I'm asking because I am a finishing carpenter who worked on residential new builds for over 15 years. Just curious to find out if there are any construction workers or mechanics or any other hands-on professionals who are bitcoiners and also like to hang out here on SN. Or if I'm alone...
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31 sats \ 5 replies \ @AJ1992 10 Jul 2023
I umpire high level travel baseball and low level college baseball, does that count as "hands-on?"
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @gnilma OP 10 Jul 2023
That sounds like a really cool job, but at the same time seems pretty stressful. You have to make judgement calls all the time and whatever you call, someone will not be happy with you.
I wonder how the nature of the employment works? Are you employed by the league or do you take contracts? Also, how do you move up to bigger higher level leagues?
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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @AJ1992 11 Jul 2023
We are independent contractors, unless you're working professional baseball under the MLB flag then you're employed by the league even if you're only working minor league baseball. So, I am a member of an umpire association in my area that assigns me games. The association is contracted by travel tournament directors, HS/college athletic directors, ect to get them umpires for a tournament/games. They then assign to members of the association based on experience and more importantly your skill level.
It's also about who you know for sure. I wouldn't be where I am today or assigned the games I get if I didn't know someone who knew someone who knew someone. It's a lot of networking and politics too, which is why we have some older umpires in our association still getting high level assignments that they shouldn't be getting.
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0 sats \ 2 replies \ @grayruby 10 Jul 2023
Haha that's awesome. My first job at 15 was umpiring little league. Obviously not the same as rep or college ball but it was a fun job. All the parents used to yell at me. It was great.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @AJ1992 10 Jul 2023
I can't stand little league umpires and umpires who go out there with their hat on backwards in shorts and a t shirt. It makes the whole profession and those of us that do take umpiring seriously look bad.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 10 Jul 2023
I don't know how it works now but I had to wear a full uniform and pass some test to umpire back in the day.
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21 sats \ 8 replies \ @grayruby 10 Jul 2023
I used to own a facilities maintenance business (sold last year). We did cleaning, entrance matting install and maintenance, superintendent services, small repairs, washroom dispenser install and maintenance, window cleaning, power washing, marble restoration, sold bathroom supplies, cleaning supplies, garbage bags etc. Pretty much any business or project we could get from commercial property managers. I did a lot of hands on stuff but also spent a lot of time managing the business. I used to make an extra 1000-1500 a month picking up project work on the weekends, pretty much anything I could get, while we were building up the business and it used to drive me nuts hearing people complaining about how they didn't make enough money. I would say come out and work projects on the weekend with me and you can make an extra 800 a month. Working every weekend was heresy to them. I am pretty lazy now since I sold the business and moved out of the city but I worked my ass off for 15 years to earn the right to be lazy for awhile.
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20 sats \ 7 replies \ @gnilma OP 10 Jul 2023
Good for you! You’re basically just reaping the fruits of your own labor, which is awesome.
I’ve always worked 6 day weeks, sometimes 7 if needed. Because I work only on contracts, and building schedule of houses don’t revolve around my schedule, it’s more unstable and could get busy or slow at a moments notice. I could go a few weeks without work. That’s why when there is work, I put in long hours to finish it quick so I can be available for more work. It’s normal for me to push 60-70 hours of work a week. I do try to keep it within 60 hours because I want to spend time with my wife and kids.
So yes, when I hear kids these days insist on taking the weekend off or make it a big deal when working longer than 8 hours shifts, I simply shake my head and get back to doing what I’m doing. I guess I don’t understand their mindset and why they would pass on the opportunity of providing value for others while receiving value back.
Working hard made it possible that my wife doesn’t have to work, and I’m quite thankful for that. She can stay home and take care of our children and also take care of our home. It’s like she got my back; all I have to worry about is to focus on my craft and focus on bringing home money (the easy parts).
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21 sats \ 6 replies \ @grayruby 11 Jul 2023
That's awesome. Yeah my wife didn't work either while I was running the business. Wouldn't have been possible even if she wanted to since shit could hit the fan at a moments notice (someone quit or didn't show up to work) so I pretty much had to be available at all times.
Thank god for bitcoin my friend. At least you know you have a savings vehicle to store all that time and energy in.
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0 sats \ 5 replies \ @grayruby 11 Jul 2023
What do you think about the idea of a home services business that leverages accepting Bitcoin to offer lower prices as a competitive advantage?
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10 sats \ 4 replies \ @gnilma OP 12 Jul 2023
Thank god for bitcoin indeed.
I think as a business owner, you can choose to accept bitcoin anytime you want. All you need to do is let your customers know.
I have been telling my clients that I accept bitcoin for a discount for several months now. I do full price plus taxes (5% on top) if payment by cheque or e-transfer (a Canadian retail level bank to bank money transfer service), full price with no taxes if payment by cash, and a 5%-10% discount if payment by bitcoin. I find that contractors / construction companies usually like to go for the cheque option, because they can claim the expense for tax deduction and it’s easier accounting. Home owners usually like the cash route because they don’t want to pay the 5% tax. I have yet to receive bitcoin though, even with the discount, but at least it sparks conversations. Also, I like to think that I’m helping push the circular economy; even if no one uses it yet, at least I let people know the option is there.
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0 sats \ 3 replies \ @grayruby 12 Jul 2023
Glad to see someone is actually doing this. Yes, businesses would be a hard sell but you would think some individual homeowners would take you up on paying in bitcoin. Maybe offer at 10% discount.
I was thinking about doing some home services odd jobs and trying to get paid in Bitcoin. Offering a 15% discount for paying in bitcoin. Seems like a lot but I would rather have the bitcoin than fiat anyways and sure I could just buy it with the cash they give me but I like the idea of bringing more people into the ecosystem and as you point out creating a circular economy.
My wife likes to give cash tips to the guys at walmart that load our online grocery orders but I told them when I come to pick up the orders I will only tip them in bitcoin, so both guys downloaded WoS and I give them 10,000 sats. Pay my kids for chores in sats too.
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