THE 9K on anything you have to.
        Finally, you didn't mention if there are credit cards involved. If so, call them and tell them you have to make alternative arrangements.

        As for people making assumptions on income, ignore them. Everyone things SSI / SSDI pays a lot and it doesn't. You could have 4 people on SSI and still be less than 1700 / mo. income. What ever your situation, just use the llink I posted to CA state resources for your situation - no cash there, but lots of good help - and keep focused.

        Shelter, food, water, heat, medical, clothing, transportation. All else is extra.
        Nice advice except for the food bank bit. The vast majority of food banks do not take family size into account. You get the same amount of food whether you have one person or ten in your household. Maybe there are exceptions, but I've never seen one. Food stamps will count family size, but food banks generally will not.
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        • Profile picture of the author ronc0011
          I am in a similar situation I have a small budget and am working against time to get something going. To date I have about 3 months invested in the learning curve and am beginning to get a bit of a handle on what needs to be done and what is money down the drain.

          My approach, at least lately, has been to secure some of the basic needs like hosting. I went ahead and bought hosting with Hostgator for a year ($109... I think). Their "baby plan" lets you host unlimited domains so I can add domains as needed. Right now I have 6 domains hosted there. The domains I purchased were ".us" domains so they were like $4 a piece for a year. So now I have 6 Wordpress sites that reside on a server that I can access from any internet connection. Basically this gives me a year to get something working and it has cost me something like $130 for domains and hosting. The other place I have spent some money and that I feel were good investments was on some tools. I bought a copy of Scrapebox that I got for about $57 on 'Blackhatworld"

          I mentioned Wordpress earlier. WP is probably your best bet for site building and it's free. It also comes with your account on Hostgator. WP is highly geared for SEO and there are endless plugins to help with the same.

          I have avoided anything that has a monthly fee except of course the obvious like the hosting and domains where I paid for a year up front. All the tools are single payment and licensees where I can use them on unlimited sites.

          So, so far I have spent just shy of $200 for a year of internet presence wherein I can work on getting this on a paying bases. Obviously this doesn't qualify as free but it is pretty cheap to buy a year of doing business.
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    • Profile picture of the author genietoast
      Honestly, I wouldn't do internet marketing just yet. That can take more time than you need.

      Learn to be a website copywriter, so you can start writing those $1000 pages. You need the big cash.

      Go over to Nick Usborne's site and look for the $500 course called Copywriting 2.0. You'll learn more than just writing one-page sales pages. You can write web copy for IT companies, high-paying clients, etc.

      Nick Usbourne is a Canadian copywriter who's been writing for 25 years. He's done copy for Disney and other companies. He's got 11 years of web copywriting under his belt. He's considered THE go-to web copywriting expert.

      We're talking the big income. You've got $9000. Spend $500 on the course, spend the rest on your family. This is how I would invest little to bring much, plus you provide a service to others.

      It's called Copywriting 2.0 Nick Usbourne's site.

      In the short term:

      If you have any books to sell, go to CKYBooks.

      If you've got any CDs/DVDs/Games to sell, go to SecondSpin.com.

      Are any of your family members eligible for unemployment? Unemployment benefits are supposed to be extended.

      If no one in your family is needle shy, you can donate blood and get a few bucks from that.

      I'm sure you know best how to prioritize your bills. Once you learn to master copywriting, start with your local web businesses. Tell them you charge $200 a page or something. They may or may not know the difference.

      Vista Print can create 200 business cards for free. If you order more, you have to pay.

      The cool thing about copywriting is that you can get clients to pay by check, direct deposit, PayPal. However you want.

      Another copywriting course that's a little cheaper, i.e. $47 a month is from the site Copywriting.com. but it takes longer. 6 months.

      You're a trooper to keep calm for your family. Times are tough. I know they're arguing, but they need you to be steady. I'll pray for you tonight. You might want to take a look at this site, too.
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    • Profile picture of the author goindeep
      I would get a job.

      I would tell anyone else willing and able to also get a job.

      I would consider like another warrior has already recommended, buying a lawnmower or steam cleaning machine and handing out flyers, if you dont wanna work for someone else.

      Internet marketing is not for the desperate.

      When i was in a bad situation in Germany a few years back, i was talking to this internet marketing dude about what i could do, i told him i had 5K on a credit card to invest and his wise words where "Get a job".

      The reason he said that to me is the reason im saying it to you now. Internet marketing is a risk, and depending on what you do the risk varies. Considering you and the family have all those bills to pay and its gotten to the point where you need to use your uncles life insurance money i would say internet marketing is the last thing you wanna do for now.

      Many online marketers will say i dont have any belief or that im negative. Its not that at all, its simply a different perspective. You just are not in the right frame of mind at the moment, your coming from a place of desperation. Let me put it to you like this. Say you do decide on internet marketing, and you put all that 9K into it.

      The first thing is that money wont be made overnight, it will take time, adsense and clickbank alone make you wait about a month for a cheque and thats depending on wether ot not you hit the minimum limit, then you got design, content, marketing bla bla bla to worry about. In the end 6 months from now you 'might' be better off, but not in the short term, it will get worse before it gets better. Internet marketing takes time.

      And you certainly wont be pulling in thousands per month. I can guarantee that. But if you get a job, you WILL MAKE MONEY OVERNIGHT. Thats guaranteed. You know who thats guaranteed by? Your federal government. And as a walk in with no experience i know that a minimum salary here in Australia can go for about as high as $22 per hour, doing something simple like customer service. Multiply that 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, 4 weeks per month. BOOYA! You got some money to pay the bills.

      Ask any other person willing and able to do the same. BOOYA again! 6 months down the track you have paid out all debts and there is some ice cream in the freezer even

      Then put your focus into online marekting.
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    • Profile picture of the author dblacker
      Here's a real list of 101 ways to make money online - perhaps it will get the wheels turning:

      101 Creative Ways to Make Money Online - Part 1 | MetaFever.com | Tutorials

      Wish you the best of luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    For starters, I would not present such a plan to your family. Let them do with the money as they wish.

    My reasoning is simple: before you can use a computer to make money, you need to realize you gotta be able to provide it something called electricity. Then there is a little problem called 'rain and snow', which computers absolutely hate (well maybe not Panasonic Toughbooks, but we know you ain't got one of those). Houses tend to keep that nasty stuff off computers, they are a must too.

    So let them use that money to keep the lights on and the house over your head, and raise your own capital to launch your business instead.

    It's not all that expensive. Domains are $9 bucks a year, hosting is like $10 a month, and you can take payments via paypal which is free, and create infoproducts via research at the library and the internet. Once you get that far, it's all pedalpower and self motivation.

    A little simplistic, but you get the general idea.

    Hope this helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author JenBevan
      Wow! You're post has certainly generated a lot of interest!

      I understand how you might be frustrated by the fact that a lot of the advice is not exactly what you were hoping for but it might be worth carefully considering the main theme running through this thread. That is, paying your bills is one issue and growing an IM business is a separate one. To look for a quick IM solution is the kind of thinking that gets you into a situation where you can't pay your light bill.

      Newbies often stumble when they realise behind the sales hype that there is a learning curve that takes a lot longer to climb than they thought. More than money, with IM you need time, patience, perserverence and an ability to keep focus so that you are not flicking around from one thing to the next when it's 'not happening' fast enough.

      In my personal experience, desperation for money hampers your ability to make money with online marketing. I would definitely encourage you to move forward with IM but make sure you are giving yourself the very best opportunity to succeed by taking off the financial pressure with a more traditional exchange of time for money.
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      • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
        Originally Posted by JenBevan View Post

        Wow! You're post has certainly generated a lot of interest!

        I understand how you might be frustrated by the fact that a lot of the advice is not exactly what you were hoping for but it might be worth carefully considering the main theme running through this thread. That is, paying your bills is one issue and growing an IM business is a separate one. To look for a quick IM solution is the kind of thinking that gets you into a situation where you can't pay your light bill.

        Newbies often stumble when they realise behind the sales hype that there is a learning curve that takes a lot longer to climb than they thought. More than money, with IM you need time, patience, perserverence and an ability to keep focus so that you are not flicking around from one thing to the next when it's 'not happening' fast enough.

