tough tactics for tough times

Everyone in my area is doing it on the side as a way of bringing in a little extra money. (Too many people and not enough material coming in to make a go of it full time.)

If somebody was doing it as a full time business i would say plan for taxes. Take 1/4 to 1/3 of every check and set that aside to pay your income tax at the end of the year.

The other thing i would strongly recommend is having zero debt. If you can't pay cash then you can't afford it.