#free marketplace of ideas right here folks

[scoopisboopis]

yeah I consider myself somewhat of a photographer

[bodrewritten]

Daughter of Discord Rewritten Chapter 15: The Grapevine

Discord flew about the marketplace searching for everything on Fluttershy's shopping list. The cool, crisp air took his mind off the familial troubles.

"Woah! Slow your roll here hoss!" Discord said, stopping her with his paw. "What's the rush?"

"Oh shoot," Applejack muttered under her breath.

Of all the folks she could bump into, it had to be him! She put on her best poker face, which was not very convincing.

"Oh, uh, howdy partner! I was just, uh...I have to, uh...I left the bath water runnin'! Yeah, I gotta get home, see? So, uh...bye!"

She thought she was free until the draconequus picked her up by the front. (She had to admit, it was nice to be picked up. She was getting too strong nowadays-)

"Element of Honesty, huh?" he smirked. "So what's really troubling you, AJ?"

"Uh..." Applejack gulped. "I don't really wanna talk about it!" Her sweat began to run cold "Plus, it doesn't concern you!"

Discord shook his head in amusement. "You know I can always just peek into your head and discover what you're hiding?"

"No!" the cowgirl shouted, kicking her legs desperately. "You're not gonna like it!"

"Ooh! That juicy, huh? I was lying but that sound fun!"

Applejack bucked and he dropped her immediately. He didn't feel like losing his head that day!

"what's got you boiling hot all of the sudden?" He accentuated his point when he removed her hat and her head steamed like a kettle.

Applejack lowered her head and pulled her hat to her chest. "I'm only showin' you cuz you have a right to know, on account of being married to Fluttershy." She pointed an accusatory hoof towards the mare in question.

An orange stallion was kissing a mare tenderly, touching her mane and running his hoof along her face. Discord had never felt more disgusted about anything in his life.

For that mare was his wife.

"Fluttershy?" Applejack uttered.

The pegasus pushed the stallion away to look at the stunned cowgirl with those once innocent teal eyes. She rolled them in annoyance.

"Uh, hello?" she said in a tone that was very unlike her. "You shouldn't have seen this..."

She was about to pull the stallion in again when Applejack cut between them.

"damn straight I shouldn't! What is this?!" she demanded. "Who is this?! What about Discord?! And Screwball and Zany?!"

Fluttershy scoffed. "Oh I'm soooo sorry! Won't anypony please forgive me! It was a moment of weakness!"

Applejack could not believe it. "What's come over you?! Do ya have any idea what-"

"listen you two!" Fluttershy snapped, shoving her friend. "I just don't believe I can really love you discord. You and your kids, you're too much!"

Discord had seen enough and flashed back to reality.

"I...I'm sorry!" Applejack stammered. "I...I wanted to- I don't know what-"

The draconequus' breathing was shallow and quick, and he flew towards his house, knocking over carts and goods.

Once she was sure Applejack was gone, Fluttershy wrenched herself away from her lover.

"Queen Chrysalis will certainly be pleased."

They both laughed as they changed into their changeling selves.

"Now let's get out of here before things get ugly!" The insect said.

Before these events, the real Fluttershy was in the steam room with Rarity.

"So have you talked with the prince Blueblood yet?" Fluttershy asked her friend.

The unicorn sighed. "I did, but..." She stomped her hoof. "He was just as rude and gauche as always!"

The pegasus gasped. "Oh, goodness! What did you do?"

"What else could I do? I took Autumn Glory and kept her far away from him."

"Oh, Rarity! I'm so sorry! What did Applejack say?"

"She wants me to let the two meet! I know she's probably right, she knows more about how ponies feel when they don't have their family. Family is the most important thing to her! But like I said earlier, I'm afraid of what she'll turn out like!"

"you can't protect her from him forever. It's not healthy for a filly to never face hardships. Maybe if she knows him now she won't be disappointed later... Oh, it's a horrible thing."

"Maybe..." Rarity's face fell. "Huh. I hadn't thought of that. Oh, I screwed up again, didn't I? I have to make this right. How are your troubles working out?"

"Screwball and Discord still won't talk to each other, but we're going to sort it all out tonight. He's starting to come around to the idea that maybe the changeling really loves her, but he can't help himself to feed on her. I..."

Fluttershy's face screwed up in shame. "I just don't think he can."

Rarity looked up from her massage. "Can what?"

"it's shameful. I just don't think he can love her. Not because she isn't loveable, but because most ponies think she's too much."

Rarity gasped!

"oh no! Don't get me wrong, she isn't! But he's a prince and she's so unapologetically herself. it's one of her best features but most ponies can't see her the way I do."

The pony refilling the towels chuckled darkly.

"Mantis, I have the info you need and more."

As Fluttershy trotted on home, the aura around the cottage didn't seem as homely anymore.

"Oh goodness," she uttered. "I hope they haven't gotten into another fight."

She opened the door to find her husband sitting in a circle of fire in the middle of the room.

"Discord...?" she asked in shock.

The draconequus turned at the sound of her voice. As soon as he caught sight of her, the flames extinguished. Fluttershy cautiously approached him and gingerly put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

He jerked away from her. Discord stood up and clenched his fists. His very bones shook.

"Why?"

Fluttershy tilted her head in concern. "What?"

Discord gritted his teeth. "Why would you do this to our family?" He spun around, his eyes burning with betrayed agony. "Don't you care for everything we've built together? And in front of our friends-!"

His wife blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Too much are we? If this is true then why would you pretend for so long?! How could you- our children, you betrayed them the worst!"

"Discord I don't..."

She squealed as he grabbed her foreleg, soft and trying so hard to be that way.

"Tell me it's not true."

"Discord, please! You're scaring me I don't-"

"do you really think we're too much? That we can't be loved? You told me yourself it wasn't true, you convinced me I was worth loving."

Fluttershy was taken aback. Had he spies on her? He hadn't in a long time, but if he did he clearly misunderstood? But she had said that. She hung her head in shame.

"others might say that, but I promise you're never too much for me. What are you talking about with this betrayal?"

"Don't play innocent with me! I saw you! Applejack saw you! You gloated to me how much you loved this stallion!"

Discord snatched up the bangle he had given to her when they'd gotten engaged

"Does this mean nothing to you?" he bellowed. "Was I cruel? Was I not good to our kids?! Please tell me how to make you come back to us!"

"Discord, please!" Fluttershy begged. "There is no other stallion! My heart belongs to you!"

Tears formed in her eyes. How could Discord have seen her with another stallion when she was at the spa all day? She had not even talked to another stallion on her way back!

"Discord, you have to believe me! I love you and only you!"

She squeaked as he dropped her to the floor and turned away. He could not bear to look at her.

"don't try to make me think I'm crazy!" He fiddled with the gold band embracing his finger.

"our- My children won't be around this. They deserve to be loved for who they are."

He burst into flames and vanished from sight, leaving Fluttershy in a saddened and confused state.

Screwball sat on the park bench, her brother in the baby buggy beside her. She reached in and tickled his stomach. He giggled, which made her smile a bit.

"Sometimes," she whispered, "I think you're the only one who understands me, bro."

A pink ball rolled up to her feet. Screwball glanced down as a filly rushed up to retrieve it.

"Hey, Autumn" she greeted her friend.

The scruffy filly looked up and grinned. "Hey, Screwy! Whatcha doing?"

"Just...taking Zany for a walk."

"But you're sitting."

"Well, I'm resting. What are you doing here?"

"I was helping mama A.J. in the market, y'know the one near Town square? Well anyways, we saw your mama and she told me to go play, so Taco and his brother and I started playing ball.

"Where's thunder and lightning?"

"They're having a race somewhere. They found some beetles and made them fight earlier."

"did Cinnamon Twist tell you what kinda beetles they are?" Screwball said.

"the twins are actually playing with mama Dash. Well, I gotta get back now. Come back around when the round is over and you can join us!"

"See ya."

The purple filly was about to leave when a drop of water splashed on her nose.

"Hey," she said. "It's not supposed to rain today."

The two looked up at the sky as it clouded in pink. A few seconds later, it started pouring down chocolate milk.

"Not funny, Screwball!" Taco grandé exclaimed, placing a hoof down on the ball.

"I'm not doing it!" Screwball insisted.

She looked at Zany, but he was huddling under the buggy's canopy and sticking out his tongue in disgust. Strange, he loved chocolate milk.

Her speculation was interrupted when Discord materialized in front of them.

"Why hello there, Screwy!" Discord said in a nervous and dazed tone. "You like what I've done with the weather?"

The young mare looked at her father curiously. "You okay, Dad?"

"Oh, I'm fine! Hey, honey! I'm sorry about our little fight last week! How about we make up over some father-daughter bonding? You want to help your daddy make a cola storm in Manehattan?"

Her eyes lit up. "Cool! But...wouldn't Mom get mad?"

Discord tensed. "Hey, Fluttershy won't mind! I'm sure she'd want us to get along anyhow."

Screwball cringed. "Uh, Dad? What if ponies get mad? They have work to do today."

He held her in the crook of his arm. " We won't be long enough to cause them any trouble."

The infant gurgled in delight while Screwball's stomach churned.

"But Dad, you promised you wouldn't..."

"Our first order of business will be to recruit some friends to have fun with us."

With that idea in mind, Screwball's mouth broke into a devious smile. "What are we waiting for then?"

Discord laughed in a way he hadn't in a long time. "That's my girl!"

"Though Dad...I just have two things."

"Anything, my dear."

"First, you promise we won't seriously hurt any pony?"

He batted his eyes innocently. "Well of course not, sweetie!"

"Second..." She tapped her face in contemplation before an idea struck. " Have to visit the rock farm!

Discord laughed maniacally. "Come, my little abominations! We have chaos to wreak!"

Beyond the clouds reach, beneath the leering eye of the queen, the cold and weak form that made Mothball lifted from the forest's floor and carried off.

[cj-the-random-artist]

I've had thoughts about a random au I've come up with and this is the rambly post about it because it's consuming my brain, enjoy

Ok I wanna make a rambly words post because I just came up with a hermitcraft / life series / empires / whoever I could add because it's funny AU that's been sitting in my brain for several days and I've had coherent thoughts about it as of now where I feel like I can say words about it so. Gonna make a rambly post about it so I can say words about this really random idea I had that I'll probably use as an excuse to practice comics

I don't have a proper title for it yet but basically the idea is a semi-medieval fantasy world where most of the hermits / life series / empires people all live in this village / town around this castle (or outside the town) and there's marketplace and magic and all that. And there's fae folk (less evil than in a lot of folklore), and elves and dwarves and humans and ghosts and werewolves and such (notably, unlike a lot of fantasy media the dwarves and elves do not hate each other, lol). Anyways.