        In my personal experience, desperation for money hampers your ability to make money with online marketing. I would definitely encourage you to move forward with IM but make sure you are giving yourself the very best opportunity to succeed by taking off the financial pressure with a more traditional exchange of time for money.
        This is very eloquently worded thanks for sharing it
        -Will
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        "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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    • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
      Marc:

      Please, please, please listen to what these people are saying.

      A business is a risk. And it requires that you have money you're willing to put at risk to try to make stuff happen. That is why the money you throw at it is called risk capital.

      Taking money used to pay necessities like housing and utilities and risking it on a business is a fools game.

      You want something anyone can do? Try Ebay. Start with some of the items around your house you don't want anymore, clean them up, take pictures of 'em and put them up for sale. Just make sure it's ok with everyone before you do this, you don't want to be accused of stealing stuff.

      It might sell, it might not sell. If it does sell, make a note of it and find something similar to sell. If it doesn't sell, make a note of it and find something else to sell.

      The object of the game is to figure out what sells, what doesn't sell, and what that item will sell for online.

      Eventually, you will be able to hit neighborhood garage sales and the local salvation army store, spot stuff you can buy low and sell high, and make some decent money.

      This should be enough to keep you busy for awhile. If you can get this far, and you've developed a pretty good feel for this, PM me and I'll tell you what to do from there.

      This isn't glamorous, but it's real internet marketing. It's something your whole family can get involved in, it's cheap, and if you do it right you can have a ton of fun with it.

      Now you got a plan, now just do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zentech
    Dude... my answer is not gonna be popular, but I'd advise thinking carefully about whether you want to gamble your last 9k on IM in your situation. It sounds like you need to be looking for something more secure and reliable right now. Not forever, but just for right now.

    It's probably the first time I've ever said it to anyone and it may be the last as well, but... get a job. That seems like the way to go for now.
    Signature
    * Stupid Offer: Killer Sales Letters ***$897*** Just For Warriors. Ethical Clients & Legit Products Only. *
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  • Profile picture of the author bigredrassler
    Marc, my serious advice to you. If you have a skill, even a still developing skill, that you plan on using in internet marketing, first get someone to pay you to use that skill. I have always been great at persuasive writing. I have started a copywriting business(currently being restructured) but before I did it for myself, I worked for media organizations writing their commercials and print ads.

    If you can write html, go to your local library and get a book on CSS and one on PHP, learn these two, and boom, you can get a job as a web master.

    If you are an artist, and want to focus on design, put together a portfolio and start applying for graphic design jobs.

    If you can speak clearly and not sound like you are reading, go to radio stations and offer to be an additional voice on their commercial rotation.

    If all you are able to do is sit in a comfortable chair and push buttons on a computer, then get a data entry job.

    If you are one of the ones who currently works, know this, you can get a second job.

    If you do not currently work, know that there is a job for you out there that will not be difficult for you to do because it is obvious you are functionally literate and able to use a computer.

    Lastly, sit down with your family and let them know that there is a road to wealth, and a way out of poverty, but the first step is to curtail spending. Here is how to create a budget so you don't even have to click a link.

    List neccessary expenses, rent or mortgage, food, utilities, gas or bus fare, and other NEEDS. Figure up the cost of those items. Subtract that from household income. If you have positive, then your family should not spend any more money than what is absolutely essential. If you have negative, then the two who work need to get second jobs, and anyone who can do anything at all to bring in money(legally) should do so.
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  • Profile picture of the author marc.v
    Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

    You're the one who put the "variables" out. Don't ask for advice if you don't want our advice ... not the advice that you want to hear, but the advice that we think is appropriate for the situation.
    I said what I wanted you guys to know to wrap your head around my situation. Those are the given variables. Some of you are extrapolating on, and even ignoring them. Believe it or not, that is not helpful. I'm asking a forum full of people who make money for advice on something they're good at. What I'm not asking for is a lecture, but I got one from a bunch of you. Rest assured, your misplaced high-horsery has gone completely ignored.

    Beyond that, I didn't ask for generalized advice. I didn't ask "Hey guys, SHOULD I try to make something happen with this money?". I asked "WHAT can I make happen with this money, if anything? What would you do to make some money in my spot if you had a few bucks to start with?" If you can't directly address what was written, do not post. If someone is asking you what you would do with $xxxx amount of money and all you can think to say is "pay your bills, get a job", do not post. Realize that not everyone is a moron and that I wouldn't have even made this thread if I didn't understand the risks involved in spending my (family's) last dollar on either a) basic neccessities or b) an opportunity.

    To be honest, I'd rather have them sitting in the dark for the next six months for the chance at more than just barely scraping by. If it doesn't work out, hey, we're still breathing, and we tried.

    Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

    See what I did there?

    And Marc, not to sound rude, but do how aware of the situation are you, really?
    I'm sitting here using an extension cord from neighbors house to power my computer. If not for the light given off by the monitor, I wouldn't be able to find my way to the fridge that's powered the same way. I'm pretty aware.

    Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

    Your utilities are off, and you're making plans with this money that from the sounds of it really isn't even yours to be making plans with.
    It can't hurt. Of course if I come up with something good enough and they want to try it, great!

    Originally Posted by Buildingfutures View Post

    Those two who do work, do. That's good. The money handlers suck, that's bad. In your first post you made it sound like there is no income coming into the house at all.

    Instead of trying to figure out ways to invest that $9k, why don't you sit down and figure out a plan to use the current income to better get yourself out of the hole. There is two incomes in that house, as well as several SSI checks, there should be a way to BUDGET those incomes into doing what you need done after that $9k pays for as much of the late bills that it can.

    Be responsible with that money. Budget. Get a second job if you're working already, two jobs if you're not. BUDGET.

    -Sean
    Great stuff. I think that if I don't come up with a way to make some money for us, what I will present to them is a clear-cut budget. I think the sole reason we're in this situation is because of poor spending habits and bad budgeting.

    Originally Posted by paulie888 View Post

    I'd caution against spending ANY of that $9k on internet marketing for now, since you seem really new to all this and have not taken action on anything yet. Furthermore, you have much more pressing bills and obligations to worry about.

    Please forget about all the get-rich quick products and systems which promise to generate thousands for you while barely lifting a finger. Do not get seduced by all these promises, but instead just focus on providing services online (if you want to do something online) and also get a part time job that will at least provide you with some consistent income.

    Depending on internet marketing to pay the bills is not a very good idea, especially when you're still new to all this and have not even made a single dime online. Focus on getting out of the hole by offering services online if you can, and learn about internet marketing while you're doing this.

    Now is not the time to dream about big riches on the internet. Just focus on learning for now; providing services will at least provide you with some quick bursts of cash if you focus on that, and implement some of the free and/or low cost IM knowledge that you pick up along the way. If you do decide to spend money on things like hosting, domains, backlinks, etc., only spend it using the money that you've made online. Do not take anything away from your critical rent/billl money to spend on your IM.
    Thanks for that. I'm thinking of what services I can offer but I don't really have any marketable skills that'll raise enough money, I don't think. I gotta try, though, so I'll see where it takes me. Article writing is attractive, but i don't hold really hold any expertise on anything. I'm not a dumb guy.. I just dont have too much hard knowledge.

    Oh, and i was just under the impression that money loves money. If there's something I can start with for free and make a profit in a few months, surely there's something I can throw a few dollars at and see better results faster. That goes back to what the guy said about having proper grounding in IM, though, and he's right.

    Originally Posted by Sheryl Polomka View Post

    Marc - those people telling you to get a job and not invest your money in IM are not giving bad advice. Take note that these people are people that are experienced in IM and know how hard it can be. $9000 investment isn't going to guarantee a return and if you're not careful you can easily lose that money.

    I suggest, just like others, that you use that money to pay your bills. You can start making money online without investing 9k, many of us started with no investment capital.

    IM can help you out and if you can't get a physical job then IM might be the answer. You really need to do your research and you need to decide what business model you want to follow and then stay focused on it. IM can be very profitable but it can also be quite difficult and many people don't ever make a profit or may take years before they discover the right method to make a profit.

    So my advice:

    1. Use your 9k to pay the bills and not to invest in IM
    2. Think about what your skills are and what type of business you want to do in IM
    3. Research, research and more research
    4. Stay focused and be prepared to put the time and effort into your online business.

