40 replies
So I lost my drivers license, its going to cost about $1,100 to get it fixed.

Only one problem, I have about $6 to my name.

I was just offered a job working for $40k/yr, would have loved to have it!! - Have to have a valid drivers license.

A friend offered me a job working with him for a measily $8.65/hr - Would have loved to have it! - Must have a valid drivers license.

I have a computer repair business that I make maybe $500/m off of.

I need to make about $5,000 in the next few months to pay bills etc. I live in a small town of 5,000 people, there are two other computer repair companies that are much more known than me. People hate them though, and are glad to give me their business.

Any suggestions on how I can ramp up my business, or how to go about making some extra income online to meet my goal?

Thanks for reading...
#bit #rut
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert G Williams
    Hi,
    Why not use Craig’s list, it’s free to advertise, and you can get people to come to you for drop off and pickups, and maybe offer a 10% discount for their inconvenience
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    • Profile picture of the author SimTech
      Originally Posted by Robert G Williams View Post

      Hi,
      Why not use Craig's list, it's free to advertise, and you can get people to come to you for drop off and pickups, and maybe offer a 10% discount for their inconvenience
      I've been trying to use craigslist, someone keeps flagging and removing my post! =/
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      • Profile picture of the author Jacob Anthony
        Originally Posted by SimTech View Post

        I've been trying to use craigslist, someone keeps flagging and removing my post! =/
        Do they give a reason a to why the ad was removed?
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  • Profile picture of the author SimTech
    @payoman Hi there, thank you for the opportunity, most of my clients are residential and have no need for a website. The few clients who are businesses already have websites. I will keep you in mind for the future though!
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  • Profile picture of the author SimTech
    No, when you flag the post it is automatically taken down. Then the poster has to check the post against the guidelines and make sure it is acceptable, then repost it.

    Its obviously competition doing it. Bad thing its not local, because my local comp isn't using it!
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  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    I agree, it is the competition. Something funny I have noticed about craigslist.

    My text ads get flagged quick, it is obviously someone that is actually using the search box to look for their competition.

    BUT

    The same exact ad as an IMAGE ad does not get flagged

    Today's free tip for you my friend.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    Umm this is pretty tricky. Maybe look into drop shipping on eBay. Something where you don't need to buy anything until someone pays. Beside that with only $5 and no license it's going to be a tough one.

    I would suggest you keep trying to post ads on CL even if they get flagged. If one gets flagged post another. Keep at it my man!
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  • Profile picture of the author SimTech
    Green! Thanks for the tip! Makes a lot of sense and I was planning on working up an image today!

    Also, I have just recently gotten rid of my 21 day hold. How do you go about drop shipping though? Thats kind of like shorting shares it sounds like to me. Putting an ad up for an item for a price, then hoping you can find it cheaper when its time to buy?

    About to read your Quick & Dirty.
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    • Profile picture of the author greenovni
      Originally Posted by SimTech View Post

      Green! Thanks for the tip! Makes a lot of sense and I was planning on working up an image today!

      Also, I have just recently gotten rid of my 21 day hold. How do you go about drop shipping though? Thats kind of like shorting shares it sounds like to me. Putting an ad up for an item for a price, then hoping you can find it cheaper when its time to buy?

      About to read your Quick & Dirty.
      Guess what? I had my 21 day hold removed loooong time ago. Posted the lead auctions, sold them all and got hit with the 21 days again!

      Paypal says that it is because I am not in a new category, I know better, they are making a TON of cash in interest payments while holding your payments for 21 days....

      If you have any ?s about my lead system, let me know and I'll be glad to help you out my friend.
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      • Profile picture of the author SimTech
        Originally Posted by greenovni View Post

        Guess what? I had my 21 day hold removed loooong time ago. Posted the lead auctions, sold them all and got hit with the 21 days again!

        Paypal says that it is because I am not in a new category, I know better, they are making a TON of cash in interest payments while holding your payments for 21 days....

        If you have any ?s about my lead system, let me know and I'll be glad to help you out my friend.
        Green, I think I may give that a go. I am located in the panhandle of Florida, so hopefully we wont be competing!

        Also Green, I once met a blacksmith, he taught courses in Brazil - Taught them to make everything from scratch. The anvil the hammer, then other tools, including knives. I have thought since then it is something id like to get into, I live in the sticks and people love their knives! No custom knife makers around here...

        Aaron, thanks for the tip. Definitely sounds like something I need to hop on. It is so hard to part with money when you have none though. I generally only leave home to go to a job.