The entire premise of this AU is that it would follow a half-drawven Impulse, and his roommate and best friend Skizz, who was blessed by the fae folk to have a silver tongue (he's not 100% convincing but he's very convincing to most people). They live just outside of town near Gem (elf, alchemist), Pearl (human, former high priestess from the disbanded following of the Sun goddess Pearl), and the Ranchers who live on a ranch together and they take care of cows and chickens and horses and Tango tinkers in his free time and stuff. And Zed's this guy who lives in a cave not far from them and he's buddies with them and stuff. Anyways. Impulse is a blacksmith and he makes weapons / tools / parts and stuff. And he's good at it but he never goes into town, it's Skizz who goes into town and sells Impulse's wares (he's a very convincing salesman). But every now and then, Skizz manages to convince Impulse to come into town himself. And Impulse is hesitant but eventually relents and goes into town. But every time he goes into town, some kind of shenanagins go down, like dragons or monster hunters or drawing the attention of the royal guards or something. Like I have episode type stuff planned where Impulse goes into town and he gets dragged to the castle and has to spend a night in jail with travelling bard Oli Orionsound because he didn't know he had to pay taxes and was committing unintentional tax evasion or something. Idk it's just mostly random tidbits right now but I think it would be really funny to make this comedic medieval fantasy type setting with silly, lighthearted shenanagins and stuff. It's a thought I've had and I also don't have a name for this AU or anything but I think it would be funny. Anyways

I'm planning on making a couple of comics about this cuz I think it would be really funny to make something with this, and it's good comic-making practice, and also I'm posting this up here so I can hold myself to it cuz I need accountability (lol). But anyways. If y'all have questions or anything, lmk cuz this has completely consumed my brain for the past few days and enjoy this long paragraph of random semi-coherent ideas :D

[victorluvsalice]

Hello folks! I feel like I need to start moving to an "every OTHER week" schedule when it comes to posting the Chill Valicer Save updates, just because they always have a LOT of pictures, and it takes me a good long while to get them sorted with everything they need (even WITH the ability to now put like thirty pictures in a post if I so desire). So, this week, you instead get a look at one of my more recent builds -- the Community Conservatory! My first-ever Community Space lot! I actually built this for my potential "Valicer In The Dark" save file, as it's meant to represent the abandoned conservatory that Victor turns into a neighborhood garden during the course of that AU. I thought doing it as a community space and having the building noticeably improve as you took it through the Community Garden, Maker Space, and Marketplace lot subtypes would be a neat idea --

And it was indeed! :D It proved to be a pretty simple build -- I knew pretty much exactly what I wanted it to look like, meaning getting the initial shell down was really easy -- but it was a very fun one too. :) Let me take you through the various stages:

Community Space: The "default" space, this is just the shell of the building, with a little outhouse to the side and the voting board. It's completely empty inside, and I've done a little "moveobjects on" to put some cracks and such on some of the windows to make it look a little more rundown. This is the basic "abandoned conservatory" lot.

Community Garden: This is what it looks like after the Three Pillars have got it cleaned up, started making planters, and word has spread around their neighborhood, Six Towers, about this new free garden. I wanted it to look like the community had revitalized it, so all the various cracks and such are gone and there's a bunch of flowers outside. :) The entrance hall has a few hale bales to sit on and some gardening tools; the main octagon has floor planters, a bee box, and various garden-related decorations (lots of potted plants, a potting bench, and the like); the left wing is all about vertical gardens; and the right wing is all about insect farms! Oh, and the outhouse has been gussied up with a floor rug and a bit of art. :) I wanted it to be fun and inviting, and I think it came out well!

Maker Space: People have decided they want to do some crafting here, so some old beams and tin roof sheeting has been scavenged from an old factory and set up as extra cover around the back so people can set up communal crafting projects -- plus some stuff for their children! :) As I didn't want to mess with the main build (the whole point is that this space is CLEARLY the same building, just being built up more and more as you progress through the various spaces), I ended up having to put the "maker space" stuff outside -- and I wanted to make sure it was protected from the rain, so I did the old "floating roofs" trick and put some columns at each corner to make it look like the beams were holding them up. (I WAS going to do proper awnings/pergolas, but either they didn't look right or I couldn't get the stuff underneath them.) Included is the recycling machine, a fabricator, a woodworking bench, and a candle-making station under one roof, and a juice fizzer, three children's activity tables, and some toys appropriate for all ages under the other! So there should be something for just about everyone.

Marketplace: People have decided as long as they're MAKING stuff, they may as well SELL it too and have dragged some selling tables into the front yard...and if they're doing that, there's this old barrel someone turned into a grill, and these planks could be painted or carved and turned into picnic benches... :) The final upgrade to the space, we have the Jungle Adventures selling tables out front, along with some picnic tables and a grill. I was going to put one of the vendor stalls too, as that's a optional thing the game suggests, but none of them looked right, and this is a small lot with limited room, so I decided to forget it (I mean, the picnic area IS already really close to the outhouse, which is both good and bad XD). This is when the conservatory becomes a true community space for the residents, and I wanted it to look even more happy and colorful. I think I succeeded. :)

So yeah, that's the Community Conservatory build! Now, I haven't put this one up on the Gallery, but I would be open to doing it -- if I knew how putting these types of lot up on the Gallery worked. Since, you know, it's REALLY four lots...do you just upload one lot variant at a time, or do you get all four if you upload one? If it's just one lot variant at a time, that's okay -- I'm thinking I'd put up the base "Community Space" build as the only build of mine that does not require fifty million packs. XD Let me know what you think, and how uploading would work! More store shenanigans with the Chill Valicer trio next week!

[multiplicity-positivity]

questioning anon here.

firstly, thank you so much. im definitely going to look into the resources and attempt to get enough information to try to work towards self dxing, and take it to a specialist once im able to.

to answer the question of what country, im from the usa.

hey, we’re happy to help - good luck with your search!

and for anyone living in the usa who is in need of mental health care/therapy… i’m really sorry to say that it’s an uphill battle. the usa does not have much affordable healthcare options, and you kind of need to know where to look and how to advocate for yourself in order to receive the best care. we’d like to share some advice for anyone in the usa that may help them find affordable care.

(for reference and transparency, we currently have insurance purchased from the government’s “affordable healthcare marketplace.” we pay $170USD per month for insurance, with $30 copays for therapy, medication, and primary care visits.)

first, definitely check out this bdg video describing a lot of the terminology surrounding healthcare insurance in the usa. the healthcare system, like many systems in our government, is incredibly convoluted and difficult to understand. we don’t even have a good grasp on it. this video has some great explanations and can help you get an idea of what you’re looking at when shopping for insurance.

next, look into your local state, county, and city health departments, to see if one of them offers any programs that provide free, affordable, or sliding-scale payment options for mental healthcare. sliding-scale payment means you pay a certain amount based on your income, making services more accessible for poor folks. services will vary vastly from state to state, city to city, and county to county, so we can’t really guarantee you’ll be able to find care this way, but it’s always absolutely worth a shot.

finally, if you’re unable to find any affordable mental healthcare elsewhere, try combing through the healthcare marketplace website to see if there’s a health plan that offers therapy coverage and is affordable for you. the website is convoluted and difficult to navigate, but you may be able to find a plan that will help therapy be more affordable for you. please note that, unless you’ve just turned 26, the only time you can enroll in one of these plans is from like november 15-december 15 or something like that. so you may have to wait a while before you’re able to actually select a plan.

if you’re not 26 yet, and one of your parents or guardians has insurance, you may be able to get on their plan for little to no added cost. check with them and with their insurance company, if you’re able to, to see if this would be a possible option for you.

no one should have to go without healthcare, and it’s a major violation of human rights for us to have to live this way. but unfortunately that’s how life is for many americans. hopefully this will be of some benefit to a system out there in need of care. we wish you all the best, good luck with everything!

🐢 kip and 🌸 margo

[askforfireman]

ʀᴇꜱᴜᴍᴇ / Résumé

ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ

〚💰〛Volke is taken after Radiant Dawn, and he is currently looking to expand his contracts/business elsewhere (Fodlan). 〚💰〛He is not a teacher, but a miscellaneous figure associated with the Ashen Wolves. That's where the questionable people are, and questionable people pay for almost anything so long as they don't get the blame. However! He does still interact with the world above, because connections are good for business. (It's also how he gets intel.) 〚💰〛He can be found:

At the courtyards Shadows of the marketplace Corners of the reception hall Anywhere in Abyss

ᴘʟᴏᴛᴛɪɴɢ

〚💰〛He IS attending the Ethereal Ball, so feel free to meet him there. He is LIGHTNING.

〚💰〛Any threads he DOES take on will mostly be based on meeting people for right now. Therefore, I will not be posting a plotting call or anything of that nature, but I MIGHT send him your way if your muse doesn't have a monthly prompt partner for a prompt Volke would do. This said, feel free to message me on Tumblr if you'd like to plan for right now!

ʜᴇʜ.

〚💰〛Let's play a game. Who am I (the mun)? Got a guess? Message me on Tumblr with an idea! Don't go asking around because that impedes on people who didn't sign up for this. (Not that there were sign-ups) (I'll reveal myself tomorrow, but here's a bit of 12 hour fun.) If someone gets it right, I'll reveal myself earlier.

Hints:

Volke is not my first muse in TOA.

I AM in the server already.

ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴠɪᴇᴡ

“There’s a pretty penny around here, eh?”

Gloved digits slide glass over polished wood ( too nice for a vagabond hole like this ), and one finger to lower the red garb obscuring his face grants him a sip of something fiery. A tch! and the glass thuds against thick wood with a plop! 

“And your sort are the ones with it,” A languid point of the forefinger to alabaster robes and that ridiculous subservience to someone surely stained with grimy secrets. “Word has it that your folk are in need of a hefty hand, and you’ve a pretty penny to pay for it.”

New land made for a new need for money — currency issues made for difficult exchanges. New land? A new shop for business — plenty of slums to slink around in, people with petty vendettas: a good living with a dirty man’s work. New tunnels, new connections — a complete reboot, if not an exponential increase, for yielded gold.

He abandons the stool to lean against the bar, returning red cloth to above the ridge of his nose. Shiny ivory attire embellished by silver and gold? If all goes to waste and the cloth across his face isn’t the only thing made red, it’d make a decent profit to loot what’s left and hop to the next town over . . . An assassin’s work on top of a businessman’s. Heh. It made for efficient work and an . . . array of talents. 

“Those sorts of problems,” A second sip. “I stomp them out. Call me Fireman — I’ll stomp yours out or I’ll stomp you out. Whichever contract I get first. Your choice.”

Pretty hefty choice for a novice, he muses, and he knows his easy smirk can’t be discovered behind veiling red. Novice? Novice. No one with more than a cent’s worth of a brain stumbled into a low-life bar all gussied up in luxurious colors — the most he could give it was a nickel, nothing more. 

Swift strides ( departing an abandoned drink — a waste of coin ) usher him, and the poor fool whose flapping collar he grasped to steer with, out of the musty wooden tavern. An easy jostle of the collar lets the lad go, and previously occupied hands return, folded, at the chest. 

“You’re an expensive liability if you can haggle your time in the slums,” He grumbled. “Or you’re looking for someone. A bit of coin, and I can find who that is — my skill set. Intelligence.” 

A skill set of bloodshed, bloodletting, and silencing someone with bloodlust — not in any particular order, but a repertoire for a low-life businessman’s sake of ease. A haggler, too, but a salesman with lofty prices — lofty prices for lofty work. 

“Only issue is that I don’t make friends,” Not in this profession — too risky, too fallible. “But it’s bad for business to kill clients.”

Then, the kid thought it wise to speak — fathomable for a kid, but not quite for a church scholar; the two didn’t mix: kid and scholar. Kids were. . . kids. Too curious, too reckless. But if they paid? A job’s a job. 

“So why not scurry back to that church of yours and get some coin. My weakness? A good deal — my offer to you. I’ll stomp out your issue finding this fellow, or maybe someone’ll pay me to stomp you out, kid.” 

Any profit-savvy professional knew the expenditures of a lost client — too hefty to heal and too tainting to turn a blind eye to. It made for a grimy contract, and while his talents were questionable, his success didn’t need to be. It led to a less-than-pleasant eradication, and that resulted in a loss of profit. Not to mention future clients . . . 

Heh. Gears were turning and ticking; he could see it. Always could, always would — that flicker of weighing the consequences, evaluating the cost, declaring the outcome. 

“Mister,” not with this again, “Are you in the church’s archives? Or the court system’s?”

“Heh,” Eyes close in a moment’s humor, and a scoff-like chuckle thrums, gravel-like, in his throat. “The only written record of me, kid, in the court would be the man that paid off the jury and slipped the noose. Anything more and I’ll have to charge you. So, deal?”

[extrainomexpert]

10 Innovative and Best Passive Income Side Hustles for 2023

Hey there! Hope you’re doing well.

Are you in search of the best passive income side hustles to ensure a secure financial future?

Or perhaps you’re actively scouting for innovative side business ideas that can bring in that much-needed extra cash.

Maybe, just maybe, you’re thinking about diving into the world of weekend side hustles to make the most of your precious free time.

And hey, some lucky folks out there are even hitting the jackpot with the ever-elusive 6 figure side hustle.