    What are your skills Marc? Do you have any particular area of expertise that you can offer as a service? Can you write articles, can you do graphics? If we have an idea of what your skills are then maybe we can point you in the right direction to get started.
    I can tell your hearts in the right place. Thanks for posting. Unfortunately, no. I can't build websites, I'm awful at photoshop, I haven't brought a page to number 1 on google, etc. I'm sure I could do any of the things I just mentioned, but time is a factor here, which is why I was hoping to come up with a way to leverage that money and do something [i]everyone[i] with a little know-how can do.

    Originally Posted by Alton Hargrave View Post

    I would put everyone to work doing whatever they can, but not spending time and money on Internet marketing. This stuff is best learned part time on weekends or at night after everything else is done. If you put all your time and money into it when you don't know anything about it, you are most likely going to wind up with virtually nothing.

    Think about what I am telling you. There are lots of people, some here, that would gladly take your last penny while telling you that they can lead you to riches.

    However, studying a little each night after working at the mill all day can someday pay off.

    As Barney Fife once said, " Diversification is the key to riches!" Or, something like that, anyway.
    Haha. Thanks for that. I'm gonna give it a shot as soon as I find a "mill" I can work from home.

    Originally Posted by jasonmorgan View Post

    Money isn't the issue, it's spending.

    Between those six incomes you've got to be brining in at least 6k a month.

    Let me google a solution for you... create home budget
    The only thing you've shown me is that you don't know how much people on SSI get, and hey, you didn't even have to hyperlink to something to do that.

    Originally Posted by willyboy104 View Post

    Marc, I hear your aggregation dude I really do! About 10 years ago when my parents divorced and my mum had to adjust to being a single mother with three kids two which where in the teens and my dad had to change his whole life. Things got tough! Electricity would suddenly cut out, my mum couldn't pay for jobs around the house that needed doing and we sometimes struggled to get enough food shopping.

    Tough times, but it helped strengthen my thought about money and is value and affect.

    Basically what I want to say is, invest as little as possible. If you have time then you can invest at the most $30 or $40 for domains and hosting.

    Then do everything else your self, when you start making money re-invest and keep doing this until you can take a bit out each month for your family.

    If you have other family members needing to earn money, have a look at freelance jobs you can pick up easily. Money is out there to be made you just might have to graft for it hard!

    Good luck!
    I hear ya man, I know it's out there. This was my first stop for advice and I've gained something from the thread. Nothing is gonna keep me from at least trying.

    Thanks for the post and well wishes.

    Originally Posted by Oxbloom View Post

    Here's what I don't think you're getting Marc, maybe because nobody is saying it explicity.

    If you spend $9,000 on kickstarting your IM career, it will take a little while before you start seeing the sort of returns you're looking for. Returns that will make your whole family's situation more "financially stable." In addition, you are putting that $9,000 into things OTHER than bare necessities of life.

    If you spend NOTHING on kickstarting your IM career, it will STILL take a little while before you start seeing the sort of returns you're looking for. But not necessarily a whole lot longer. AND you won't be putting your $9,000 at risk -- which is crucial in your situation.


    All you need is a little info to get started in the right direction. I see you're already a War Room member, so there are a million good plans staring you in the face. Pick one with no startup costs, and get going.

    Good luck, mate.
    Thanks a bunch. I didn't know that I couldn't expedite the proccess if I had money to spend. That's what I wa shoping for, but I guess not.

    Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

    I think Marc is a younger member of the family.

    How many of the six people are 18 or older?

    I get a picture of a family that was managed and cared for by his Grandmother. When they lost her no one stepped up to be responsible.

    kay
    Thats pretty accurate. I'm the youngest at 20. Aside from a big part of our family who happened to have good fiscal sense, we also lost a couple grand in disability checks and pensions and I don't know what else.

    Originally Posted by Ken Durham View Post

    PS: you said; "We're really all we have. No extended family or anything to turn to for help or anything."

    Pal, in this world, "you" are really the only one that "you" have. Each one of us is alone. Sometimes, we must live our own lives, for ourselves, even though others decide to drown.

    The best of luck to you
    I know it well, man. One of the truest facts of life. I'm not sure what you're telling me here, though. My mom and aunt are kinda going through a depression, I think, and would live here in this awful neighborhood without significant others for the rest of their lives. I think that's what they plan on doing, actually. They're definitely not as happy as they could be, and to me, that [b]is[b] drowning. I won't let them do that.

    Originally Posted by PhoebeSmellyCat View Post

    You say it's your uncle's decision to cash in his insurance to pay off the utilities and some of the taxes.

    That's his money and his choice on how to spend it, not yours.
    Re-read the part of my post where I said exactly that. You're trying to tell me something I said myself.

    [quote=PhoebeSmellyCat;3142045]Why would you want your family to suffer through months of no water, gas or electricity just to so can go chase some pie in the sky theories?

    If you think all this forum has to offer in the form of advice is "pie in the sky theories" then I question why, beyond being here at all, you're here trying to lecture me when you won't even bother properly digesting my posts.
    Originally Posted by PhoebeSmellyCat View Post

    And what are you planning to do if your plan does not work and you're now out $9K? Now you would have no back up money, no gas, no water, no electricity and possibly no home.
    I won't adopt a plan that eats up all $9,000 and produces no results. I could make more with less, apparently, so something that costs that much money to get going and doesn't make me at least $2,000 back (to pay the utilities) should be pretty to spot.

    That would be a very bad plan. I am going to steer clear of those.

    Originally Posted by PhoebeSmellyCat View Post


    (On a side note, I think this guy is just jerking us around...)
    No.
    Originally Posted by Sylvia Rolfe View Post

    Marc,
    Here's some advice for you.

    Get your uncle to spend 8k or so on the bills. Use the remaining one for food and neccessities.

    Borrow $40 from your uncle and put up a WSO offering your writing services. Your intial post and responses are pretty good writing wise. You just need to offer your services.

    Or even go with $100. Post your services in the Warriors for Hire section, and use $40 to create a services WSO. I'll explain the other $40 in a moment.

    If you need help creating your WSO, PM and I'll walk you through it. It won't get you rich, and it takes work, but you could at least add a couple hundred dollars to the income of the house, and with the 8k paid on overdue bills, it can at least get you moving in the right direction.

    There's two directions you could take the WSO. Write some PLR content and offer it in packages, or go the unique content route and pick up some bigger clients. If you go the PLR route, you can set it up with e-Junkie to deliver it, or WSO Pro so that it's all automated while you work on other writing projects.

    And keep your head up. It can be hard to be the young one trying to give the "adults" advice. If you work hard, you can create your own income stream, without having to get out in the real world (I'm not sure if you are one of the ones working or not) and do it.

    Best wishes,
    Sylvia
    I might take you up on that, actually. It's a generous offer and it's immensely appreciated. Thanks a bunch.
    Originally Posted by indihow View Post

    Well clearly you don't heed sound advice, don't care about diplomacy and don't respect people who have earned thousands of dollars or more via IM for years now while you have "been reading about it for 2 months".
    The fact that someone knows more about internet marketing than I do and has been making money doing it for longer than I have (or haven't, for that matter) doesn't command any respect at all. I do heed sound advice when I see it. Its come from a minoity of people in this thread. I am pointedly thanking them for it in this post. If I didn't thank you, you didn't provice sound advice.

    [quote=indihow;3142392]So, I'll be straightforward.[quote]
    Well, you tried.


    Originally Posted by indihow View Post

    Does that sound like Perspective and Plan to anyone?

    ......
    ......
    ..thats why this thread is here. This thread is here because I do not have a plan. I am looking for help coming up with a plan. If I had a plan, you wouldn't have a venue to parade your idiocy around because this thread would not be here.

    Originally Posted by indihow View Post

    That apart,

    "We're still gonna be in the hole for about $3k"

    Does it not mean you will still have a "debt" of $3k?

    Then how do you not have creditors?
    There is no line of credit, there is no lending of money, there is no creditor.

    Originally Posted by WD Mino View Post

    Listen:

    YOU are in debt.
    Your utilities are OFF.
    Your title says family gong down the pooper utilities off 9k to invest???

    I think there is something that is seriously wrong with this post. As a family you need to band together to fight the problem. but let me tell you.