        I've got about 50 old computers... Not worth using, literally slower than molasses any idea on re purposing them?
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        • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
          Originally Posted by SimTech View Post

          I've got about 50 old computers... Not worth using, literally slower than molasses any idea on re purposing them?
          If you are talking about Pentium class computers, they aren't old . Scrap will normally bring about $10.00 each. And if not, pull the cards and motherboard out and stockpile them. Newer cards bring a dollar or two per pound ... older cards bring as much as $40/pound depending on the gold content.

          Assuming you really don't have any money but do have a PayPal account in good standing as well as an eBay account, it is easy to make a couple of $K/month ... more if you really hustle.

          When I was active on oBay, we used to discuss how to start from scratch with no money and make $1K - $5K or so per month within a month. This sounds like the situation you are in. What I used to do, and am starting to do again to a limited extent, is sell stuff for other people and charge 50%. The best I've ever done was sell a $15.00 item for about $2200.00.

          I also won't even try and sell something if it only brings maybe $10.00 or less ... it is just not worth the time.

          It works best when you have a good network of packrats who just want to see some of the stuff gone. This is the situation I'm in which makes the whole thing pretty easy. I talked to a friend this morning and let him know I was starting to sell again. He has a LOT of stuff, and will be starting to bring it over as he gets the time ... he needs the space .

          And it is a bonus if you also are knowledgeable about the pricing for that stuff. That way, you don't have to spend quit as much research time finding out what sells, and for how much. And it also allows you to quickly judge if something is worth your time to sell.

          And research is critical to doing well. Don't try and sell something with 500 similar items listed. Or items that you find out don't sell at any price.

          As has already been mentioned, swapmeets, garage sales, hamfests, and similar events are a great place to buy stuff low enough to make a profit when reselling.

          And an old saying that is VERY true when selling stuff like this is you make your money when buying, not when selling.

          BTW, if you are trying to extract precious metals, you will find that most of the things necessary are classified as extremely hazardous. You can buy gold stripping solution but realize that it contains cyanide. Yes, I used to do it, but I also owned a printed circuit manufacturing shop and had both the expertise and permits to handle that stuff legally.

          Marvin
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          • Profile picture of the author SimTech
            Marvin, thanks for the info. As far as the computers are concerned, they range around 92-94, and are pre pentium age. Some of the lot are newer and have pentium chips, most are not.

            You really don't think its worth it to extract the metals? I am fairly intelligent and believe I can figure out the process. I don't know what else to do with them, its not like I can take them to the scrap yard and just give them the PC for some cash. And even then, I would imagine as you said, it would only be $5-$10.

            I figure there is quite a bit of gold content in the ram, in the cpu's, in the PCI cards, etc. As well as the prongs that are inside the CPU slot, IDE slot, etc. Cut them all off and the weight really adds up for each computer.

            I read to expect around .3-.5 grams of gold per old CPU, if that is true, that alone is about $25 in gold per PC. These old PC's the PCI chips were really thick back then, even gold plated I image each chip has .1-.2g of gold. It is a lot of work either way, and as you said dangerous too - but if I can net $500 + off these computers that is a good ways towards my license!

            I don't really know any pack rats, and I really don't own much to speak of myself. I tried to set up shop with someone online, sold over $3000 worth of stuff and then he didn't deliver. I refunded everything, but one guy refused to release the transaction, and I ended up paying over $100 in seller fees!! Money I didn't have! =/
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            • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
              Originally Posted by SimTech View Post

              Marvin, thanks for the info. As far as the computers are concerned, they range around 92-94, and are pre pentium age. Some of the lot are newer and have pentium chips, most are not.

              You really don't think its worth it to extract the metals? I am fairly intelligent and believe I can figure out the process. I don't know what else to do with them, its not like I can take them to the scrap yard and just give them the PC for some cash. And even then, I would imagine as you said, it would only be $5-$10.

              I figure there is quite a bit of gold content in the ram, in the cpu's, in the PCI cards, etc. As well as the prongs that are inside the CPU slot, IDE slot, etc. Cut them all off and the weight really adds up for each computer.

              I read to expect around .3-.5 grams of gold per old CPU, if that is true, that alone is about $25 in gold per PC. These old PC's the PCI chips were really thick back then, even gold plated I image each chip has .1-.2g of gold. It is a lot of work either way, and as you said dangerous too - but if I can net $500 + off these computers that is a good ways towards my license!