So, if you’re on the prowl for the best side business that aligns with your aspirations or you’re pondering the age-old question of “what’s the best side business to start?” – guess what? You’re in the right place!

We’ve got all these bases covered. Join us as we embark on a journey through the realm of the best side hustle businesses and unearth the 10 most innovative and profitable best side hustle ideas that are making waves in the side hustle arena.

But here’s the kicker – these opportunities won’t burn a hole in your pocket when you’re getting started.

We’re talking about low-cost, high-reward endeavors here. Just picture it: the freedom to earn more while indulging in your passions without having to break the bank upfront.

Side hustles give you the best of both worlds.

Need some extra cash to finance that dream vacation? Perhaps you want to explore a new career path without kissing your day job goodbye? Or maybe you’re just captivated by the idea of becoming your own boss? Side hustles check all these boxes and then some.

Think of them as your secret tools for achieving financial freedom. They also aid in personal growth and help you chase your dreams, all without straining your finances.

Whether you’re an expert in a particular field or just exploring new ventures, stay tuned. We’re about to reveal this year’s hottest, budget-friendly opportunities!”

1. Social media manager for small businesses

Small businesses often struggle to maintain an active and engaging social media presence. If you’re savvy with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, consider offering your services as a social media manager. You can help businesses build their online brand, schedule posts, engage with customers, and even run advertising campaigns.

How to Get Started:

Create a portfolio showcasing your social media skills, and you can do that on Fiverr such as: https://bit.ly/Fiverr-SoMeManager. Reach out to local businesses or use freelancing platforms to find clients.

2. Virtual event planner

In the age of remote work and virtual gatherings, virtual event planning is a booming industry. If you’re organized and detail-oriented, you can plan and coordinate virtual conferences, webinars, and workshops for clients from the comfort of your home.

How to Get Started:

Develop your event planning skills and network within your industry. Consider offering your services on event planning platforms or creating your website.

Event Planning Freelancer Marketplace：

People Per Hour

Freelancer

Guru

Upwork

3. Online language tutor

If you’re fluent in multiple languages, becoming an online language tutor can be a rewarding side hustle. You can teach students of all ages and backgrounds, helping them improve their language skills through virtual lessons.

How to Get Started:

Sign up on language tutoring platforms, create an engaging profile, and start connecting with potential students.

4. Personal shopper/stylist

Love fashion and have a great sense of style? Offer your services as a personal shopper or stylist. Help clients curate their wardrobes, choose outfits for special occasions, and even shop for them.

How to Get Started:

Build a portfolio showcasing your fashion sense. Reach out to friends, family, and local clients to kickstart your styling business.

5. Content creator for YouTube or TikTok

If you’re passionate about creating video content, platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer excellent opportunities. Create engaging videos on topics you love, and as your following grows, you can monetize your content through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

How to Get Started:

Choose your niche, create a content plan, and start posting regularly. Engage with your audience and collaborate with other creators to expand your reach.

6. Freelance writer or editor

If you have a way with words, freelance writing or editing might be your calling. Write articles, blog posts, or marketing materials for businesses or individuals. Editing services are in high demand too, ensuring that content is polished and error-free.

How to Get Started:

Build a portfolio with writing samples. Join freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find clients or pitch your services directly to businesses.

7. Pet-sitting or dog-walking services

Animal lovers can turn their passion into profit by offering pet-sitting or dog-walking services. Care for pets in your home or theirs while owners are away, or take dogs on daily walks to keep them happy and healthy.

How to Get Started: Create a pet-friendly environment and use platforms like Rover or Care.com to connect with pet owners.

8. Online course creator

If you have expertise in a particular subject, share your knowledge by creating online courses. Platforms like Udemy and Teachable make it easy to design and sell your courses to a global audience.

How to Get Started:

Identify your area of expertise, outline your course content, and set up your course on a platform of your choice.

9. Virtual bookkeeper or accountant

Financial skills are in high demand, and many businesses are looking for virtual bookkeepers or accountants to manage their finances remotely. If you have accounting knowledge, offer your services to businesses in need.

How to Get Started:

Obtain any necessary certifications and build a professional website to market your services.

10. Etsy or Amazon handmade seller

If you’re a craftsperson or artist, consider selling your creations on platforms like Etsy or Amazon Handmade. Turn your hobbies into a profitable venture by creating and selling unique handmade items.

How to Get Started:

Set up shop on your chosen platform, take high-quality photos of your products, and optimize your listings for search visibility.

Now that we’ve unlocked a treasure trove of side hustle ideas for 2023, it’s time to embark on this exciting journey. The world of side hustles is like a vast playground where your passions and skills can shine, and you can do it all without breaking the bank.

Remember, your side hustle isn’t just about making a quick buck; it’s about personal growth, pursuing your dreams, and finding fulfillment in what you do.

So, whether you’re a student, a stay-at-home parent, or anyone ready to embrace these opportunities, take the leap, and watch your side hustle thrive.

But hey, we’re not here to sugarcoat it – there’s some grown-up stuff to consider too. Taxes, insurance, and licenses might not be the sexiest topics, but they’re part of the game, so don’t forget to dive into that side of things.

So, here’s to your 2023 side hustle adventure! With a dash of creativity, a pinch of determination, and this arsenal of budget-friendly ideas, you’re set to make your mark. 💼💪🚀

[hoozukis]

it also shouldn’t be thrown into the void that even within the ollivander’s brand, there are many generations and individuals of ollivander wandmakers each with their own rules, methods, materials, designs, trademarks, and sheer variations of everything.

garrick ollivander proclaimed himself to have “revolutionised” wand-making when he limited himself to only 3 types of cores he deemed “most supreme”, while in his notes, he mentioned that his father, grandfather, and presumably also many previous ollivanders had been more lax with using whatever materials came their way. when garrick took over the family business, there’s every possibility that he kept selling all the old wands that were already there alongside his own creations, instead of throwing them all into the trash just because they don’t fit his personal image of what a “proper wand” should be. he doesn’t strike me as someone who would disrespect his ancestors’ hard work like that, although he probably does have a strict rule of only selling and recommending wands made by an ollivander, with the heaviest recommendations going to the wands he made himself.

point is: it’s perfectly reasonable to find wands of any wood and core imaginable in any ollivander’s shop, because past ollivanders did in fact exist and create many wands of any wood and core imaginable, which might not have all sold out before garrick’s succession.

for example: albus & aberforth dumbledore most likely would’ve gotten their wands around 1891–1893 during gervaise ollivander’s run of the wand shop, since garrick couldn’t have been born before albus & aberforth (the only hint we get of his age is: according to the movie fantastic beasts and where to find them, garrick was an established wandmaker by 1926). thus, anyone looking to headcanon albus, aberforth, percival, kendra, honoria, their ancestors, or even the hogwarts founders, should feel free to explore the vast world of woody plants & magical animals to their heart’s content and then choose literally whatever on earth they think best suit (their interpretations of) the characterisations of these mystical geriatrics of the past.

additionally, older resold wands (e.g. through lost-and-found, trades, theft and robbery, fraud, deals and bets, mages selling their used wands for whatever reason, deceased mages who wrote in their will to not bury their wands with them, antique and heirloom wands being worth a fortune and someone needing the money more than the sentiment, etc.) is a very realistic concept that canon sadly didn’t show us much of, but did somewhat hint at in the form of many characters snatching and looting others’ wands left and right in harry potter and the deathly hallows. wand resellers, used-wands marketplaces, and wand adverts in brochures and newspapers logically should exist in the hpverse.

the submitter here had a valid point to make, albeit a bit narrow-minded. it’s important to be consistent with the in-universe logics of your fictional works, of course, but the fact is, the wand business in the uk isn’t as simple and black-&-white as “ollivander vs non-ollivander”. if you’re creative enough, you’ll find leeways to make any idea work.

keep honing that creativity, folks! cheers! 🥂

i'd just like to note (for anyone who wants to use what you say for a fic or rp character or something) that the wand cores you're suggesting would only be found in non-ollivander wands, so a hogwarts student would probably need a story reason to have a wand like that.

No, I do suggest Ollivander wand cores sometimes - check through, I’ve already recommended each of the Ollivander three. Sometimes I recommend other ones though. If you want a wand for a Hogwarts RP, go through Pottermore, but if you want something which provides you with more options, I should be more than able to provide.

It’s also worth noting that in Britain alone there are wandmakers more than Ollivander, there’s Jimmy Kiddell who has a shop in Diagon Alley, and there’s a Wand Showroom in Diagon Alley too. What’s more the Hogsmeade branch of Ollivander’s offers woods not on Ollivander’s list - Reed for example - so it’s not a stretch to believe that whichever wix runs that shop might stock other cores - maybe they broke their wand at school and needed a new one immediately, or maybe they simply went to Kiddell’s instead of Ollivander’s, just as people might go to Twilfit & Tattings, rather than Madam Malkins.

[emikadreams]

The Lord and the Lady

A/N: IT'S HERE FOLKS!! I hope you enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think💕 once again I highly recommend listening to this(I killed the bitch) playlist while you read this fic. song recs are always welcome! Hope you enjoy this fic...

INCYMI:  PROLOGUE

Chapter 1: THE LADY HAS ARRIVED

The wolves were howling, for their lady had come home.

The sun was shining with renewed vigour, the cherry blossoms filled the air with their fragrance and the people rejoiced and welcomed Feyre with open arms. 

The high lady was revered and loved by her people and by the Mother herself, she was Feyre, Cauldron blessed after all, after three years of denying herself her land, her birthright, her power she found herself again and accepted every fibre of her being. She breathed in the smell of her home deep into her lungs and sighed in contentment.

She was safe-she was free.

She welcomed the sweet pleasure of liberation and smiled as her people roared her name from the moment she set foot in her court. She stood with her spine straight and head held high  as her bloody clothes stood in stark contrast to her serene court. With her tattered dress blowing in the wind she walked into her home, a throng of people had gathered behind her. They followed their high lady, with unrestrained happiness. She passed merry children, stunned citizens, and busy marketplaces before walking into the garden where she came into her power. 

In the heart of her court, her throne was placed on a raised podium,and her people had lovingly painted it with a myriad of colours when she was crowned as the  High lady. The swirls of colour depicted her artistic soul and her childlike wonder that she thought was long gone. She skillfully conjured up stairs of darkness and stood at the bottom of the podium and said with a voice that resonated through the bones of every being in her court ,

 “ I’m home.” 

She outstretched her hands and her dirty, torn clothes transformed into her training leathers and a mantle adorned her shoulders. Her hair was left unbound and cascaded down to her waist.The blood, dust and grime disappeared from her body and she smiled without restraint, her happiness made the sun glow brighter, the flowers continued to blossom over the horizon, wolves howled in pride, and a chorus of  thunderous applause followed. Her general, Nesta Archeron, walked up to her with a crown in hand. Nesta held her hand before whispering, “Welcome home Fey.” Feyre could see Nesta was trying not to cry, she swallowed a lump in her throat and  nodded, her eyes conveying everything she felt when words continued to fail her. Nesta’s eyes softened and she hugged her sister tightly.

Her spymaster, Elain Archeron floated up to them and joined the hug, “We missed you, Fey. We were beyond miserable without you.” Even though Elain’s voice was muffled, Feyre heard her loud and clear. They pulled out of the hug and Feyre saw tears lining Elain’s eyes but she blinked them back and smiled. 

The Archeron sisters were whole yet again.  

The three sisters stood close, their hands linked together with Feyre in the center. The sisters flanked her on either side, forming a formidable wall of power. They were a force to be reckoned with and the world now knew that the Archerons were not be messed with. The sisters were hesitant to let go of each other but they knew what had to be done first. Nesta placed the crown on Feyre’s head and every inch of her sighed with relief at the rightness of it, Elain placed the sword of Astraeus in her hands and nodded towards Feyre.