    It takes hard work hours and hours of time,testing,trial and error,writing and rewriting.finding what is the sweet spot and what doesn't fly. For you to take the money you desperately need and put it anywhere except into the needs of your family is downright ludicrous

    So. Do you need a product to sell? OK Fine I am willing to give you something to help.
    However. it is up to you to utilize the products and sell them WITHOUT dipping into your funds at all. Running a wso doesn't even guarantee you will make 1 sale. You need a lot of things on this forum to succeed one of them is a reputation. You need to be wise in your thinking not foolish. that said pm me and I will give you a download link to help you out.
    I hope you use wisdom and help your family without taking what you desperately need to function and blowing it on some crap product that may or may not work.
    -Will
    Well that's what I've yet to find out. Maybe I can get some who does have a good reputation and has found the sweet spot and pay them some money and see a positive return.

    Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on it.

    Originally Posted by Coby View Post

    Okay, all the risks aside and all the lecture and what you should and shouldn't do with the money blah blah blah . . . . I'll just skip all of that and I'll give you something that MIGHT work and would be FAST!

    1. Pick a niche (this would probably work best in the IM niche)
    2. Create a really nice report (or have it outsourced)
    3. Pick a domain that matches the niche and the free report (purchase it of course)
    4. Get hostgator hosting, you can find coupons that will allow you to purchase first month for a penny, (I think it is HGC4APENNY or something, I don't know you can search for google) also you can sign your mom or uncle up as an affiliate of hostgator and use their link to sign up and thats another $50 you can put back in the business
    5. Get an Autoresponder
    6. Create a series of messages in AR, include a 'promo' email after ever 5th or so message that links to an affiliate product (using your link of course).
    7. Create a squeeze page on your new domain to give away the free report
    8. Create a One Time Offer (OTO) that the subscriber will see after they opt-in. This can be using an affiliate link or you can create a product that will compliment the free report.
    9. Use $2000 and purchase solo ads. This should allow you to purchase 10 solo ads that guarantee 1000 clicks each. This should bring you 300-600 subscribers PER solo ad. So this could net 3,000 - 6,000 subscribers.
    10. Use this new list and treat it like gold, because this is your new business. If you build the relationship you will easily recoup your investment in affiliate commissions.
    11. You will also now be able to sell solo ads to your new list you can charge 30-100 bucks depending on how many clicks you can guarantee (and how big you list ends up being). You can also ad swap with other marketers to continue building your list.

    This is what you asked for. A way to quickly earn money online. If you wanted to get a bigger list you can invest more than $2000 in solo ads. But doing it how I listed above will only run you about $2500 and that would include outsourcing a report and OTO product.

    Good Luck
    This is exactly what i asked for. Thanks a bunch. I'm weighing all my options and trying to figure out where I need to allot all my time and resources. I might give this a shot.
    Originally Posted by dake View Post

    Go for a job, freelance or regular whatever you can accomdate yourself with. Don't go for quick earning look out. Don't spend your 9k savings. Earn from job, make savings from your job as well. This way you will ave both the 9k savings as well as savings from your job.

    You have mentioned that you have done quite a lot of research on internet marketing, I am sure you can land a job as SEO trainee. Market your services as SEO forum poster or trainee on craigslist. Be honest with your skills and you will have a job, adapting you to SEO skills, helping you in the long run in initiating internet marketing for yourself in the future.

    Best of luck!
    Good stuff. I'm gonna look into this. Thanks

    Originally Posted by Istvan Horvath View Post

    Then give them a REAL PLAN how to budget the income they have. (as it already was suggested) - That's what your family, including you, needs: a realistic, disciplined plan.

    What did the late Grandma do differently that the family survived?
    If all those people live under one roof there should be only ONE that manages the cash flow. Not everybody. Just one - the brightest!
    Cut back any "luxury" expenses: cigarettes, booze, water with sugar (aka pop) and stuff like that.
    Don't order food and don't get takeout: those sitting at home should cook - it's cheaper and healthier

    Make note of every step you make to address your misery. Make it a report at the end.
    Buy the $7script for literally $7 and sell your report. Sell it for $15. Sell 10,000 copies. After expenses you would still have more than $10,000. Now THAT is money you can invest.

    P.S. Cashing a whole life insurance policy should be the very last resort. The payout is miserable... usually way less than you hope. Trust me, I used to sell insurance and I know nobody reads the small print in the policies.
    That's tjhe kinda stuff we definitely need to think about. I think we know what she did differently, we just don't do it. Some changes need to take place.

    Maybe I will make a WSO at some point! I don't know what value I have to offer right now as far as an info product goes, but we'll see as this whole thing unfolds.

    Just out of curiosity.. do you know Sean Horvath? We've been internet buddies for around 4 years and if you were related to him that'd be the weirdest thing.


    I'll keep replying tomorrow. I gotta head to bed. Thanks guys.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

      I said what I wanted you guys to know to wrap your head around my situation. Those are the given variables. Some of you are extrapolating on, and even ignoring them. Believe it or not, that is not helpful. I'm asking a forum full of people who make money for advice on something they're good at. What I'm not asking for is a lecture, but I got one from a bunch of you. Rest assured, your misplaced high-horsery has gone completely ignored.
      And rest assured, your plight is going completely ignored because of the simple fact that what you really want is simple, fast answers to the complex question of building an online business and you completely disregard anyone who is telling you something you don't want to hear.

      When you start a thread on this forum, you do not get to tell people whether they can post or not. You get the answers we give you whether you like them or not.

      You don't need 9K of someone else's money to accomplish that. You need to roll your sleeves up and get to work.

      Read the forum
      Choose a method
      Implement the method
      If you fail, start over

      Total cost: Maybe $50 bucks for a WSO, $10 for a domain and $15/mnth for hosting.

      You want to know what specific people do to make a full time living? Ok. I've been designing websites for people for over 11 years. I also create my own info products. I sell websites and domains and info products on topics that I am qualified to speak on.

      There you have it. My blueprint. Free of charge.

      What you're missing is that everyone's blueprint is different. Successful people create their own blueprint, based on a lot of testing and trial and error.

      Again ... if you have a skill, get to work and offer it for money. Quickest way to scare up some cash. If spending 9K of someone else's money is your only solution to making money online, you are nowhere near close to building an online business. Spending money needed for food, clothing and shelter is not a business plan. It's foolhardy.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    As an obviously very young person, there are some hard lessons embedded into this situation that you're probably not going to hear.

    It's very admirable that you want to try to figure out how to solve a problem that's much larger than yourself - namely, how to create income to take care of numerous people who cannot/will not take care of themselves.

    But the one hard lesson that has to be learned from this is - no matter how much you might love someone, you cannot allow them to drag you under.

    I don't think $9,000 or a sustainable income will solve the real problem that I am hearing. The consumption will likely outstrip the income, regardless of the income level.

    There are so many stories of families who are desperately broke just a couple of years after winning millions of dollars in the lottery.

    Do you seriously believe that presenting any kind of a plan to people who aren't even capable of taking care of themselves is going to result in some sort of good decision?

    I'd be figuring out how to pull the ejection seat lever and extricate myself from this quagmire before I did anything else.
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    • Profile picture of the author marc.v
      Originally Posted by WD Mino View Post

      Marc,
      I wish you well but I withdraw the offer to help you.

      Your response has just ensured I would never do business in any way with you.
      Incidentally how are you even posting if you have no utilities on?
      Come to think of it your portrayal here is your in a destitute situation but yet you have a computer -which if I was in a position like that would be the first thing to go.

      I am sorry young man I really tried to be of help and many others took time and offer some wisdom but I am not here to be beck and called you are going to try and do this you don't fool me and you will see that you should have listened but...I wish you well and for the sake of your family I hope to God things turn around for you.
      -Will
      That's okay, I was just being polite and wasn't really going to take you up on your offer. I could barely get through your poorly-written wall of text - I can't imagine trying to learn content creation from you.

      Also, in case you can't tell from this thread, it takes a lot more than money to make money. The $200 I could get for this computer would not put me on the fast track to financial stability, and $200 towards $13000 worth of debt wouldn't do much either.

      Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

      As an obviously very young person, there are some hard lessons embedded into this situation that you're probably not going to hear.

      It's very admirable that you want to try to figure out how to solve a problem that's much larger than yourself - namely, how to create income to take care of numerous people who cannot/will not take care of themselves.