              I don't really know any pack rats, and I really don't own much to speak of myself. I tried to set up shop with someone online, sold over $3000 worth of stuff and then he didn't deliver. I refunded everything, but one guy refused to release the transaction, and I ended up paying over $100 in seller fees!! Money I didn't have! =/
              If you do extract the gold using chemical means, you are better off taking the gold bearing solution to an *HONEST* recycler (sometimes hard to find) who will give you approximately 90% of spot pricing.

              Regardless, I'd still look to find a recycler who will pay you for the computers. You might need to shop around a bit to find someone depending on where you live. Then use the time you gained to find something that will not be as much of a time sink.

              I've got a standing offer with several people to take the old computers they get off their hands at no charge . Every six months or so, I make enough to put a tankful of gas in the car. I do it more as a way of keeping busy in a mindless way than trying to make money. If I was trying to make money to live on, it would be a total waste of my time.

              Being close to Los Angeles, I've develped a relationship with a scrapper who I think is honest and pays in cash. I've dealt with him for probably 15 years or so and it works out well for both of us.

              FWIW, the gold in the 90's was not generally thick. A rule of thumb is the shinier the gold surface, the thinner the gold. At 50 millions thick, the gold spot price would be in the area of $0.85/sq inch. And the gold fingers on the cards of that era are not plated that thick.

              It makes a great hobby, but is not a good way to make money in the volume you are talking about.

              Someone I know had to make some money to get back home some years ago (about 1000 miles away.) He went to a scrap dealer, bought scrap electric motors, removed the copper, and sold everything back to the scrap dealer. He was trading time for dollars, but it got him the money he needed.

              A friend of mine from Ukraine was visiting. To make some extra money, we went to the local university bike auction. He was able to buy bikes in the area of $10 - $25 each, fix them up to make good bikes, and resell them in the area of $75.00 or so each. It took time, but he was staying with us, he had no living expenses so it worked out well for him.

              There are countless ways to make money. And the approach is somewhat different depending on if you want to build a business or just get some reasonably fast cash.

              Best of luck!

              Marvin
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              • Profile picture of the author SimTech
                Hey man awesome reply,

                "He traded his time for dollars" Really makes me think, almost a way of forced employment! Lol

                I know the biggest contributing factor here is that, I live in an economically depressed area. Crime to be honest is pretty high, someone is always robbing someone else. Everyone is broke - everyone seems to be on food stamps. Everyone begs and barters - no joke!

                I am thinking of trying the pizza box flyer, discount community card, and business card advertising methods. Scared that it will be shot down though, at least in this town - but the next one over I think it would work. More people, more jobs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    I dont get it, you need 1k to fix license and get a 40k job. Beg, borrow or steal and get the money.
    Who cant get $1100? There are lots of threads around here with things that you can sell to get this amount of money before the week is over.
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    • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
      Originally Posted by Eddie Spangler View Post

      I dont get it, you need 1k to fix license and get a 40k job. Beg, borrow or steal and get the money.
      Who cant get $1100? There are lots of threads around here with things that you can sell to get this amount of money before the week is over.
      Made the most sense , get your license back, the rest is a lottery so unless you know when to hold your cards and when to fold them go with a solution that solves the problem then sort the rest later.
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  • Profile picture of the author SimTech
    The opening for the job has closed already. They gave me a three day notice, and I couldn't come up with the money in that time.

    So now I just need to get it fixed, so I don't keep having these issues, I lost it due to unpaid tickets, which I have still been driving and I drive much more appropriate then when I was younger.

    Things to sell, you mean physical items? My most valuable possession is my computer =/
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    SimTech here is a quick cash solution.

    1. On Thur, Fri, and Sat morning this week hit up yardsales.
    2. Buy anything you can turn around and resell for at least double.
    3. Sunday morning hit the yardsales that are left and try to make clear out deals. IE you will buy them out for pennies on the dollar.
    4. Sort stuff into three groups. Sell on craiglist (large items that will at least double your money, collectables, newer toys worth at least $10, etc), try to co-sign (good looking clothes you got on the sunday buyouts), and finally goodwill (basically donate it cause it will be too hard to sell yourself without a retail store.) Remember that groups of kids clothes (say a back of boys 2T) can be sold on craigslist vs giving them to goodwill. And consignment shops vary on what they will take so some of that will end up at good will anyways.
    5. List and sell what you can on craigslist
    6. Hit up the craiglist free section for more large items you can resell.