Feyre held the sword and ascended the stairs towards her throne. Once she reached the top she placed the sword on the engraved slot along the spine of the throne, instantly illuminating it. Gasps of awe and surprise erupted from the court which only increased in tempo as vines of light and darkness snaked down the throne. The garden was at once filled with stars and mist that emanated from deep within her, she sat on her throne and Nesta, shouted on top of her lungs, 

 “Long live, High Lady Feyre Archeron.”  her voice was laced with pride,

Her people echoed the sentiment and bowed.

 Feyre smiled and rested her hands on her throne, relishing in the feel of it. Every part of the court was hers, she had betrayed, manipulated, bled and killed, for this throne. She owned every inch of it and she reveled in the knowledge. 

She scraped a nail along the inscriptions etched on the hand-rest as the mist behind her throne took the shape of large wolves that placed themselves on either side of her. They bowed their heads, welcoming her back into the pack and resumed their role as the protectors of the High Lady. The chorus of her name continued and she let them rejoice, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. After she decided that she had received  enough attention to last a life time, she walked down the stairs and stood amongst her people, cleared her throat and the garden fell silent, her people turned attentive, “So, what have I missed.” 

The garden erupted into chaos and thus began the court’s one week revel, Solely for praising the High Lady of the Dusk court and filling her in on what had happened while she was away. 

                                                             ~

A week went by and Feyre had the eerie sense that trouble would be finding her soon. She walked the halls of her estate like a ghost and carried on with her duties but she couldn’t shake the feeling that her picture perfect world would come crumbling down any moment. Later that evening as she was holding court with her sisters and her emissary, her suspicions were proven correct and her life was upturned yet again.

“Why wasn’t I aware of the fact that our borders were infiltrated!” Feyre snarled in anger at Pari, the emissary to her court who had let this crucial detail slip from her tongue. She looked around the room nervously, earning a glare from Nesta and sigh from Elain. Pari stood rooted to the spot with fear as Feyre shook with barely restrained anger.

Feyre was furious, her grip on her power slackened, the chandeliers started shaking and the mountains trembled in the distance.

“Feyre,” Nesta said cautiously , “You were preoccupied,” Nesta raised an eyebrow and shrugged nonchalantly, besides we handled it.”

“That doesn’t give you free rein to keep me in the dark about the comings and goings of my court!” Feyre snapped. She started pacing the length of her room, while the room fell silent. Nesta turned her attention back to polishing her knives and Elain returned to reading her reports, both content on letting their sister sort her thoughts out. Seeing that the spotlight was no longer on her, Pari took this as an opportunity to all but run out of the room. The gears in Feyre’s mind were turning, multiple plans already taking root. She paused in her furious pacing as an idea took shape.

“How did they get past our shields?” she asked  Elain.

“Apparently, they found a weak spot.” she replied from her spot on Feyre's bed without raising her head from her reports.

“That’s not possible.” Feyre whispered to herself but her thoughts were interrupted when Nesta cleared her throat, dragging her attention towards her eldest sister.

“ I have an idea that can help us fully understand how our borders were breached but you won’t like it,” Nesta grinned. Feyre rolled her eyes and sketched a bow,” Humor me.”

Nesta’s grin grew wider, “ It requires talking to a certain violet-eyed High Lord.”

Feyre paled at the mention of the High Lord of Night, she started shaking her head, “No way. No fucking way!”

Elain sighed in exasperation and Nesta grinned at her sisters, “Time to meet the almighty Lord of Night, dear sisters.”

Feyre groaned in frustration,“Well, Fuck me!”

“I’d be happy too but maybe later, darling” a smooth voice cut her off. The Lord of the Night and his entourage sauntered into her bedroom and bowed while Rhysand stared her down.

Nesta brushed mental claws against the adamant shield to Feyre’s mind, she opened a sliver and let her in, Feyre’s exhaustion, anger and surprise enveloped Nesta like smoke as she spoke to Feyre in her mind “ We had to speak with him so we arranged a meeting a week ago when we finally got word that you would be coming home, so, surprise?” 

Feyre wished for a hole to open in the ground and swallow her whole as she straightened her spine and lifted her chin and regarded the infamous High Lord.

The two stared at each other as if they were the only two souls in the galaxy, stars winked to life in Rhysand’s eyes and Feyre felt a shiver of excitement snake down her spine. 

“This is not going to end well.” Elain mumbled and Nesta hummed in agreement and got up to leave but Feyre glared at both of her sisters rooting them to their spots. She tilted her head as if to say that they got her into this mess, so they were going to burn with her. They sighed but drifted to her side, her General stood to her left while her  spymaster was to her right. Rhysand’s entourage grinned toothily and Feyre’s sisters snarled in defiance.

Everyone in the room sucked in a breath as the High Lady of Dusk and the High Lord of Night spoke.

“Rhysand”

“Feyre darling.”

“Oh mother have mercy,” Feyre thought to herself as two of the most powerful faes in Prythian regarded each other with apprehension.

Taglist: lemme know if you want to be tagged💕

 @story-scribbler​ @thebonecarver​  @surielandiareendgame @feysand-loml  @flyingtortillasworldsblog @feysandandnyxsworld @ratabrasileira @wintersouldier57 @tanvee1231 @kayla-2​ ​ @evolving-dreamer​ ​

*bolded tags don't work

[peach-the-owl]

Exu crew and an artificer kid? The crew enters the kids home town and they don't seem that happy about it but doesn't say anything, everyone goes different ways to shop/explore/etc and while everyone goes their own ways the kids old bullies pull them into an alleyway and just bully them breaking anything kid made/name calling/pulling hair just being unbelievable mean. The bullies all freeze, then kid looks over their shoulders and sees the whole group behind them looking intimidating, the bullies run away while the other ask what's going on and try to comfort their child.

Wow this was longer then I expected SORRY!! I hope you have a wonderful day ❤️

There’s no need to be sorry for an idea 😁 I hope this turned out good

(Second piece to deal with a bullying theme, dang)

Fine Craftsmanship

ExU Crew & Child!Artificer!Reader

The trip to Byroden was a longer one then you first thought, having to make a few pit stops to rest and restock on food, but it did have its perks, giving you time to work on some projects while on the road. They weren’t anything huge, you wanted to surprise everyone in the group with a personally crafted item, everything was fine at first until you recognized the town you were currently approaching.

"Are you alright (y/n)? You seem a bit jumpy." Dorian comments, having noticed your fidgeting hands. You take a quick second to calm yourself before replying.

"I’m fine, this is actually my hometown. I haven’t seen it in awhile, you know." He gives you a small nod and gets himself a better look out the window.

"If you’re from here that means you know where all the good stops are right?" Dariax asks excitedly.

"I’m still a kid, I wouldn’t know what’s 'good' in your opinion." You stare blankly, it was a bit strange sometimes to be one of the smartest people in the group.

"Right, right. No drinking for you." Dariax says, as if he already knew all this. You playfully roll your eyes at him and smile a little, maybe this wouldn’t so bad after all, so long as you stayed close to everyone. You enter the town and find a good place to park the Glitter-Shitter (I can’t even write the word with a straight face) before making your way into the marketplace and instantly Opal is off browsing the different shops and stalls of the market, dragging Fearne along with her and Fy'ra Rai trailing behind them, telling everyone to meetup in an hour. Dorian heads over to the tavern hoping to sweet talk the folk there for some food for the road, Dariax tagging along most likely to grab some drinks and test his luck with some gambling. Orym had disappeared from your sight entirely, heading off to do his own thing if you had to take a guess. You sigh unsure of where to go, now just hoping things go by quickly and without trouble as you sit by the wagon pull out some tools and continue to tinker away at a small gift you were making for Fearne for a while, placing your mind into a false sense of security.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to come home." You hear a chillingly familiar voice spite at you and look over at the three people you were hoping not to see. There was Marty, Hamna, and their self proclaimed leader Fion (I just made up some names here, idk), they used to terrorize you relentlessly until you’d finally had enough and snuck on that cart to Emon, which lead to the adventure you were on now, a story come full circle in the worst way to you. You get up quickly hoping to dash over to where Opal and Fearne where looking at some sparkling necklaces for protection, you don’t move quick enough as you’re yanked back by your hair by either Marty or Hamna as Fion covers your mouth to avoid you shouting for help. Once pulled into a nearby alleyway, away from public view, Marty and Hamna each restrain one of your arms. You thrash and struggle to try and free yourself, managing to loosen their grip slightly only to get socked in the jaw by Fion giving the other two the chance to readjust their grip into a more secure position, trapping you.

"Let go! Leave me alone!" You shout as you continue to squirm to try and free yourself.

"Awww, and what are you going to do if we don’t?" Marty teases. You wanted to cast something to no avail with their tight grip preventing you of freeing yourself and grabbing your tools.

"Look at them," Hamna laughs, "they’re too weak to even break free." You glare at them. Fion walks over to you and starts rummaging around your bag, mindlessly throwing around the various items you’ve worked on for a long time to make.

"What’s this supposed to be?" They ask, holding up a hair clip you had intended to give to Opal.

"That’s for my friend! Put it back!" You shout a little too loud for their liking and the two holding your arms use their free hands to cover your mouth, muffling your words or cry’s for help. The one holding the hair clip looks it over in their hand before looking you in the eyes and snapping the item in half.

"Oops, sorry. My hand slipped." Their voice dripped with sarcasm. They continue to rummage through your bag, or look through the small pile of items they threw out of it, pulling out items you wanted to give to everyone as gifts. Every time they’d inspect one item, they'd just as quickly break it, smashing it on the ground or snapping it in their hands. You struggled and tugged against the two still holding you back and muffling out your voice, but it was no use, you were restrained, unable to call for help and left to helplessly watch as they destroyed your hard work. As if things couldn’t get worse, they pull out your tools, the literal lifeblood for your magic, look you straight in your eyes and while struggling a bit manage to break them too.

"Awww, they’re crying like a baby." Hamna laughs.

"That’s because they are a baby." Marty continues.

"If you really want to cry like a baby, we’ll give a reason to cry." Fion eggs on, getting the other two to harshly shove you to the ground. You curl into a ball preparing for the worst, you wait a moment and when nothing happens you peek up to see the three of them frozen in place with fear in their eyes. You adjust yourself to have a look over your shoulder and see everyone standing with intimidating looks on their faces.

Dorian stared daggers at the bullies, while also subtly fiddling with his handaxe. Opal twirled her knives in her hands, magic sparking at her fingertips, and if you looked closely enough you could see a faint glow emit from her necklace. Fearne stood tall, her snake staff coming to life and hissing at the three, Mister well perched on her shoulder screeches, purposely showing the fiery interior of his mouth. Orym takes a step in front of you, acting as a shield for you while placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, you knew well enough he wouldn’t actually draw his sword on the other kids, but they didn’t know that. Dariax on the other hand looked very ready to strike at the three, holding a tight grip on his spear.

"Are you hurt bad?" Orym asks quietly, looking over to you. You shake your head giving an equally quiet "no".

"I’m not a fan of people hurting my little friend here." You hear Dariax say, now fulling pointing his spear at the others, the three each take step back. You finch at the feeling of being suddenly lifted off the ground, finding yourself in Dorian's arms, he gives you a concerned but reassuring smile.

"Let’s get out of here!" Fion commands and the three turn to leave but are stopped when Fy'ra Rai blocks their exit, her eyes burning into them with fury.

"You’re unjust actions should not be left unpunished. You dare to put down this child as if they are weak, when it is you three that are the weaklings. Knowing you would never stand a chance alone you group together and single out the ones you see as vulnerable. It is sad and pathetic, now leave while we still show you mercy." Her voice held such a powerful tone to it, it almost felt like the ground itself shook at her words. Fion, Marty and Hamna scramble over each other before running off, one of them crying for their mommy.

"Who where those children? Do you know?" Dorian asks. You let out a long sigh and explain to everyone a bit about your life when you still lived in the town.

"What’s all this stuff here?" Opal speaks up, staring at the broken pile of items.

"I wanted to surprise you all with some gifts I made, but now their all broken." You sigh sadly.

"You made theses for us?"