      But the one hard lesson that has to be learned from this is - no matter how much you might love someone, you cannot allow them to drag you under.

      I don't think $9,000 or a sustainable income will solve the real problem that I am hearing. The consumption will likely outstrip the income, regardless of the income level.

      There are so many stories of families who are desperately broke just a couple of years after winning millions of dollars in the lottery.

      Do you seriously believe that presenting any kind of a plan to people who aren't even capable of taking care of themselves is going to result in some sort of good decision?

      I'd be figuring out how to pull the ejection seat lever and extricate myself from this quagmire before I did anything else.
      Hahaha, awwww. That is heartbreaking. Sorry man, we're gonna have to agree to disagree on this one. If this is a siinking ship situation, I'll glady swim underneath it knowing full well trying to supoort the weight of my family and the ship is an exercise in futility.
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      • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
        Originally Posted by marc.v View Post



        Hahaha, awwww. That is heartbreaking. Sorry man, we're gonna have to agree to disagree on this one. If this is a shinking ship situation, I'll glady swim underneath it knowing full well trying to supoort the weight of my family and the ship is an exercise in futility.

        Yes, it is heartbreaking. But it's not a choice that you have to make.

        You can love someone and still not be responsible for them. It appears that you're mortgaging your own future by shackling yourself to the failures and poor choices of someone else's past. But you've made it clear that you'd rather go down in the sinking ship.

        Developing a successful business mindset is far more important than investment capital, a business plan, or even a hot product. Maybe going down with the ship is what has to happen in order for you to truly align your though patterns to successful business thinking. I know it took me a couple trips into Neptune's locker before I figured it out.

        Your mindset is easy to identify because you've decided to place numerous constraints in all of your posts in this topic. I won't do this. I won't do this. I won't do this. I'm not going to do this. I refuse to do this.

        Mindset is the foundation to everything else.

        Good luck, I fear that you're going to need a whole lot of it.
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        • Profile picture of the author marc.v
          Originally Posted by MichaelHiles View Post

          Yes, it is heartbreaking. But it's not a choice that you have to make.

          You can love someone and still not be responsible for them. It appears that you're mortgaging your own future by shackling yourself to the failures and poor choices of someone else's past. But you've made it clear that you'd rather go down in the sinking ship.

          Developing a successful business mindset is far more important than investment capital, a business plan, or even a hot product. Maybe going down with the ship is what has to happen in order for you to truly align your though patterns to successful business thinking. I know it took me a couple trips into Neptune's locker before I figured it out.

          Your mindset is easy to identify because you've decided to place numerous constraints in all of your posts in this topic. I won't do this. I won't do this. I won't do this. I'm not going to do this. I refuse to do this.

          Mindset is the foundation to everything else.

          Good luck, I fear that you're going to need a whole lot of it.
          Did I? People said to offer services. I'm taking 30 seconds away from doing that to type this.

          The last thing I want is for people who've actually contributed to think their advice is going unappreciated. That is not the case.

          But anyway, thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author russells
    Don't spend any of that 9K on IM. You will lose it all, or get very little returns unless you know what you're doing.

    I recommend providing services. Yes, you're trading time for money but who cares - you've got an income.

    When you've got 'extra' money from this you can then invest that 'extra' money into IM.

    Use the 9K to pay your bills.

    You will only regret it.

    ~Russ
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Thank you for the response Marc,

    I wish you well
    -Will
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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  • Profile picture of the author rainman
    Originally Posted by marc.v View Post


    So, if you were completely up against the wall and had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family, what would you do? I'm open to everything. Offline stuff, CPA, whatever. The quicker the better.. it'd be nice to get all our stuff turned back on. Sustainability is a priority too, though.
    Sorry to hear about your struggles...

    We have 9 at my house and we are not strangers to difficulties. My wife and my three boys have Alport Syndrome (kidney disease)... which is untreatable.

    Meds are $3500/month, dialysis and transplants a wee bit more, so my wife works seasonal at the IRS for the medical benefits... (My oldest already got a transplant for a $10 co-pay) Beats $100 grand )

    Now I'm not a marketing genius, but I do promote an affiliate program that costs ZERO to join, plus you get a training page for Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Article Marketing, Blogs and Forums & Outsourcing etc.

    You can earn $1000, $1200, $1650 Or $2200 per transaction.

    The benefit to you is: You get paid with ZERO investment.

    The benefit to me: I get paid the exact amount... $1000, $1200, $1650 Or $2200

    While I cannot promise you success... I can promise that the training and the income potential is real.

    Rainman

    Oh, to answer your question... take the $9,000 and use it to outsource ALL of your marketing... articles/videos/press releases/link building, etc...

    Don't try to do it all yourself, it takes forever.

    The key is driving truckloads of traffic and getting your offer in front of millions of eyeballs.

    Also, you are welcome to the training page even if you promote something else...
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  • Profile picture of the author alphaxyz
    i've been reading this thread and i missed the one most important thing:

    how much money do you actually need?

    also... any of the advice throughout this thread (regarding IM) can make you anywhere from $50-$1,000 but it also depend on the level of skill you have. you can possibly make more but it will be a gradual process. some warriors make $1,000 at the end of month 12 and then doubled at the end of month 13. you get the idea. the rule is clear; you can't get that much in a very short time without the proper skill set no matter which path you choose.

    that being said, if i were you, i'd build website to market other people's product and concentrate on that niche until that website bring me $x,xxx. the reason is simple: the cost is low (to buy domain, host) and you already have an established product/brand/market presenece. rinse and repeat.

    hope that helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author petevamp
    Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

    So, if you were completely up against the wall and had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family, what would you do? I'm open to everything. Offline stuff, CPA, whatever. The quicker the better.. it'd be nice to get all our stuff turned back on. Sustainability is a priority too, though.
    The first thing it sounds to me is take action instead of learning. When working online it really helps to have already taken action. For you are not going to learn everything over night. I have personally be doing this for 2 years and I still have alot to learn. However I do know alot and can do just about everything.

    One of the best things I can offer you is some free training. Simply go to Secrets To The Affiliate Marketing Online World Revealed - Massive Marketers and take advantage of the free training. Not only will you recieve free training but you will be off to a start on making money afte ryou sign up. II wish you the best of luck. If you ever have any questions please feel free to shoot me a message. I will be more then happy to help you in any way I can.
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  • Profile picture of the author kentaiwan98
    My 2c.

    You have a pc, and a friendly neighbor. Use them to learn, read and study. When you know enough, you will realize that 99% IM schemes are only helping the people selling the schemes to GRQ. Not you. That is the sad reality: they are selling dreams, not actionable plans. Which is what you really need.

    So find a way to make some income in the short term (packing groceries if necessary). Then learn to do one single aspect of IM REALLY REALLY well, and figure out ways to monetize that to the nth degree. If it means you get good at setting up Wordpress blogs, then do that. Whatever. Find ways to get started. Even if it's for peanuts at the beginning. Why? Because you need to build out your skill set, develop your knowledge, and build your customer reputation. Once you see how things really work, you will find other opportunities that take you further down the road you want to go.

    There are no ways you can turn that $9K into any meaningful income in IM without doing the above steps, regardless of what anyone says, promises or writes. You may not like what I wrote here, it may not be what you want to hear, ... but I hope it is useful to you or others.

    Kenneth
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  • Profile picture of the author mrrichsin
    Firstly,

    Great responses all around.

    As a businessman, I have been broke many times when I was younger trying different ideas. When it doesn't work, I go back to work, make some money, and go again.

    Your situation is rough, but dont despair, you have the right mindset. You want to create an income and you want to help your family. Excellent and Commendable.

    So here is what I would do.

    Firstly, you dont have to cash out all of your bills at one time and be left with nothing. So call the utilities and all other debtors, work out a deal. They will work something out.

    Secondly, reach out to some state assistance programs, they have programs that can give you vouchers, even help pay your utility bills. This is important.

    Third, invest in what you are most confident in, and to me, that is YOURSELF. What that means is if you want to be self employed, which is very rewarding but not easy in the beginning, invest into doing a business that is needed everyday.