    You can easily make a few hundred a week from this method. And if you get good at it you can open a resale shop and hit the storage auctions (not nearly as profitable as the TV shows make them look).
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    21 day paypal holds and ebay. Honestly I think people just need to expect this and when it doesn't happen be happy. People have been complaining about this for years now but as long as Paypal believes they need to do this (to cover refunds) they will continue to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author SimTech
    Well after looking into it, I think Gold recovery from my old computer stuff is something I should be doing. I have about 50 PC's on hand and access to about 50 more. They are so old they can't be used, and at $1,500 per ounce, I think I can make something happen. I have been doing some research, anyone have any input on this? Bad idea? Something else to be done with them?

    Man, I hate that I have them all. I always figured I could network them together and make them process something for me.. Haha.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Gold recovery might be a way to get you some fast cash. Never spoke to anyone who pulled it from a computer so not sure on the time involved and how much you get. But Gold prices are very nice but you will not get $1500/oz since that is retail. Not sure of going wholesale but would guess 1/3rd since they have to melt and mold it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    @SimTech Send me a PM if you decide to go the gold recovery route. I've got a connection to get 98% of spot which is insanely high. I'm not affiliated with them in anyway I've just used them many times in the past and am very pleased with the service.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    98%? Very nice.

    That makes gold buying very profitable.
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  • Profile picture of the author HAdrian1239
    There are a ton of Youtube videos showing the process of salvaging gold from computer parts and all the other bits you have to do. If I had more time, and space, I'd be all over this... because it's fun... you get to use chemicals and take stuff apart, and things like that.
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    • Profile picture of the author SimTech
      Originally Posted by HAdrian1239 View Post

      There are a ton of Youtube videos showing the process of salvaging gold from computer parts and all the other bits you have to do. If I had more time, and space, I'd be all over this... because it's fun... you get to use chemicals and take stuff apart, and things like that.
      I've watched about every one of them! Does look fun, have to do the math though, and see if its worth it after the cost of the chemicals.

      Any suggestions on offline marketing to my town? I am working on a Robot suit to put on and dance around with a sign... Lol.. But its turned out to be quite a project as I am not very creative.
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  • Profile picture of the author greenovni
    About the gold processing, true there are videos on youtube.

    Here are some tips

    1. DO NOT BUY THIS CRAPDO NOT BUY THIS CRAP to refine your gold

    2. You need a step by step system instead of watching a few videos and thinking that it is as easy as the "lead" system you read this morning.

    2a. NEVER BREATHE IN THE BROWN VAPORS! EVER! EVER!

    2b. How do you plan to "drop" your gold from the solution?

    3. Do you have enough gold in those 50 PCs to make this worthwhile? (You might)

    4. Is selling the parts of these PC worth MORE than the gold in them?

    etc etc

    I Learned all of this last year when I told a client "Of course I know how to refine gold" - Luckily I had a good teacher
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    • Profile picture of the author SimTech
      After further research it appears that there is only about .5-.9 grams per 100 sticks of ram, furthermore not worth the time or investment.

      The parts are from the 90's, as in 91-95. Nobody has a need for these anymore.

      Managed to make $50 yesterday, after gas & food I have $35. Wouldn't you know it I just got a call from the bank, I apparently overdrafted $2.17 from which they charged me $35.00 overdraft fee, and a $2.00 non payment fee (per day)... So I am about to go pay that, after that I will have less than I started with yesterday.
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  • Profile picture of the author SimTech
    I tried my luck at opening up a shop in town, I had 4 roommates at the time, their rent pretty much paid all of my house bills. They all lost their jobs at pretty much the same time, so I was stuck paying my office bills and home bills. Including feeding us all until they could find another job, about 6 months went by and they were never able to find jobs.

    I got 2 speeding tickets, nothing major, and a ticket for failing to move over for a cop who had someone pulled over. I moved to the line, he had plenty of room, but you are supposed to get in the other lane apparently. I got all of these the same month.. About $900 in tickets.

    I had to make a choice between my office bills/house/tickets. I chose the office, everything got shut off at my home, I kicked everyone out, and started staying at my office. Saved up got utilities back on at the house, closed the office. And now here I am.

    I tried to get what they call a hardship license, they said I can't have it until I pay the tickets.

    Any idea on how you go about actually speaking to a judge? lol
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    Most courts won't allow you to speak to the magistrate or judge over the phone, so you would need to go see them in person.