"I tried to, I know they aren’t that good but you’ve all been so nice and carding to me, I wanted to retune the favour."

"That’s really sweet of you." Fearne smiles, giving you a pat on the head, you smile a little at this.

"Why don’t you just fix them? I’ve seen ya do stuff like that before." Dariax butts in.

"I would, but they broke my tools too." You pout.

"Well that’s easy, we'll just buy you some new tools." Dorian states, shuffling you in his grip a bit to have a better hold on you. You look up at him with big hopeful eyes.

"Really? I don’t want to bother you."

"It’s no bother at all, your our little genius, the last thing we’d want are some small town jerks preventing you from ever thinking that." He proudly proclaims, getting affirmation from the others. Fy'ra Rai walks over and gently lifts your chin up to look at her.

"Listen to me little one, you are much stronger then you'd ever believe, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise." You give her a small nod, not entirely sure what she means but finding her words encouraging nonetheless.

"You know what? I do remember seeing these really awesome looking tools, while searching for a cloths shop. Here I’ll show you." Opal brightens up a bit, grabbing and dragging Dorian and by extension you off into the market again.

"Opal!" Dorian calls in surprise, holding tighter to you so you wouldn’t fall. You just giggle at the two, looking over your shoulder to see the others hurrying to catch up.

[livingcorner]

12+ Ways to Make $1000 a Month from Your Garden (Year Round!)

They say when you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.  Well, I love my garden and given a choice I’d be out there amongst my garden beds day and night.  There’s a big difference between gardening and farming though, and while I love my garden I’m not cut out for the life of a farmer. 

While bringing in a full-time gardening income is a bit tricky, making a side income from your garden is easier than you’d think.

You're reading: 12+ Ways to Make $1000 a Month from Your Garden (Year Round!)

Most people see gardening as a seasonal endeavor, that starts in the spring and ends in the fall, coming and going each year.  Up here in Vermont, our summer growing season is only a sad 100 days or so, and if I confined my efforts to those short months it wouldn’t make for much of a side hustle.  I think it’s important to find a way to earn a consistent side income, so I’m providing options for every month of the year (even in a cold climate like ours).

Beyond that, our land is mostly forested, which means the definition of “garden” is a bit loose.  We grow mushrooms in the shady spots and tap maple trees in season.  We also forage the wild bounty that nature’s garden has provided, meaning that we don’t have to limit our “gardening” to a small tilled section of the yard. 

Even if you’re lacking space in a small suburban lot, expanding outside of the traditional garden into local parks, or taking your garden indoors with salad sprouts, closet mushrooms, and seedling trays will allow you to make use of the space you have year-round.

Here are a few options to earn a substantial side income from your garden every season of the year, with ideas for both city and country folk. 

(Be sure to check local laws and restrictions before you start with anything, as those vary widely from place to place.)

Winter Garden Income

While you’d think winter would be the slow season for backyard garden income, believe it or not, it’s actually the best time for making money from your garden.  You’re generally less busy with planting and weeding, but everyone is stuck inside dreaming of the garden bounty to come.  

Indoor Salad Gardening

January is when everyone’s making new years resolutions to live healthier and eat more salads, but it’s a pretty rough time for gardening in most places.  If right around the end of the year you plan ahead with an indoor salad gardening setup, you’ll be in the perfect position to market microgreens and sprouts when they’re in high demand.

Local farms around here sell winter micro greens CSA’s and unlike summer shares where they net less than a dollar on a head of lettuce, winter greens command high prices.  A small bag of specialty microgreens runs $12 to 15 each.  And I really mean a small bag, maybe 3 cups of at most.

The trick is to grow high-quality, specialty greens that get people excited when the grocery store options are minimal.  The book Year Round Indoor Salad Gardening is a great resource to get started, and covers all you’d need to know to grow your own greens.  At that point, the problem is scaling up and marketing.  

Start a Small Backyard Seed Company

You may think you need to be some kind of multi-national to sell seeds, but in reality, customers are looking toward sustainably grown seed for specialty heirloom varieties these days.  It doesn’t get much more sustainable than a backyard garden, and buying seed locally ensures that you’ll get varieties perfectly suited to a particular growing region.

Choosing the right crops is key to generating a good income selling seeds.  Tomato seed, for example, is very easy to save and a single tomato often has enough seed to supply a dozen seed packets.  The flowers are self-contained, and it actually takes work for plant breeders to hybridize a variety, which means they’ll come true to variety even with many different types grown in the same garden. 

Most importantly, people get really excited about tomatoes.  Ever wonder why 1/3 of any seed catalog seems to be tomato seed?  With all that love for tomatoes, customers are liable to drop $5 for a locally grown packet of seeds for a really great variety.

While tomatoes are really easy, there are many varieties that aren’t much harder.  You need to know a bit about seed saving, not only harvesting and cleaning the seed, but about how pollination and selection works by variety.  Some varieties require a minimum population size to avoid inbreeding in the long term, and all that’s important to know before you get started. 

Seed to Seed is generally recognized as the most encyclopedic book on seed saving, covering just about every variety you can imagine.  It has great breadth to get you started, but not a whole lot of depth.

The Seed Garden is hands down my favorite seed saving book.  It’s well written and covers varieties in great depth.  It’s authored by The Seed Savers Exchange which does great work in the field of preserving heirloom varieties.

The Complete Guide to Seed Saving has a lot of stellar reviews, and it’s the next one I’m going to add to my gardening library.

Even in a small town environment here in Rural Vermont, there are about a dozen local seed companies.  High Mowing Seed started out really small just down the road from us, and now they’re a big national brand.  Milkweed Medicinals sells specialty seed that’s hard to find, and they now sell in all the local coops. 

Find your niche and there’s a great income to be made with homegrown seed.

Selling Cuttings

Even easier than saving seed, selling cuttings is an easy way to make a healthy income from your established plants in the winter months.  There are a number of varieties, like grapes for example, that need to be cut back or pruned in the winter.  Those cuttings are perfect for starting new plants and many gardeners are willing to pay good money for tiny pieces of your established crops.

I just bought 30 elderberry cuttings from Norms Farms at $4 each to propagate at home.  Elderberries grow readily from cuttings, and it’s an economical way for me to get a huge bed of them started.  Elderberry plants from a nursery cost about $30 each, so I’m happy with the transaction and the seller just made $120 off a tiny box of trimmings.

There are a number of plants that grow well from hardwood cuttings, some like black currants, are as simple as snipping off a tip and sticking it into the ground.  Others require a bit more attention and prep work to the cuttings, but they’re still beginner level.

Scion wood, or cuttings from apple trees to be grafted onto rootstock, is similarly lucrative.  All you need is a couple of established apple trees of known varieties and you can harvest cuttings for sale. 

Usually, each cutting is only a few inches long, so shipping them isn’t a big issue.  There’s a marketplace on the seed savers exchange website, and a scion wood cutting sells for about $4 each.

Start by learning a thing or two about plant propagation, first so that you can establish your own cutting beds, and then so you can educate customers on how easy it is to grow plants from cuttings.  Try reading Practical Woody Plant Propagation for Nursery Growers to get you started.

Read more: Why Does My Garden Hose Keep Bursting? | GardenAxis.com

A handful of elderberry cuttings that sell for $4 each.

Growing Mushrooms Indoors

Learning to grow mushrooms is a bit different than most standard garden crops, so this one will take some studying for even seasoned gardeners.  Still, there’s the potential to grow large crops from a small indoor space year-round.

The book Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation describes in detail how to set up a back closet, extra nook or spare bathroom to grow mushrooms with minimal time investment (2 hours a week). 

He has a great breakdown of costs, inputs, and yields…but in summary, you can make about $100 per week from a small setup that takes up a 4’x4′ footprint.  The system scales easily, with minimal extra time investment, meaning you only need slightly more space to increase that to a grand per month.

The best part, they can grow in recycled 5-gallon buckets picked up from restaurants, and they consume waste products like spent coffee grounds, that you can often pick up for free.

If you have access to outdoor space and hardwood logs, growing shiitake mushrooms is also a great place to start for beginners, but outdoors, harvests would be in the warmer months rather than winter.

I don’t know about you, but when I had an office job my co-workers would have loved to buy fresh mushrooms to take home for a fancy Friday night meal.

  Spring Garden Income

Spring is when everyone’s mind is dead set on their own gardens, and it’s a great time to capitalize on the surge in interest in all things green.

Selling Dandelions (and other wild weeds)

While countless suburbanites are spraying their lawns trying to eradicate the dandelions, more savvy gardeners are realizing that one person’s weed is another’s delicacy.  Dandelions are edible root to shoot, and better yet, they’re also highly medicinal. 

Dandelion root tincture sells for about $12 per ounce, and it only takes a root or two per ounce.  The spring greens are highly sought after by local food coops, where they sell for $4-5 per bundle.  Not bad for a pile of weeds.

Beyond dandelions, there’s all manner of early spring green “weeds” that can command high prices if you know how to identify, harvest and process them.  Chickweed is incredibly invasive, but also delicious, and chickweed tincture has plenty of medicinal uses too.  

There’s nothing like making a bit of side income from weeding your garden early in the spring.  You’ve got to do it anyway, might as well make it pay.

Dandelion roots harvested for homemade tincture.

Growing Spring Ephemerals

An ephemeral is a crop that has a very short season, and it may only be around for a few weeks before the plants go dormant (or unharvestable) for a full year.  Ramps, or wild leeks, are a slow-growing ephemeral that’s only around for a few weeks in the spring, but during that time they’re in high demand by both home cooks and fancy chefs.  Knowing where to find a good wild patch is hard, but they’re actually remarkably easy to naturalize in your own backyard.

Growing ramps from seeds just requires the right conditions.  Moist soil, under the shade of deciduous trees.  The more leaf cover the better. 

You’re not growing anything else in that much shade, so growing your own ramps is a great way to earn top dollar from an otherwise unproductive patch of land.  This is a long-term venture though, as leeks are slow-growing, and they’ll require about 5-7 years before your first harvest, but after that, a well-tended and sustainably harvested patch can last indefinitely.

Fiddleheads are another crop that’s generally wild foraged, but it’s remarkably easy to cultivate.  They can actually be pretty invasive, and I spent a long time weeding them out of my garden so I could grow anything else.  I just dug them up and tossed them into a heap, and they kept on growing and spreading from there as if nothing happened. 

Fiddleheads can be really productive, and they sell for about $20 a pound here in Vermont where they’re common.  You might get even better prices somewhere they’re more scarce.

Since they’re productive, fern heads can be pickled to extend their season, so you can market the bumper crop a bit longer.

My daughter holding a harvest of fiddleheads and ramps.

Selling Spring Seedlings

Selling spring veggie seedlings is an obvious choice.  Tomato seeds cost about a tenth of a cent each, but a healthy started plant can easily sell for $5.  Sure, there’s the cost for potting soil and pots, but the profit margin is still huge on seedling sales. 

The trick is, you’re investing your time and energy into starting plants off right, so others don’t have to.  This is one of the most lucrative ways to make money from your garden if you invest in the right equipment and can master the process. 

A greenhouse, even a small backyard model, is essential for producing seedlings early enough in the season.  As for resources to get you started, The New Seed Starter’s Handbook covers everything in detail, including troubleshooting guides if your plants aren’t performing.

Beyond the income from selling seedlings, you’ll also save a boatload by starting your own seeds instead of purchasing starts.  That’s one of those penny saved is a penny earned propositions, and any seedlings you don’t sell can just go right into your own garden.

Take a look at the local market this spring, and see if there are any gaps.  Do all the tomato seedlings sell out quickly, or is the market flooded?  If there’s plenty of other vendors, consider growing something niche like medicinal herbs.

Start a Backyard Nursery

Similar to growing out your own veggie seedlings, starting your own backyard nursery extends the income beyond the busy spring season.  If you’re growing perennials, you don’t have to worry about any unsold plants at the end of the year.  Just tuck them in for the winter and try to sell them next year.