    Some other members mentioned carpet cleaning and such. Believe me, if you are ready and willing there are companies that will pay you even $60+ a day to work with them and they train you. Open up the phone book or go on google and start calling. This is easy work, no HR and delays in hiring. Service companies are always doing work. Once you get the hang of it, know how the business works. Open up your own.

    Carpet cleaning is very cheap to get into. Post flyers and contact other carpet cleaning companies in the area and see if they have any jobs for you to do. Some companies use independent contractors and just dispatch them the less favorable jobs. It is what it is, but its a way in, and green is green!

    You do not have to HOPE for a successful business when you are investing in yourself. Internet marketing is great, but in times like these, this is what separates the men from the boys, by making solid decisions about real life problems.

    You work hard, You will make money. End of Story.

    You'll be ok, you sound like you have your head on. Remember, No Hail Mary's.
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  • Profile picture of the author BlondieWrites
    Pay your bills. If the gas and power are off, and there's 10K owed in back taxes on the house, then you don't have 9K to invest in online ventures. You have 9K to pay your bills.

    I would suggest (highly) that you get a job, along with whoever else in the house is able to work. Get caught up on bills, get your taxes caught up, save up some money, and THEN worry about working via the internet.



    Cindy
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  • Profile picture of the author TomVa
    Un feaking real!
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  • Profile picture of the author txconx
    "Investing" $9K in a business you have no experience in yet is like going to the casino with the money.

    I'd pay the bills with the money. I've been self employed for over 20 years and I've done work for self-employed people. My observation is that it's very difficult to concentrate on maintaining your business when you're experiencing personal problems. I've seen dozens of people lose their business because of personal problems, usually health and marriage, which then turns into a spiral of financial problems and a subsequent worsening of ALL their problems. Almost all of them ended up giving up their self employment and going to work for someone else in exchange for a steady paycheck.

    If you're dead set on using the money for IM, I suggest you find a partner who knows what they're doing and work out some kind of a deal with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
    A lifestyle change seems to me the best solution. I can only speak from experience.

    Option 1. Consider joining the military:
    1. Money wise. You may receive a signup $ bonus. The bonus money may be enough to get your family out of immediate debt.
    2. Send part of your pay to your family every month. Repay your Uncle.
    3. Go the JAG and explain the situation and ask them to help you with the legal issue of the taxes. They will point you in the right direction.
    4. Formal education. You will receive a formal education if you apply yourself.

    Option 2. Relocate the family to a farm.
    1. When I was younger than you are now and for similar reasons I moved my family with a few of our friends to a farm! We pooled what little money we had and leased a little farm in my name.
    2. We immediately had roof over our head, food and water, little money, but an honest living that sustained us until times were better.


    Once I knew the family could stand on their own feet I joined the service. Put the lawyers, legal assistance, and more to work for me. It worked out for the best.

    After three years I owned the farm, had a formal education and trade.

    Jeffery 100% :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author Seant7871
      Marc,

      It has been a few days now since your original post and I just wanted to add my two cents. I agree with so many other members here that you need to spend your money wisely. As far as the suggestion to join the military, I can tell you that it can help you out. I spent 30 years in the military and it was the best years of my life.

      I also agree with the gentlemen that made the statement about newbies getting distracted. I have been trying to run my IM business every since I retired from the military, and I will tell you that I have jumped on so many plans and programs. You really got to know what you want to do and have a plan. When I started in the IM world, I did not use the skills that helped me in the military. Instead, I was going in one hundred different directions with no goals, vision, or foresight. Before you spend the only money you have available, you need to get a plan and set some goals.

      I also agree that you can take advantage of all the free stuff that is available on the internet on ways to make money online. I did not start making money on a consistant basis until I developed a plan and set some goals.

      I hope that you choice wisely and the decisions you make works out for you and your family.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cash37
    1. Buy 5 other computers. Nothing too fancy. Get them used for like $250 each. That's like $1250 plus tax.

    2. Then buy a WSO in the "For Hire Section" and offer article writing/VA/blog posting linkbuilding services. 4 WSOs is like $80 to post. Thats like $1350 invested so far.

    3. Now get EVERYONE in your family working. They all have their own PC by now. No excuses why you can't do this if things are that bad.

    4. Use the rest of your money left over to pay for bills and food. Pay the minimum on your debt until the money from your business comes in and you can afford to start paying more towards the principal and get out of debt faster.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by Cash37 View Post

      1. Buy 5 other computers. Nothing too fancy. Get them used for like $250 each. That's like $1250 plus tax.

      2. Then buy a WSO in the "For Hire Section" and offer article writing/VA/blog posting linkbuilding services. 4 WSOs is like $80 to post. Thats like $1350 invested so far.

      3. Now get EVERYONE in your family working. They all have their own PC by now. No excuses why you can't do this if things are that bad.

      4. Use the rest of your money left over to pay for bills and food. Pay the minimum on your debt until the money from your business comes in and you can afford to start paying more towards the principal and get out of debt faster.
      That plan could work, but you're operating under the very big assumption that his family members are able and willing to work many hours per day writing articles.

      In addition to this, he doesn't even have utilities and power at the moment. He's using an extension cord from his neighbors for one computer and the refrigerator - I doubt that they'd take too kindly to all this extra usage of their electricity!
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  • Profile picture of the author gvannorman
    This post has brought in a lot of responses. Which can be a good thing, at the same time its a bad thing. I have read the majority of these responses and they all seem to be saying the same thing. DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY ON GETTING STARTED!

    Use the 9K that you have and pay your bills. Keep your electricity and water on, this is a must. You need both of those even in order to get started with IM.

    Then go over to Google Adsense and sign up. After you do that sign up for Amazon Affiliates. Now, the fun part begins. If you are unable to work, then you have lots of time. Start typing articles and building pages. Build Squidoo Lenses and Hubpages. Submit articles to Infobarrel and sites like these. Work 10 to 16 hours daily.

    Just do not spend your money on stupid things. Budget and stick to it. Start telling your money where to go, instead of having it tell you what you can do. Head on over to Amy Bass's Blog and read it. She has recently been a great source of motivation for me.
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    • Profile picture of the author SarahMcHarry
      Marc,

      You are young and you are motivated and you are poor. DO NOT blow that $9,000 on some Get Rich Quick scheme - it will be gambling your money away. Most of us here have learned the hard way that there is no easy path to earning money online.

      If this is the course you have set yourself you MUST learn some basic skills. You say you know how to set up a WP blog. That is an excellent start but there is a lot more you need to know. Find out all you can about the basics:
      • HTML
      • SEO
      • PPC
      • eCommerce
      • Autoresponders
      • Affiliate Marketing
      • CPA
      • Clickbank
      • etc
      If you don't know what any of these mean, then find out - FOR FREE. There are many threads in this forum where you can learn. Only invest money when you have to and then only in small chunks.

      I have advised others in your situation and I tell them to look around the house and see what they can sell on eBay. See what you can sell and invest the proceeds in your venture.

      Good luck.

      Sarah
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim_Carter
    Mark.

    Okay let me say this.

    1. Investing 9k in the internet business will do you NO GOOD in the beginning. You will piss it away needlessly. (in the beginning. It can help you later)

    2. All you need is a domain name and hosting to get started.

    3. You can learn everything you need to know here on the forum. That is how I got started.

    4. You can get all the tools you need free.

    5. Internet business takes time. This is not a quick fix. If you need something quick see others advise about jobs or services.

    6. To re-iterate - I have been making a very good income online since 2005. It is my sole source of income. My total monthly expenses to run my business is about$79.00 per month.

    So my advise - use the 9k on the bills and living expenses.

    Just my 2 cents. I would hate to see you spend the $9k needlessly when you need it so much.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulie888
      Originally Posted by Tim_Carter View Post

      Mark.

      Okay let me say this.

      1. Investing 9k in the internet business will do you NO GOOD in the beginning. You will piss it away needlessly. (in the beginning. It can help you later)

      2. All you need is a domain name and hosting to get started.

      3. You can learn everything you need to know here on the forum. That is how I got started.

      4. You can get all the tools you need free.

      5. Internet business takes time. This is not a quick fix. If you need something quick see others advise about jobs or services.

      6. To re-iterate - I have been making a very good income online since 2005. It is my sole source of income. My total monthly expenses to run my business is about$79.00 per month.

      So my advise - use the 9k on the bills and living expenses.

