Quote Originally Posted by ChildhoodDream View Post
Years back I did the flea markets a bit. I mostly went so that I could FISH for collectors of things that I have plenty of. I had a nice permanent setup at a market that is a reasonable drive from me and I would most times go there Thursday later in the day and be ready for the next morning. There were others that had permanent booths and there were those that traveled in motor homes with nice trailers and rented enough space to park and set up with their wares. So there would be a few others there on a Thursday just relaxing and visiting a bit with others that were there.

The market days back then were Fri, Sat and Sunday was free if sellers that were there the day before wanted to relax. Most would head out Saturday afternoon so they could set up at the next market on Sunday and such. Now the market I'm talking about is a family market on a old farm place and the owners live across the road and near by so in the past they didn't mind the regulars coming in early and staying longer even tho the market wasn't really open for the public at the time.

It is a Saturday only market these days from what I understand. I haven't been there in many years as the world was a turning and it wasn't profitable anymore to invest so much TIME and energy into it.

I had many great times visiting with others that did the flea markets as a hobby or lifestyle when the selling and trading day for the public had closed. But the sellers were a busy trading and such. That is where you could find the deals and treasures at the market. The off duty time when folks are relaxing and such.

For those that are curious or interested as it is still claimed to be one of the best markets in Minnesota. Just search for "Wright County Swapper's Meet".

As I said, I haven't been there in years, but I do plan on a few trips this year just to look around and maybe do some "fishing" for collectors.


As I read I was reminded of something that I learned many years ago when I first got my place. It was a VERY nice day outside and I had things to do around the yard but just didn't feel like doing much more then having a nap.

Then the next day was rain and storm and I felt rested up and was ready to get outside and do something, but the weather was nasty.

I remember thinking that I should of worked the day before and rested on the rain day.

It took me awhile to figure it out clearly that I felt like a nap and that was what was at the top of my personal list as that is what I required. If I would of pushed myself doing things because of the weather and time, it wouldn't of turned out well as I have learned that from experience that you always have to "rest up" within a balance or you end up burning out and take quite awhile to get back to your old self.

I have learned how to follow a flow that works well enough for me as I can't jump as high and run as fast as I did in the past, but I can still kick butt when required.

then have a nice vacation and recharge the system.

We are a bit like a rechargeable battery in that with age it takes longer to get a charge and it don't last as long.



the energizer bunny from the olden daze
Flea markets are cool, but they're a lot of work. I enjoyed getting rid of that stuff for money because I knew it had value but it would have been much easier to load it all up and head to the dump. As much as I like junk, I need to be making healthy profits. The time/money I put into buying this storage unit + processing it for sale + loading + going to market and selling it + still making a dump run and cleaning the unit so I can USE it is going to net me $10-12/hour all said and done. I make $16.60 at my real job. So until I figure out how to make more money, I can't quit. And I really want to quit.

I'm in search of the freedom of working for myself, but I'm also in search of finacial freedom. I pay nearly $800/month for student loans on a degree I don't use. Then I have rent, food, gas, insurance, unexpected living costs, and I like to treat my gf to dinner when I can. Buying and selling storage units isn't going to get me where I want to be...unless I get lucky...and I'm not a lucky guy.

I hear ya on the rechargeable battery, man. I'm still young at the age of 25, but I'm already slowing down. I used to be able to run on 3-4 hours of sleep every day of the week and not skip a beat. I just can't do that anymore. I got home from the market around 4pm after stopping at a buddies house on the way home. I was asleep on the couch at 5pm and just woke up at 11:30. Now I'll be up all night on the internet reading this and that and talking smack on forums. It's not a total loss...I work 3rd shift at the moment so this will keep me on schedule for the week but it's not really how I want to get through life...

I'm just hoping that I can figure out what works to make some decent money and quit working my job. They don't treat us the best over there and I work 12 days on 2 days off. Every week. I've had 4 days off a month for over a year and it's really getting to me now. Right when I was about to quit they promoted me to a pay that I can't just go get anywhere with my experience. I wanted to give them a year so I could build my resume, and during that time I was making the kind of money I could have gotten anywhere. About a week before I was going to start interviews elsewhere they told me I had advanced and gave me a 30% raise...figures.

I need about $50k/year to feel comfortable. I make about $40k at work and want to get close to the $10k mark doing side work. but considering I only have 4 days a month that means I need to make $200 a day on the days I don't work my regular job. So really...if I ever want a day OFF... I need to work after I get off work. It's no way to go through life but maybe someday I'll get ahead.

Sorry for rambling...Just woke up off the couch and am trying to get my own head around the situation I've found myself in.