Propagating plants from cuttings is remarkably easy, and all it takes is a bit of time and patience.  Those elderberry cuttings that sold for $4 each (above) as trimmings will sell for $25 to $30 as full-sized potted bushes in a few years.  Just the patience, time and space required to grow out the plants pays back in dividends later. 

This is actually a big part of our retirement plan, and we’re putting in perennials throughout our land to serve as cutting sources later when we open our nursery.  In the meantime, they’re beautiful, and most are edibles like elderberries, so we’re harvesting the fruit for our table while we patiently bide our time to retirement.

Backyard plant nurseries don’t require that much space, as potted plants can be stored fairly close together.

Summer Garden Income

Summer is peak growing season and it’s a great time to earn income from what you’re growing at home.  The big farms and CSA operations have the lettuce market cornered, but backyard gardeners can break into the market by offering really novel crops.  Start by focusing on high-dollar items and unique crops that get people’s attention.

High Dollar Specialty Crops

You’re never going to compete with the 100 acre organic CSA down the road on most generic crops, but those big operations cant grow everything.  They can grow a lot of the staples most families use every day, but backyard gardeners can grow small amounts of truly specialty crops that demand high prices.  Here are a few good options:

Husk Cherries – Also known as ground cherries, these plants produce huge crops of sweet pineapple/strawberry flavored fruit.  They grow on plants similar to tomatoes, and each bright orange fruit is wrapped in a papery husk.  Just one taste and you’ll want more. 

Before we were growing our own, I’d buy them for $5 a pint…now I know that each plant can produce more than a gallon of fruit even with neglect.  If you hand out samples, these will sell themselves.  It also helps if you give people creative ways to use them.

Cucamelons – Also known as mouse melons, these tiny little grape-sized cucumbers taste like a cross between a cucumber and lime.  They’re really wonderful fresh out of hand, and they make great pickles or mixed drinks.  The cuteness factor means that these sell for about $5 per half-pint.

Berry Pick Your Own

To complement our backyard nursery retirement plans, we’re also planning a pick your own operation.  This requires more space than most of the other ideas on this list, but after the initial setup, labor is pretty minimal. 

A while back I calculated the rate of return on a raspberry pick your own, and you’d need about 250-row feet to produce $1000 worth of raspberries.  For us on 30 acres, that’s a drop in the bucket, but that may be more space than you can devote to any one crop.

Strawberries are similar, in that a plant generally yields about a pound of fruit in a season, and requires 1-row foot.  At $4 per pound, you’d need the same amount of row feet as raspberries.  The benefit there is, strawberry rows are much more closely spaced so this may be more practical for some.

  Read more: 37 Garden Border Ideas To Dress Up Your Landscape Edging

Garden Tours, Tea Times & Classes

Though it’s not my cup of tea, garden tours and country tea times are a good option for flower gardeners.  A local nurseryman around here makes a good side income hosting tea time in his home garden, and runs an annual tour of his extensive plantings, along with specialty days for big blooms (like daffodils).  Our gardens are more down-to-earth and “homestead” than they are attractive, but many people’s are just the opposite.

All it takes is a few tables, a decent scone recipe, and a few good teapots, and you’re ready to run a weekly afternoon tea time in the garden.  Add in tours and maybe a few gardening classes and you’ve got yourself a ready source of income from your own beautiful backyard.

Medicinal Herbs

With the increasing demand for more alternative remedies, there’s never been a better time to grow medicine in your backyard.  Locally grown herbs are still hard to find in most areas, but plenty of people are looking for them.

Many medicinal herbs are perennials, which means you plant them once and you can harvest them for years.  And the same compounds that make the plants medicinal also make them resistant to deer and insects, which means less maintenance than garden veggies.  For the most part, they’re perennial, persistent and more importantly…profitable.

There’s a high demand for medicinal tinctures since they’re ready to use, and our local coop has half an aisle dedicated to them.  Tinctures sell for $8 to $12 an ounce, but they only cost about $1 to $2 an ounce, even if you’re buying in the herbs rather than growing them. 

Add in another $1 for the tincture bottle, and you’re still making a pretty sizable profit per bottle.  Choosing crops that are common and in high demand, like echinacea tincture can help you break into the market.

As you’re just getting started, I’d recommend Backyard Medicine as a way to dip your toe into harvesting and making your own herbal remedies, especially from wild crops.  If you’re considering growing herbs for profit I’d highly recommend The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer: The Ultimate Guide to Producing High-Quality Herbs on a Market Scale.  It’s written by farmers that grow just a few towns over from us, and they’ve inspired a lot of people to take up growing medicine for the market.

The Herbal Academy of New England also has a course designed specifically for herbal entrepreneurs.  The course walks you through the basics of creating your own brand identity, marketing, sourcing herbal ingredients, manufacturing herbal remedies and creating a business plan around herbs and herbal remedies.

Fall Garden Income

The end of the garden season, fall is generally when the crops come in.  In my mind though, it’s one of the more challenging times to make income as a small producer. 

There are a lot of products on the market,  and it’s hard to stand out.  With the holidays right around the corner though, marketing yourself as a niche producer of really unique homegrown gifts can work to your advantage.

Honey & Bee Products

Gardeners need bees and bees need gardeners!  Raising honey bees is a great way to support pollinator communities, but with all the challenges that face hives these days, it’s best to be educated before you start.  There’s a really great book called Natural Beekeeping: Organic Approaches to Modern Apiculture that covers just about everything you need to know to keep your bees healthy naturally.

In a good year, with our short Vermont growing seasons, bees can produce as much as 100lbs of honey for harvest.  The current bulk price at our coop, meaning bring your own container nothing fancy…is $7 per pound.  Pre-packaged just in mason jars, honey goes for $10-12 per pound, and considerably more in specialty gift packaging.

Add in things like bee pollen or propolis for medicinal use, or comb honey, and you have yet more high-dollar items to market.

Honey, especially locally sustainably raised honey is in high demand just about everywhere.  People are realizing that bees are important to our environment, and many will be happy to pay for local honey just knowing that it means supporting someone who is stewarding such an important resource in their neighborhood.

Apples, Cider and Cider Press Rentals

My doctor has a small apple share side hustle that she runs with her sister, selling harvest shares to neighbors in her spare time.  They have a few full-sized apple trees, and each one produces around 100 to 120 pounds of apples per year.  These days, conventionally grown supermarket apples are about $3 per pound…and locally grown apples fetch a premium above that.

She sells shares ahead of time and then divides the harvest as each tree comes to bear.  Distributing them to shareholders every week or two as each variety ripens over the season.

We have other neighbors who sell fresh cider that they press from their trees, at $12 per gallon.  Last year we pressed nearly 80 gallons from our trees, most of which went into hard cider and homemade cider syrup (like maple syrup), but we easily could have sold it instead.  Instead of selling our cider, we have a different strategy for earning our income during apple season. 

We invested in an efficient double-barrel cider press, with the thought that we can rent it out to other small apple producers.  People with one or two trees in their backyard love the novelty of pressing their own cider, and around these parts a press rents for about $50 for the afternoon.  Over the course of the season that can really add up…

Year-Round Garden Income

Beyond different things you can do seasonally to earn a few thousand a couple of months a year, there are things you can do year-round to earn a steady income related to your garden.  

Garden Blogging

I know, making income from blogging seems too good to be true, but writing about diy, gardening, and self-sufficiency is now my full-time job. Within 6 months of starting this blog, I started making an extra $1000 a month.  After 9 months of writing, I was able to quit my day job, and now at 18 months in I bring in more each month than any job I’ve ever had.

The best part?  All I do is write about what we’re already doing here in our daily lives, and I spend my days playing in the garden and out foraging in the woods with my kids.

I was inspired to take the leap into blogging when I read the book Make Money Blogging at Any Level by my blogger friend, Victoria at A Modern Homestead.  She outlines in detail how to earn a substantial income, even from a very small blog.  

She was able to retire her husband and supports her family exclusively with her blog.  If you’re considering blogging as a source of income it’s worth the investment.  It’s $27 for the book, and I made that back in my first week with my blog following her tips.

She also has a much more comprehensive blogging e-course that takes you through everything you need to know to launch your own profitable blog.  It’s a bit more of an investment, but it’s the perfect way for a beginner to learn everything they need to know to launch their blog fast and start earning money.

Garden Micro-Influencer

Making money on Instagram is all the rage these days, and you’d be surprised how many companies are willing to send you free products just for a promise that you’ll post at least 1 picture of it to Instagram with honest feedback.  Once you have even a small following, companies will pay you for your time reviewing it (and you still get to keep it for free…)

Looking for a little inspiration?  You can always follow along on my Instagram for ideas…

Hopefully, this helps inspire you to turn your gardening passion into a meaningful side hustle.  If you have any other ideas, let me know in the comments below.

More Income Inspiration

How to Make a Full-Time Income Off-Grid

8 Ways to Make an Extra $1000 a Month on a Small Homestead

Making Money with Small Scale Maple Sugaring

Related

Source: https://livingcorner.com.au Category: Garden

source https://livingcorner.com.au/12-ways-to-make-1000-a-month-from-your-garden-year-round/

[heymistercory]

7 Tips To Obtain New Inventors Believing Like Effective Developers

Specifically, as a more recent financier, try to keep in mind that slow and stable success this race. Don't rush anything; your perseverance will certainly pay off as long as you are careful.

Investing in each action of the invention procedure reciprocates in both the short term (your first patent, and so on) and the longer-term (an understanding of exactly how this process is repeatable). Also find out InventHelp Crunchbase

1: Do Not Tell The World Concerning Your Invention Suggestion...

I received an e-mail lately that appeared like it was from Wal-Mart. Become a fraudster seeking to turn me into a target.

In 2015, my bank card was reported as utilized in Florida when I remained in New York City-- for $4,000.

There was even a Vice President at one of my old businesses who took my idea for an analytics reporting system and also shared it with the entire company as his very own.

What's the point of these tales?

The world has lots of people seeking a shortcut or an easy way to get rich.

They are probably heartless contrasted to you; predators.

Don't let somebody take advantage of your idea-- who recognizes, it could be a million (or billion) buck idea!

The last point you desire is to see it on the shelf understanding it was your brainchild, however, you do not obtain a cent in royalties for it. So try to keep your suggestion under covers, specifically in the early stages of the invention process.

2: Study The Need For Your Item Idea.

Eventually or one more, we've all had great concepts ... or so we thought.

In 3rd grade, I would have vouched that a double-sided toothbrush was going to save the globe about 25 seconds of their morning.

That was till I damaged a toothbrush as well as glued the head to the back of an additional full toothbrush. When I stuck it in my mouth I understood that I was mostly brushing (or stabbing) the inside of my cheeks.

I handed down that, thanks - It was better to enjoy the various other children explode volcanoes full of food coloring at the scientific research fair.

I was lucky though.

The study it took me to understand my intention was not possible was just about 10 minutes.

The truth is, if you want your invention idea to appear, you'll need to spend time and also resources in investigating the concept to identify if there is a market for your product.

Here are just a few of the concerns you'll wish to respond to when you're starting.

What problem does my item resolve?

Has this issue been addressed before (or tried)?

Just how will my item be made use of?

Will my product sell? (Exists industrial stability?).

To whom? (Target audience?).

Is it like anything else in the marketplace? (Elaborate on this, certainly - what fads are taking place in the market? Just how jampacked is it? Are people spending essentially on products I might take on? What're the social networks buzz around my specific niche?).

What marketing difficulties might I encounter?

A lot of innovators avoid this action as well as I completely comprehend why they do.

Two factors.

It can be lengthy.

It can seem (or be) costly.

I get it. You're delighted concerning your product so you feel like the world will certainly be delighted - certainly, there is a requirement, you're fixing a problem!

All that time and all that money invested in research study as well as answering concerns will only confirm what you already know, best?

Not always.

The successful ones are the ones that do their research.

Those who fail to spend ahead of time are supplying the typical death penalty to their invention. As a financier, you require to comprehend if the market demands your service You can also check https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64627233

3: Record WHATEVER.