      Just my 2 cents. I would hate to see you spend the $9k needlessly when you need it so much.
      The great thing about internet marketing is that it is most likely the last commerce/trade frontier that allows you to get started for such a low cost that it boggles the mind.

      You could never even dream of starting a typical offline business with anything less than a few thousand dollars.

      Internet marketing can be started literallyfor free, or less than $20 per month if you need hosting and domain(s). Leverage this fact to your advantage, and go forth and start building (in addition to offering services on the internet).
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      • Profile picture of the author WealthWithin
        If you're going to offer services that's great!. But keep in mind it's still a job where you get paid for the hours you WORK.

        Here's a challenge.

        1. Spend $40 to create WSOs and offer services.
        2. If by end of 14 days you haven't made $500 in return, seriously go and get a job.


        Heard about a guy called Mike Filsaime?
        He used to work about 15-17 hours before he made a stable income online. And that's the true story of most successful IMers. They worked their a$$ off. If you don't like to concept of 'working', then do your family a favor and don't touch that $9000.
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  • Profile picture of the author sarahberra
    Yikes! I'm sorry about your situation. Everyone on this thread is giving some really great advice. Just take your time and don't invest all of it at once.
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  • Profile picture of the author InternetWriter
    Too be honest OP,
    you don't deserve to learn any of this crap. You're not being respectful towards the gracious members of WarriorForum.

    I was in the same situation as you were in. I'm 16 and we had pennies in our pockets.

    You need action and determination to succeed. I've gone from absolutely nothing to nearly $300,000 in 10 months.
    First thing you need to do is stop procrastinating, you CAN get a job. You're choosing not to!

    Don't tell me that taking care of a family of 6 is too much to handle, you CAN do it. You need to stop procrastinating and just do something.

    There are no excuses for not doing everything in your power.

    & don't diss any of the members here, they've been nothing but helpful to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Wells
    One of the first things that you have to do is to get everyone involved likeminded. Those in charge of the finances have to be on board. If not, pretty much anything you do will eventually fail.

    Abundance is not necessarily dependant on income, but on how much you spend.

    If those in your household are breaking basic financial principles, such as wasting money on wants instead of needs, then that has to be corrected.

    A six person household with 4 people bringing in SSI and 2 people working, should be able to easily maintain a home and pay the bills.

    I am not in your shoes nor do I know your total income, and outgo, but I can assure you that where there is a WILL there is a way. The problem is that many people are not willing to take the right road, or make the hard decisions, or let go of the vices that are causing the problems.

    One of the first things I would do is get everyone honest, and write down all the bills, and then decide out of all the bills, what actually HAS to be paid. Then once that is done, decide out of all those bills what can actually be put off without losing your home, or car or something that is needed to get you to work or help you stay working.

    Then I would get everyone together and make sure all were likeminded and on the same page about the situation. Honesty is key here, and likemindedness. In a situation as dire as what yours sound like, people should be willing to do WHATEVER it takes.

    All vices should be temporarily put on the backburner, no ciggs, no beer, no junk food, no fast food, no nothing that is a want, just handle the needs. Spend your money very wisely, buy food that goes a long way and that is cheap, such as rice, potatoes, ect....

    You may be suprised at how much money gets spent on wants vs. needs, which adds up to hundreds of dollars a month.

    A budget has to be set and stuck to 100%. No movies, no anything that is wasteful, and a waste of money.

    If these small things get taken care of you'll see that there is more money than meets the eye.

    If you have 9,000 to spend and you are in danger of losing your house, you need to, or someone in charge needs to go and talk in person to whomever it is that you need to about the back taxes. Its possible that something can be worked out, a payment plan etc. But if you avoid them, things will get worse and sometimes quickly, not saying that you are, but thats what lots of people like to do, ignore the problem.

    I have got to be honest with you. If I knew what was really going on in your household, the money situations and the attitudes of those involved it would be alot easier to say do this or do that. But because I like all the others here are just going by what you have posted, we really do not have all the facts. But I can assure you as you already know, some major principles have been and are being broken in the financial arena.

    There are a multiplicity of problems that people have in life, but in all reality when you get right down to it, solutions are very simple. You just have to get to the root of the problem, and that takes lots of honesty. Then you have to make decisions that more times than not, are self sacrificing, and not fun to make.

    When you know what is the best decision and the right decision, you have to take it no matter what, because if you do not, you could set yourself back even longer.

    I cant really go on much more with suggestions, mainly because I do not know the whole story, and I do not think that the whole story is being told. Which is probably best, since this is a public forum and your family issues need to stay private.

    If your seeking help from someone one on one, then you would probably have to share what needs to be known in order to give enough info so that someone can give better advice. But like I said before, if all those involved are not likeminded, its just a futile situation.

    Somethings to think about:

    You can't help people who do not think they have a problem, or who do not want help. You cannot help people who are not willing to change. You cannot help people who are dishonest about the situations, or with themselves.

    None of the above is intended to accuse you, or anyone else of wrong doing, but merely to help, and to give some solid reliable principles to help you evaluate the situation at hand.
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  • Profile picture of the author madsem
    Marc, my name is also Marc btw lol... even with the C!

    Man, are you insane? You should not spend the $9k on something you are learning but haven't mastered in any way yet. Believe me, I'm coming from a family which was heavily in debt and also we had our utilities cut off several times when I was younger etc.

    Was a f*** hard time, believe me I know how that feels and that you want to do something. But you should do this with your money:

    1. Pay utilities
    2. Get a job on the side something that pays at least a few hundred dollars per month, so you can afford to pay internet etc by yourself
    3. The second family member should also get a job, together you could at least BARELY pay your running expenses.
    4. When you're home you sit down and work your little butt off trying to learn this internet marketing thing

    It will take you quite some time to be at a stage where you can earn a full-time income, everybody who tells you different has either no clue or wants to sell you something, refer you via an affiliate link or whatever

    Once you are at a stage that you are able to earn a few grand per month with internet marketing you can slowly start making plans to quit your job...slowly

    That's the best I can offer, of course there is a MINIMAL chance that you take the $9k, and immediately make huge returns maybe because PPC for example is just your thing... But believe me the chances are very slim and you should go down the safe road!

    Man and if you work in a call-center, or the gas station around the corner... little money is better than none...
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Take $1,000 and hire two people to sit on your phones for 2 weeks at 5 hours per day each.

    Sell websites to local businesses...

    You will make another 9k for only spending 1k.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      Take $1,000 and hire two people to sit on your phones for 2 weeks at 5 hours per day each.

      Sell websites to local businesses...

      You will make another 9k for only spending 1k.
      John, you seem to not realize that you have experience doing this.

      This guy needs a full blown out plan. It's not easy finding phone reps who know what they are doing. And if they can't answer something then this guy might have to do the answering. And if they are being paid to be on the phone, who is going to whip up these websites? And what is the situation in his area? Do we even know if his immediate area is looking for websites to be created? Do we know if there is competition? What does this guy really know about marketing in general? Is he truly going to be able to help people?

      Are you handing out the scripts needed for the phone conversations, and the step by step what is covered in the packages, how to get the clients, etc? Cause if you are I'll get my own rear on the phone for 10 hours a day and try your master plan. lol

      How long will it take me to get this 9k?
      Signature

      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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      • Profile picture of the author John Durham
        Originally Posted by avenuegirl View Post


        How long will it take me to get this 9k?
        I dont know...some people on my forum have done it in two weeks...some a month...some it takes a consistent week on the phone just to get their first sale...

        I guess the advice given is what I personally would do. Honestly, there's no reason why he cant be in business for FREE even if he wants, or start with 100 bucks.

        Perhaps I misread something didnt the op say they had 9k to work with?

        I had my back against the wall once, all this bills due, stuff caving in on me... I went out and flipped a few small business websites myself... and it saved my ass, and if you read around the same strategy has saved MANY a warriors ass within 72 hours, I made $1,700. , and I didnt even have a company website to show, just a pad a paper a pen and a phone book.

        You do what you have to when your back is against the wall.

        So I stand by my advice.

        People can talk all the theory in the world of "Maybe you could do this... or maybe you could do that...".

        I'm telling the OP what they absolutely CAN do, so I feel great about that answer.

        It doesnt have to take rocket science to pitch a website to a small biz owner, and it also doesnt take 20 minutes to find a reputable warrior who can build the site for you.