    Call & ask the receptionist when your presiding judge has some free time in his schedule & make an appointment.

    Then just go & see him/her, and explain what happened..

    Everyone has problems, even judges.. so chances are, they will understand.
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  • Profile picture of the author Boavida
    Good luck, my friend.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ushadevi
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author SimTech
      Honestly, I live in a very low populated area - with little to no businesses - jobs.

      Craigslist only works for about 50 miles away from me. Lol, but yes I will be using CL as soon as I get my new image made.
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  • Profile picture of the author swilliams09
    When you get on your feet. Look up the post office EDDM for your area. Make a letter/flyer stating that you in business doing computer repair. Send it out to every home in your area or in the city of you can afford it.

    Until then, make some black and white flyers, put them out around town. Get the word of mouth going. Ask everyone you know if they need repair work done. Everyone has a computer these days. Make you a quick freebie website until you can get a real one. Get some cheap vista print cards and leave them in popular spots that allow cards until you can get nice ones. Do what you gotta do.

    Hustle. Hustle hard.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    Maybe start taking public transportation and seriously work towards getting your own business off the ground.
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    • Profile picture of the author SimTech
      Thank you guys, I appreciate the comments. I was watching Shark Tank today, and one of the Investors said - People often talk about following their passions. What they should be talking about is following their efforts. And it spoke to me. I feel as if in most things I do, I am planning and trying to do one thing, while I end up always doing another. I run from it and it always has a magnetic effect. I need to fix my license, I believe I know how to. The rest will come after it.

      Michael, I am trying to get my business off the ground! Perhaps I just don't really understand how. I feel as if I should be making much more money.

      I fail in organizational skills, accounting skills, two things I believe to be imperative in business. Also - Prioritizing and im not sure how you say (Take charge). I often think of my plan for the entire day, and often when I finish the day and do everything I feel extremely accomplished, and seem to have gained quite some ground.

      Too often I find myself only doing the easy things... And by easy I do not mean non-labor intensive.

      I just busted my ass for 15 hours, came home cut up, bruised, and sore from head to toe for $120.

      But confronting people - Ah! Is it so hard. I have yet to tell my Mother I am married. We got married in May!! I just told my father today! Now there is a baby on the way.

      I think I need ADD medication - and I am serious, has anyone tried this? I have always blamed my fleeting tendencies on the fact that I am a Gemini. Lately ADD sounds much more probable.

      I started a Robot costume 9 months ago - I think it will bring KILLER business yet I can't finish it.

      I could probably borrow the money from my Mother to get my license, that would involve telling her that I have lied to her for the past several years about paying my tickets...

      I traded two pistols that were lent to me for a period of 9 months, to a client of mine for $1,500 to get my truck. After repairs I have $1,800 in it. I still need about $2,000 more dollars to put in to it to have it finished. I have to fix my license to get the truck registered, and to get insurance. Scariest drive of my life driving it home from the repair shop with no license, no tag, and no insurance! It's a - The nail that sticks out gets hammered..

      I have an uncle that would most likely lend me the $2,000 I need for the truck. Why don't I do these things!?

      I do not know. Sometime I notice myself coming off so confident, and then sometimes I get nervous so easy and I start sweating bullets. Over nothing.

      On what I think is a good note... I have been trying to do some youtube marketing, I have been tweaking my add, today I got 42,444 ad impressions. Google messaged me and said they can show me how to improve it by etc etc.

      I have been at work dismantling all of my computers and getting them separated into different boxes of different material. Aluminum - Gold - Copper - Palladium - It is a lot of work - I need an employee I really do. To follow me around and do what I tell them to do.

      Next step is buying all of the acid and such I will need to do the extractions! =/

      Interesting side note - (To me at least) When I was young I led people, I was always the leader. I was asked to attend leadership classes etc, which I never did though. I have been called the "Father Figure" Etc, by too many. I have been losing my ability to speak over the last couple years. I can barely articulate anything anymore, when I begin to speak, my words start to run together, and I am unable to convey any meaning. So much so - I have often wished I could stop speaking to people and write to them instead. I have wished I could go the rest of my life without moving my tongue, because it is the god damn devil and doesn't do a thing I tell it to!!

      Has anyone heard of anything like this?

      Any suggestions on articulating? For lack of better words.
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      • Profile picture of the author SimTech
        I apologize for this post, I lost my mind at some point.

        I have been working on my robot costume - Looking good so far, can't wait to give it a try.

        No luck at youtube marketing yet. =/
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