From the minute that suggestion precipitates, it's paramount to monitor every facet of the concept.

No matter if your concept changes a hundred times over, you always want to be the proprietor, the owner, of every idea that went into the invention as well as ultimately became the product.

So, specifically, what should you be recording?

Every thought and suggestion that at all concerns your invention (I uncommitted if you dream it ... PAPER IT!). You can always return to these notes, repeat on them, incorporate them in brand-new means, and so on. Much more notably, if anything is ever doubted, you have proof that the suggestion is yours.

All information that you can think about that helps you explain the invention.

Usage instances. What is your product for? What does it do? What problem or difficulty does it address? That will be utilizing it?

Where do you think it could be sold? What kind of shops? Is it part of something that currently exists?

How will it be made? Out of what?

Just how will you construct a prototype? Will you require aid?

To find full-circle right here, simply DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! I do not know if I can pierce this in any additional:-RRB-.

Why you ought to record your invention.

At some point in the invention cycle, you might need to prove that you are the proprietor of your suggestion. You may also need to confirm that you thought of a particular element of your invention.

Taxes! That's right - you can use your notes as well as files on costs for tax deductions.

Maintaining solid, systematic documentation of every idea you have and also every action you take allows you to take advantage of in-depth research and examine your work in the future so you can obtain innovative as well as build even more on it.

You're taping every little thing regarding your invention so you never forget also one thought you had regarding your idea.

4: Look For Professional Assist With Patents.

If you are new to investing, you'll intend to discover as high as you can around licenses (in addition to trademarks and also copyrights, yet that is a later lesson).

A research study ought to be an everyday activity for you.

Patents are a vast topic; it's the ocean of the invention procedure.

It's additionally a subject in which oceans of information are offered ... and also not all of it is true.

If you don't do your recon, it's a type of simple to get misguided or, also worse, capitalized on. As well as all of us recognize misaligned folks are plenty.

One terrific resource is constantly the United States Patent & Hallmark Workplace (USPTO). Nonetheless, in full disclosure, their site can be rather difficult to navigate and follow. It might befit you give some people there a call to ask certain concerns (though I'm not exactly sure the length of time delay time gets on their call center).

Another thing you can do is talk to a patent lawyer.

Below's a free life hack for you, some patent advice you probably won't find in other places:

Provide out concerns you want to ask the initial one. With those responses, try to ask smarter, much more enlightened questions to the 2nd one ... and so on - you get me.

5: Learn Exactly How To Present And Pitch (yes, I indicate OFFER!).

When I watch Shark Storage tank, I always keep a close eye on the instance each individual makes to the Sharks for their invention or product.

There are specific qualities I search for and also in my head, I generally rank each business owner weak or solid on each (or, in some cases, simply terrible).

The characteristics fall into 2 categories:

The speaker.

The discussion.

The owner of the suggestion or invention, the speaker, ought to show some innate top qualities if they intend to be perceived as a person a Shark can do service with. Before I provide those qualities, I simply want to mention "innate" ... meaning, some individuals are natural at specific points.

What I wouldn't condone is attempting to entirely be something you aren't.

If discussions, as well as sales, aren't your strong suit, I suggest training.

I've recently added an article regarding pitching your concept, whether it's to a shark or other investor, to a business, or a prospective partner.

To me, the best presenters are positive.

They make eye call, talk eloquently, and rely on their words.

When you do that, when you control the space fearlessly, you start to regulate the audience to pay attention to what you're stating.

As soon as you've "hypnotized" them, you can start to throw off Subliminals (such as a nod when you desire the possible buyer, investor, or Shark to believe "yes" in their head).

If you present self-confidence as a presenter, your distribution will constantly go from a 6 to an 8, specifically.

An additional quality of a wonderful presenter is going to hold your horses.

You work out persistence by paying attention, taking in, as well as analyzing things as you are offering your presentation.

Don't quickly look to be listened to; you'll get your chance.

Slow down, listen to what a prospective investor is stating, as well as see just how you can empathize.

The toughest presentations need to be tales, computer-animated by utilizing the brand name photo, look, and also really feel.

Stories have a beginning, middle, and end, as well as they always have a point.

Props must be utilized as required.

I when saw a person who developed a canteen that opened up on both sides (for far better cleansing). It was geared towards the athletic neighborhood as well as sporting activities gamers.

When he came on Shark Container, he had Costs Walton as his mascot - what a mind-blowing concept! (Particularly if you take into consideration that Mark Cuban is a Shark ... as well as he got a handle him).

If you have an invention and you wish to sell it, simply remember that you eventually need to sell it in some way.

You'll require to pitch the suggestion probably numerous times before it begins to materialize. Function on that lift pitch and also never stop boosting it from there.

6: Learn About Appraisal, Equity, Accountancy, And Organisation Money.

You wish to be fiscally responsible with your invention idea. I can't claim it any less complex than this.

As the proprietor of an invention, you definitely must know what the invention is worth.

Know your numbers.

As well as when you do, you sure better understand why it's worth that.

I have discussed research many times in this post, and also it's a popular string throughout this website for a factor: If you're not knowledgeable, you can pretty conveniently end up on the wrong side of a bad deal.

I recommend you do some analysis regarding bookkeeping, personal financing, company valuation, and various other financial subjects.

If time is way too much of a commodity, find out exactly how to take in info various other means - podcasts could be an excellent technique.

You'll intend to be a master of numbers.

It guarantees you aren't taken benefit of.

Second, when you do go pitch this concept or invention to investors, you'll likely be prompted on-the-spot to chat numbers. You better understand them. And when a person starts to make a deal, you wish to ensure the numbers they are offering are in the array you valuated your invention or business.

The evaluation of inventions is vital when identifying the general value.

Yet valuation is a pretty complicated subject; this is hardly introductory to Assessment 101.

And the truth is that evaluation can come down to a mix of complex calculations, extensive projections, and a peppering of ordinary old intestine instincts.

If you can confirm out that your invention fulfills an unmet demand or gets over a typical obstacle that appears to bug a big number of individuals, after that you can make a fairly strong situation for an economic benefit (and a good one for buy-in from investors) ... however, that doesn't suggest a real worth can be established.

With gray areas, the best point a brand-new investor can do is develop their abilities on the financial side of points. Math ninja would certainly be excellent.

7: Be Reasonable. You, Will, Requirement To Invest Time & Money To Make Money.

It takes a lot of individual financial investment to succeed as a capitalist.

That investment is available in several means: You'll be investing time right into establishing your suggestion; initiative into your patent; money right into your model; personal room and/or family time to make ends satisfy ... you get it.

This isn't a very easy roadway. Nothing beneficial was ever that easy.

And also as much as you're an optimist, be open to the potential of not making it, specifically with your initial invention.

It's OKAY to stop working.

A fantastic capitalist as soon as claimed "A creator can fall short 999 times, as well as if he is successful once, he remains in. He treats his failures simply as method shots.".

[orkzrul3]

nasha's journal #1

Today is going to be good I think it's been A little under three years since I have set off on my own Venturing from settlement to settlement. As of currently I'm staying in the step right inn Located in the Port City of Briar Glen. I was feeling a little tired today as I could not sleep great the night before .So for my workout today I only did 100 push-ups 100 sit-ups and 100 squats Instead of my regular 250 Of each.

Then I went downstairs And had breakfast 12 pancakes with all the usual dressings like always. After a hearty meal I usually like to Take a walk down by the pier and look at all the passing ships. After a time I had decided to go down to the shopping district And Look at the plate Armor on display in the blacksmith It is polished to a mirror shine and I can see my orcish features in the steel. Steel so well Smithed that nary Bastard Sword or arrow and all of the land of Azrael Could Pierce its exterior

But alas 1500 gold pieces is far too Expensive. I'd wager to bet if I were the best adventurer in In the city It would take me an entire year so that kind of coin. Just as that thought crossed my mind I had realized that I was getting hungry. So I had decided to stop back in to where I was staying to eat lunch They they were serving mutton so I Ordered the largest Leg They had.

After that it was around 3 p.m. so I had Decided to Go up to my room And pray for Thor's blessing. After that it was about 3:30 And My throat was getting dry So I had decided to go downstairs and quench my thirst at The bar. It was Quite busy at the inn People were bustling about enjoying late lunches and early dinners; I walked up to the bartender a man by the name of Gregory And requested the strongest drink he had.

And for any Tips on where I could find Work he kindly directed me to the job board across the room from the bar.

Just then An Athletically built Elven woman had walked Up to the bar and I ordered a cold glass of water She then proceeded to drink it like a shot. I said I “Wow...I like your style ,my name is Nasha What is yours?” She said her name was Astra And explained that she was also a woman of the cloth Who worshiped Helm

Just then we Had both noticed a rabbit Folk Who seemed to be very hyperactively Hopping around the Inn bothering many of the patrons. Just then I approached her which Seemed to make her nervous. Although she was very interested in my Winged helm. Which I was gifted by The clergy of my temple When I had set off on my adventure. In addition to my Warhammer Which I had learned that I had a natural ability with from an early age. She was Wielding a Quarterstaff And as she was presenting it a sharp blade of ice formed at one end And I stepped back a little bit in Surprise.

All three Of us had seen a job posted by the golden Covenant which entailed going to the town of Farwater A small fishing Village Which Had been experiencing Bandit attacks for one reason or another and doing away with said Ne'er-do-wells.

Just then the guild leader of the golden Covenant Walked into The very same inn that We were staying at her name was Hollan A stunningly tall and Incredibly muscular Breathtakingly beautiful half-orc Woman Adorned in shiny golden plate armor. And Tado had the Brilliant idea Of bothering her while she was enjoying a drink at the bar. I quickly stopped this and Barely manage to get out a very shaky apology.

Hollan asked If we were interested in the job I said yes again Very shakily My voice trembling with every word. That feeling was a very strange mix of desire and intimidation Something which I had never Felt before. I decided it would be preferable to Hide myself behind Astra To save myself at least a tiny bit of embarrassment and leave with A shred of my dignity intact.

And so we Headed out And Took a wagon provided by the golden covenant about a day and a half during which time we made light conversation and got to know each other eventually made it to The town of farwater proper. As soon as we did however we were accosted by a Duo of Bandits Although Astra punched one of them out and I had scared the other one off.

When we got there The streets were completely empty the marketplace that was usually bustling with activity was Barron and cold breeze blew in and took a tumble weed with it which is weird because We are nowhere near The Crimson desert.

All three of us had decided to take different routes Astra had decided to shout And call out for a residents. Tado Had thought it wise to Go from house to house wrapping on every door. As for me I decided It might be a wise idea to Check out the town hall.

As I proceed very cautiously I saw a small face peeking out of one of the windows Just Then tado Thought it might be a good idea to Ram The door full speed with her staff Although she stopped short and the door opened to reveal a Halfling Woman by the name of Vaora Hillbough Who was the mayor of the town.

Her voice was shaky and she was reluctant to give us information she said that Bandits were Ram sacking The Village and they must have been looking for something in one of the shipments but she Did not have the foggiest idea of what. We explained we were with the golden Covenant and she opened up almost immediately she said that the bandits were holed up in a cave a little ways from town And that we should head there if we wanted to put a stop to them Vaora Said that anything we needed they'd be happy to give us. Tado asked if there was any candy the closest thing this town had was fish on a stick tado being Vegetarian of course turned It down Although Astra and I, Took two of them out of politeness.

As soon as I took a bite though I threw up a little bit in my mouth Although our elf companion seemed to be enjoying hers and asked if I was going to finish mine I handed it to her and then we set off.

Singing old folk songs about Dungeons And the dragons that could sometimes be found inside of them as we walked. Just As we had finished singing the one about how scary the Demogorgon is we made it to farwater cave. We hear faint voices from inside Astra almost announces our presence but before she can I put my hand in front of her mouth and put a stop to it. And then Tado as an actually brilliant idea And she stomps her foot faster and louder than I have seen anything of her kind do before so it was so loud in fact that it created a thunderous boom which bounced through the Narrow Chamber Of The Cave entrance and took out at least three of the bandits.

