Eddie M Harmon
New Contributor
- Joined
- May 2, 2023
- Messages
- 2
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Hello, everyone! My name is Eddie Harmon, and I'm 19 years old. My highest level of education is a high school diploma. I work as a self-employed carpenter and arborist, often assisting my stepdad with carpentry projects. Additionally, I have experience in web development and software development. I consider myself a versatile individual, capable of various tasks. I take pride in my ability to build decks, repair roofs, handle plumbing and electrical work, fell trees, fix phone screens, create full-fledged websites from design to code, and develop software. I can also explain anything about computers. However, despite these skills, I often feel uncertain about my path.
Now, let me share a bit of my story. I began working at 17 as a bag boy, my first real job outside of helping my dad with carpentry. Initially, I disliked working, earning only $7.50 per hour. After about three months, I moved to a different job with a local screen printing company that offered me $9 per hour. Unfortunately, the hours were irregular, and I ended up making about the same amount with fewer hours. I won't go into detail, but it was a tough experience.
I eventually moved to a different state in pursuit of a better job, though I had to stay with family temporarily, which was challenging. I started working for FedEx as a package handler, earning around $20 per hour on the night shift. This job was incredibly tough and changed my perspective on my previous roles. During this time, I achieved independence, owning a car and a small studio apartment.
Regarding my car, I hadn't mentioned earlier that I had an unreliable '97 Pathfinder. I ended up buying a new car for $15,000, but the interest rates over 84 months made the monthly payments ridiculous, at $400. On the drive home, the check engine light came on, which was disheartening. The repair cost was $1,200, and I had to seek assistance from family. Unfortunately, my time at FedEx was short-lived, as I fell asleep on the interstate after a nine-hour night shift and collided with a FedEx truck. This event forced me to move back in with my parents, as I could no longer commute 45 minutes to work. I broke my lease on my cozy studio apartment, which was costing me $730 a month for a small space that didn't even include utilities.
At that low point, I felt hopeless, having lost everything I had achieved. However, I eventually saved enough money to buy a more reliable vehicle for $1,200, which turned out to be more dependable than the $15,000 car I had before.
In short, I now rent my own place in my hometown and am much happier. Two blessings came out of the car crash: no one was hurt, and I didn't lose my life, and I no longer had to engage in physically demanding work, loading countless boxes into trailers every night.
Today, I'm self-employed, working in carpentry and tree cutting, occasionally assisting my stepdad. While I don't earn as much as I'd like, I'm not passionate about the work and worry about its long-term impact on my body. Despite my diverse skills, I struggle to make my entrepreneurial ventures succeed, whether it's drop-shipping websites, designing websites for clients, creating logos, or other projects. I'm tired of feeling like nothing is working out, and I'm eager to find a way to make decent money without jeopardizing my physical well-being. Whether it's starting a small contracting company or diving into e-commerce, I'm challenged by the need for initial investment, like when I tried running ads on Instagram with a $30 budget for my drop-shipping websites, sadly without achieving any sales. All I am doing is asking for tips and advice. The struggle is real but I feel like I too the point where I can actually change my life or something has to give in cause it feels like I've been on this hussle for way too long and I have a deep thought in my head to just stop it all and go back to a regular job.
Edit: Additionally, I feel a strong desire to generate substantial income rapidly so that I can savor life to the fullest. I've witnessed my stepdad toil until retirement age, and I'm determined not to follow that path. If I could achieve financial success before his retirement, I would cherish the opportunity to express my gratitude to my family.
Now, let me share a bit of my story. I began working at 17 as a bag boy, my first real job outside of helping my dad with carpentry. Initially, I disliked working, earning only $7.50 per hour. After about three months, I moved to a different job with a local screen printing company that offered me $9 per hour. Unfortunately, the hours were irregular, and I ended up making about the same amount with fewer hours. I won't go into detail, but it was a tough experience.
I eventually moved to a different state in pursuit of a better job, though I had to stay with family temporarily, which was challenging. I started working for FedEx as a package handler, earning around $20 per hour on the night shift. This job was incredibly tough and changed my perspective on my previous roles. During this time, I achieved independence, owning a car and a small studio apartment.
Regarding my car, I hadn't mentioned earlier that I had an unreliable '97 Pathfinder. I ended up buying a new car for $15,000, but the interest rates over 84 months made the monthly payments ridiculous, at $400. On the drive home, the check engine light came on, which was disheartening. The repair cost was $1,200, and I had to seek assistance from family. Unfortunately, my time at FedEx was short-lived, as I fell asleep on the interstate after a nine-hour night shift and collided with a FedEx truck. This event forced me to move back in with my parents, as I could no longer commute 45 minutes to work. I broke my lease on my cozy studio apartment, which was costing me $730 a month for a small space that didn't even include utilities.
At that low point, I felt hopeless, having lost everything I had achieved. However, I eventually saved enough money to buy a more reliable vehicle for $1,200, which turned out to be more dependable than the $15,000 car I had before.
In short, I now rent my own place in my hometown and am much happier. Two blessings came out of the car crash: no one was hurt, and I didn't lose my life, and I no longer had to engage in physically demanding work, loading countless boxes into trailers every night.
Today, I'm self-employed, working in carpentry and tree cutting, occasionally assisting my stepdad. While I don't earn as much as I'd like, I'm not passionate about the work and worry about its long-term impact on my body. Despite my diverse skills, I struggle to make my entrepreneurial ventures succeed, whether it's drop-shipping websites, designing websites for clients, creating logos, or other projects. I'm tired of feeling like nothing is working out, and I'm eager to find a way to make decent money without jeopardizing my physical well-being. Whether it's starting a small contracting company or diving into e-commerce, I'm challenged by the need for initial investment, like when I tried running ads on Instagram with a $30 budget for my drop-shipping websites, sadly without achieving any sales. All I am doing is asking for tips and advice. The struggle is real but I feel like I too the point where I can actually change my life or something has to give in cause it feels like I've been on this hussle for way too long and I have a deep thought in my head to just stop it all and go back to a regular job.
Edit: Additionally, I feel a strong desire to generate substantial income rapidly so that I can savor life to the fullest. I've witnessed my stepdad toil until retirement age, and I'm determined not to follow that path. If I could achieve financial success before his retirement, I would cherish the opportunity to express my gratitude to my family.
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