        Heck, if you cant even pitch, you can just find someone interested and get the webdesigner to pitch them and get a cut of the profit for bringing him the customer.

        There ARE things you can do if you are desperate... and Im not so far gone that I have forgotten what it was to feel that desperation.... and Im telling you what I personally did to save my family.

        This is solid advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mohammad Afaq
    Beyond that, I didn't ask for generalized advice. I didn't ask "Hey guys, SHOULD I try to make something happen with this money?". I asked "WHAT can I make happen with this money, if anything? What would you do to make some money in my spot if you had a few bucks to start with?" If you can't directly address what was written, do not post. If someone is asking you what you would do with amount of money and all you can think to say is "pay your bills, get a job", do not post. Realize that not everyone is a moron and that I wouldn't have even made this thread if I didn't understand the risks involved in spending my (family's) last dollar on either a) basic neccessities or b) an opportunity.
    You know what, go to hell.

    You need to figure out your goddamn situation and you need to realize that you are too fricking lazy to go out and GET A JOB and you won't make a squat online.

    People are trying to help you on your fake looking story not because they like to get trashed.

    Hey, I got better things to do.

    My advice? Don't be a goddamn inspector for your whole family. You're only gonna worsen all of their situation.

    Now if the story is "real" then get your lazy ass out of the house and get a fricking job.

    Internet Marketing is a business and you don't start out new business ventures when you are sitting in dark.

    Oh and btw, I wonder how you are posting this on Warrior Forum if you have no electricity?
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    “The first draft of anything is shit.” ~Ernest Hemingway

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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by Mohammad Afaq View Post


      Oh and btw, I wonder how you are posting this on Warrior Forum if you have no electricity?
      I believe he mentioned they were sucking electricity from the neighbors house so they could keep the fridge on.
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      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"

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      • Profile picture of the author Mohammad Afaq
        Originally Posted by avenuegirl View Post

        I believe he mentioned they were sucking electricity from the neighbors house so they could keep the fridge on.
        I don't know Jill, this whole story doesn't look real to me.

        "My family will be sitting in dark for the next 6 months but i still want to take the money for the utilities and spend it on my business"

        But I will give him the benefit of doubt and if the story is real I think he needs to step out of the dream here and experience the reality here a little bit. Can he make money online if he really tries?

        Maybe.

        But why try something new when you can use a 100% proven formula called GET A JOB?
        Signature

        “The first draft of anything is shit.” ~Ernest Hemingway

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        • Profile picture of the author dustydesign
          Use the $9k to buy a sweet limo and start an escort service.
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          • Originally Posted by dustydesign View Post

            Use the $9k to buy a sweet limo and start an escort service.
            Or a bus. Believe it or not you can get a bus for cheap, fix it up and resell it for about $500 profit.
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            • Profile picture of the author dustydesign
              Originally Posted by Chris The Traffic Blogger View Post

              Or a bus. Believe it or not you can get a bus for cheap, fix it up and resell it for about $500 profit.
              Or turn it into a party bus and make a killing; check your local laws first, of course. The party bus in my town is always packed!
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              • Originally Posted by dustydesign View Post

                Or turn it into a party bus and make a killing; check your local laws first, of course. The party bus in my town is always packed!
                Good idea! Take people out drinking and drop em off at the end of the night

                EDIT: Dusty I love your sig
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  • Pick a niche.
    Start a blog on the niche.
    Write for a week and make articles that point to individual pages on your blog with each post.
    Write guest posts and interact with the community wherever they are (forums, blogs, etc).
    Market an affiliate product to the audience you develop over time.
    In your first month you could make as much as $1,000.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Million
    The easiest way I've found to make a lot quickly and continue to produce the same results (and by easiest I don't mean EASY - I mean the likeliest high ROI for your time, spending very little and not having much IM knowledge) is to study some big players in a niche who you can tell have a large list by # of comments on their blog, FB / Twitter response, # of products selling, etc. .... buy their best product or study some popular free post/report - find one or several areas where YOU have questions or want further information on... then interview them, ask them those questions, and have them promote the interview (and transcript) for a split commission. You keep the buyer leads, make a pretty much guaranteed huge chunk, and now have a buyers list to promote other products, repeat the same process, etc.

    This IS how I got started making big sums VERY quickly, especially when I emailed the results to other authorities in the niche and got them to promote for a commission.

    All you need is:

    - Skype to record the call (I have Pamela for Skype in addition which does the recording, but Skype might have this feature by now... I still use Pamela for Skype, though)

    - A good microphone like the Blue Yetti (awesome, $99 on Amazon.com)

    - A domain to host the sales page

    - A PayPal account to collect $$$ from sales (or do ClickBank, RAP, whatever to include affiliates once you get there.)

    - An autoresponder (Aweber is great, starts at $19.95/mo I believe)

    - An email account and phone number so you can contact these authorities, show that you understand their product/list, and make an offer to interview them and split the profits.

    Now while this takes WORK, it's is the easiest, fastest way to make big sums quickly and build momentum in any niche that I've personally come across. No SEO / PPC / etc. Just digital handshakes and a little research.

    Good luck, man. For an initial $100 - $200 plus $8/mo hosting and $19.95/mo autoresponder fees you can make a "sky is the limit" income pretty much instantly. Use the rest of your money to take care of your family and bills.

    If you're still feeling anxiety, then start in the IM niche - go to the WSO section which is chalked full of marketers who have big lists and sell lots of products - buy their WSO and PM them with the questions you want to ask on the interview and the arrangement... then just post the WSO once done.

    Trust me, marketers and product creators LOVE promoting themselves being interviewed - Use their ego to make EZ $$$... you'll also learn the ropes of product creation and product launching much quicker than an ebook or course b/c they'll gladly share their secrets with you in order to make the launch successful (they want to make the most $$$ on it, too.) That's how I learned... I remember my first one with Brian McElroy and just before the launch he said, "You're split testing, right... and what's the upsell?" ...

    "Oh, I said, what do you recommend?"

    Nothing beats being paid to be coached ... Joint Ventures and Expert Interviews are still to this day my largest source of income (and learning sources) - and if I shared the sales #s you probably wouldn't believe me.

    Cheers,

    Scott
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  • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
    The OP is not looking for a viable solution, of which several have been presented here. He just wanted to have a good cry. And there's nothing wrong with that. But don't waste people's time and THEN have the temerity to bitch.
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  • Profile picture of the author SamuelJ
    Originally Posted by marc.v View Post

    I'm gonna try to condense this as much as possible.

    My grandma died a year and a half ago, and my family is having a hell of a time adjusting. There's 6 of us here. Two are well enough to work. We simply don't make enough money to stay afloat.

    My mom woke me up yesterday by telling me the light gas and water was off. Bummer. Apparently we haven't been paying them since august. I also found out that we're behind on the house taxes to the tune of ~10k yesterday.

    I have no problem keeping cool. A lot of people get by with a lot, lot less. Unfortunately my family can't put things in perspective as well, and they all wind up arguing. A year of this has brewed some resentment, and it's sad to see. We're really all we have. No extended family or anything to turn to for help or anything.

    Anyway, my uncle decided that we could cash out his life insurance policy to pay off the utilities and some of the house taxes. We're still gonna be in the hole for about $3k, and we're still not gonna have any more money coming in.

    Before they receive and spend that money on bills, I'd like to present them with some kind of plan. I've been reading about internet marketing for the past couple months and have taken in a lot of information. I don't know if I'm suffering from information paralysis or am genuinely still learning. I haven't DONE anything to actually make money.

    So, if you were completely up against the wall and had $9,000 to invest for the sake of your family, what would you do? I'm open to everything. Offline stuff, CPA, whatever. The quicker the better.. it'd be nice to get all our stuff turned back on. Sustainability is a priority too, though.
    Go for local business > get a good mentor with the money > 6
    figure income in less than 4 months is easily done if you hang
    around the right people
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by SamuelJ View Post

      Go for local business > get a good mentor with the money > 6
      figure income in less than 4 months is easily done if you hang
      around the right people
      I'm not being rude but the OP would have benefited more from that advice 3 months ago when he created the thread and the last comment was added.

      John Durhams post above yours was done in January.

      Nice thought though.
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      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

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