Before I enter the cave I also have a moderately smart idea The pendant around my neck begins to Glow and a thick sphere of fog emanates from it. as all three of us cautiously enter we are then confronted by An additional Trio of Marauders. Several events happen in quick succession first Tado Used her druidic magic to freeze the water in the Mist into ice freezing the criminals in place. Secondly Astra used Powerful fists to a dispatch one of them in a singular blow

Sensing what was about to happen the evil-doers tempted to free themselves from their icy prison but were unsuccessful.

Thirdly I Bashed Brains using my beautiful boisterous Wonderful Warhammer. And Finally Tado cast ice knife As these Blades of cold and frost sunk in to the Flesh of this Bandit and then exploded outwards viscera flew everywhere and flecks of blood got in Todo's Soft brown fur and as I gazed into her eyes the only thing I witnessed was Pure unfiltered Delight.

As we move through the cave we heard sounds of Someone searching for something faster and faster Their motion is getting more and more frantic and panicked as the three of us moved closer. Hold up my shield as we Very deliberately move through An area with several bedrolls. We make it down another narrow passageway to the final chamber of farwater Cave.

What We find in this room is the Bandit chief she is a man very frantic in his mannerisms and action he looks incredibly focused on finding whatever he's trying to fight and I walk out to him and say "looking for something”? Understandably he gets quite frightened by my presence From there Astra Scoops him up and puts him under her arm key is thrashing and trying to escape very desperately I say listen either way can kill you right now or if you can tell us what's going on here and we can bring you back to the golden Covenant for Hollan to deal with. So he explains he's looking for an orb Some “kind of magic” he says He explains that She is worried that they are going to get his family also she would not explain who They were exactly.

Just then Astra finds that there is a secret compartment under one of the chests. she opens it To find an orb it Floats inside of container glows blue And Sparks a bit. Just then we hear the clatter of two sets of bony fish walking toward us two skeletons with evil grimaces and glowing green eyes Paralyzed us with some kind of poison darts Slaughtered the Bandit Chief In Cold Blood and make off with the orb.

So currently I am sitting paralyzed In between a very Punchy elf and a sort of bloodthirsty rabbit And I don't know where the rest of my day is going to go from here guess I'll find out soon enough.

[dacxiglobal]

7 Reasons Why Cryptocurrency Belongs In Your Retirement Portfolio

Across the world, governments are faced with the reality that most households aren’t saving enough for retirement. 

Sadly, the era of company-sponsored pension plans is long gone and both Millennials and Boomers are bombarded with the high costs of basic priorities such as housing, education and healthcare that compete directly with investment plans and retirement savings. 

According to a recent study carried out by Ramsey Solutions, about half of Americans are not saving for retirement, and the few who do save aren’t saving enough. Folks, that’s a crisis. 

In another survey, only 3 in 5 households headed by someone between the ages of 45 and 54 had a retirement account with an average value of $83,000, and 13% of people in their 40s had absolutely no retirement savings. 

Apparently, 56% of Gen X folks have no clue how much they will need for retirement. This is according to a new study conducted by Bankrate. In addition, nearly half of working households will experience lower living standards during retirement, as revealed by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

Save for Your Retirement By Investing in Crypto

It’s never too late to start planning or saving for your retirement. Its a fact that most people dread putting their money in risky (read: liquid and volatile) areas such as cryptocurrencies. 

We will tell you for free that any viable future financial plan should include Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies which will provide a secure hedge against existing shaky financial systems. 

Today, many people are searching for opportunities that deliver high ROI within a short time frame, possibly through options like private equity funds, venture capital, real-estate investment trusts and lately cryptocurrency.

 And there are many people that continue with the struggle to max out their 401(k) contributions, stashing money in traditional IRA or mutual funds. 

Of course that’s crucial, but since the majority of retirement plans adhere to the “contribute and coast” rhetoric, ensuring smooth operations and optimal earnings, they eventually demand rebalancing of your finances as the global financial landscape evolves. 

Keep in mind that cryptocurrency is one of the biggest and most disruptive technologies in the financial arena in recent tim 

Cryptocurrency is coming into the broader market as a new asset class. The puzzling price swings in Bitcoin are luring millennials into pouring their money into risky investments. Interestingly, even the IRS has approved cryptocurrency IRAs. 

At this juncture, people are wondering which crypto asset class belongs to the retirement accounts, which crypto and retirement portfolios can feature in their investment strategy and if buying crypto is a great idea for long-term investing? 

Why Cryptocurrency Has Become Such a Big Deal?

Well, it’s the next big thing. Ask Wall Street fund managers — they say it is the future! 

Don’t be surprised when your friends and family start channeling their retirement dollars into cryptocurrency sooner rather than later. And don’t be startled when you see the cryptocurrency index or exchange-traded funds start to appear on the New York Stock Exchange. 

While the crypto space is susceptible to volatility, there are numerous indications that point to Bitcoin and blockchain as being a strong bull ideal for building exchange-traded funds as well as other instruments that are great for retirement savings. You too should be bullish on blockchain, Bitcoin and other cryptos. 

Rafael Carmona Toscano, a private investor and scholar of cryptocurrency who has been accumulating Bitcoin since 2013, notes that Bitcoin has a bright future. Rafael boasts hands-on experience with cryptos as he started out mining Bitcoin, and later purchased it. 

“Bitcoin is a bank for the unbankable,” he says, while stating that many people in the world have no bank accounts and hence cryptocurrency would solve a huge problem for those folks. 

Digital assets represent a new, fundamental asset class — one that is being considered carefully by investors. The main reason for this can be illustrated by Real Estate Investment Trusts, abbreviated as REITs. 

The underlying concept of REIT was first introduced as an asset class designed for legal investment in 1960. The investment grew gradually in subsequent decades, but did not gain momentum until the 1990s. In short, the early investors profited incredibly. 

Similarly, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are probably the fastest growing asset class in the financial space. But do they qualify to be in your retirement account? Many experts believe so. 

Here are 7 reasons why you should include a cryptocurrency IRA (individual retirement account) in your retirement portfolio. 

#1: Diversification

The rule of thumb is never put all your eggs in one basket! Did you know that diversification is one of the strategies used to minimize exposure to a single asset class while still ensuring its growth? When it comes to retirement planning, one of the most effective ways to diversify is to put your savings in multiple mutual funds for different reasons such as income, growth, investing etc. Thereafter, you may need to re-balance your portfolio to ensure any rapidly growing segments of your portfolio do not skew your intended allocation. 

In traditional financial markets, most of the available tax-deferred retirement accounts restrict diversification to only two classes — bonds and stocks. But, as much as diversification involves spreading the risk across different asset classes, this should extend beyond bonds and stocks to include real estate, cryptocurrency and precious metals, among others. Since cryptocurrency is a promising new asset class with exciting upside potential, it is worth considering as a retirement plan alternative for your diversified portfolios. 

#2: Government Hedge

No government can directly control cryptocurrency. This is one of the reasons that has fueled its growth as an alternative currency. However, government regulations and policies do impact the bond market or Wall Street. In addition, central banks debase traditional currencies such as the U.S Dollar with evolving approaches to exchange and monetary policies. In contrast, digital assets like Bitcoin are immune to the effects of changing governmental directives. As such, we can consider cryptocurrency as an asset class capable of shifting in the opposite direction to dominant markets. This gives more credence to its diversification potential. 

#3. Long-Term Growth Opportunities

Keep in mind that while cryptocurrency is proving to be an ideal long-term investment, it is also volatile. And just like any other volatile investment, what skyrockets today can plummet tomorrow and that can be bad for your health! 

But do you know what other investments can be volatile? Stocks! That’s right. We all remember the Great Recession that happened from 2007–2009 where the U.S equities lost about 50% of their value in less than 18 months. 

But we’re not talking about day-to-day transactions. Retirement planning is a long term horizon where individuals count on accruing tax deferred benefits for several decades in order to achieve a given milestone. It’s this long term view that got those who saved for retirement out of the muddy waters of the Great Recession. 

Remember the lowest level for the Dow Jones Industrial Average during the crunch? It was at 6,547. Most notably, its highest level before the crash was at 14,164. A decade later, and the market has drastically risen over those points of the Great Recession. 

Similarly, while the price of cryptocurrency and particularly Bitcoin is significantly low at the moment, it is obviously higher when compared to early 2017. I bet that anyone would be quite happy with the returns, with the coin price having increased beyond double from its value of about $2,000 in May 2017 to the current November 2018 prices of around $4,000. 

#4. Cryptocurrency is Still Cheap

Is the current price tag of Bitcoin turning you away? Well, think again and remember even if Bitcoin’s not cheap, other cryptocurrencies are. 

The most important question is not whether or not cryptocurrency is cheap, but will it have appreciated in value a decade later? 

If you believe Bitcoin’s price will be in the range of $10,000, $100,000 or $1 million, then the coin is damn cheap today! 

While you may not be that guy who spent $100 in 2010 and now has a net worth of $7.4 million, you can still take the advice provided by Wences Casare, PayPal board member that you “put 1 percent of your income into Bitcoin and forget about it for ten years.” 

#5. Bitcoin Is Highly Resilient

Bitcoin is huge and the news of its death as highlighted in the 2013 smug LA Times article was premature, given that the coin is aging well. 

While the Bitcoin market has faced some tumultuous times, like earlier in the decade when it lost about 70 per cent of its value overnight, the coin has recovered — along with other cryptocurrencies. Realistically, the thought of Bitcoin fading away is impossible as long as the concept of cryptocurrency still exists. 

#6. Crypto Is Going Mainstream

You can use cryptocurrency on the online ecommerce marketplace, Overstock. Restaurants in Kenya and Silicon Valley will accept and give you a discount for using it. You can also buy your Sacramento Kings tickets with it. 

Some of the biggest companies on the planet like Microsoft, Dell, Tesla and Virgin Galactic are accepting Bitcoin. And why not? Its price is likely to be more tomorrow than it is today.

BitPay, a global payment company is already working with over 125,000 merchants across the globe that accept Bitcoin as a medium of exchange. The company goes a notch higher to allow Bitcoin users to hold a Bitcoin Visa credit card which enables users to transact anywhere this Visa is accepted. 

In essence, the fiction that “you can’t use Bitcoin to buy anything” is a fallacy, not a fact. Of course, We don’t expect you to hit your grocery store with it now, but you might be interested in knowing that a guy purchased a house with Bitcoin and made a $1.3 million return on the deal. 

#7. Supporting Technology

The world of technology is evolving so rapidly and its successful integration into crypto and retirement portfolios will depend on how fast its functionality will allow holders to quickly and smoothly trade coins and exchange cryptocurrency for fiat currency or non-tokenized assets in their portfolios, while ensuring complete automation, transparency and record-keeping. This will reduce the need for having “middlemen” that drive up charges and cost layers. 

The maturation of technologies that support trading in crypto is poised to increase its value, while pushing it into becoming mainstream. 

Ideally, the emergence of more retirement platforms that support the technological characteristics of cryptocurrency exchange and portfolio integration have the power to increase crypto gains for the early adopters. 

One example of a supporting retirement platform is Dacxi, an innovative platform that empowers new customers looking to hold on to their assets for the long-term. The company’s Dacxi Bundle is a first-of-its kind, combining the major coins by market capitalisation with an emerging coin with rapid growth potential. Ultimately, this helps new customers to spread their risk across four crypto assets automatically and at zero transaction fees! 

Tokens or bundles purchased by users are kept safely in 2FA, secure wallets. Users are able to rebalance amounts and adjust their portfolio as they choose. 

Take The Plunge

So, why be a statistic among people whose biggest regret is not saving enough for retirement? 

How much do you plan to spend when you finally take the plunge? The answer to this question is — as much you can afford. Only you know your own risk tolerance and capability to save or spend. 

Dacxi is proud to support people on a path to prosperity with crypto. If you would like to find out more then please join us at dacxi.com. We’re here to help.