Now I can move forward.....

[gimmethesimplelife]

Something I have been wanting to do for a long time is to sell used books online - books that I buy from estate sales and thrift shops and such. I know I'm not going to get rich doing this but I understand with some pluck one can make around $500 a month doing this, and with my bills so low I'm going for it. Business license and business checking and all of that. What has stopped me to date is terror of US health care - 24/7/365 fear of the economic terrorism of preexisting health conditions clauses coming back - why would anyone really bother having any gumption faced with constant proof of this nature regarding how corporate profits mean more than human life in America? What would the point be?

Now that it seems as if at least I don't have to live in fear of preexisting conditions clauses, I am willing to go out there and try to accomplish something. I don't feel shut down by fear of corporate profits meaning more than human life and it's wonderful to have that off my back at least as far as health care goes. So Thank You Supreme Court for not killing my gumption today! Rob

[Alan]

What has stopped me to date is terror of US health care - 24/7/365 fear of the economic terrorism of preexisting health conditions clauses coming back - why would anyone really bother having any gumption faced with constant proof of this nature regarding how corporate profits mean more than human life in America? What would the point be?

Pride? Responsibility? A wish to better individual circumstances? Those are just a few points that would come to my mind.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Pride? Responsibility? A wish to better individual circumstances? Those are just a few points that would come to my mind.There can be no real considerations of pride or responsibility, as you say, when living under 24/7/365 fear so that those at the top can become even further wealthier. Once you have lived under this fear, the great thing is that you will always see America as it is, you'll never really trust it, and you'll always look for legal ways around everything. i'm grateful this decision was handed down and I will try to accomplish something now.....but at the same time I'll still always be afraid of America and will never really trust it. I've learned too much about America's nature to ever really be a part of it. Not at any deep level at any rate. Rob

[catherine]

Something I have been wanting to do for a long time is to sell used books online - books that I buy from estate sales and thrift shops and such. ...What has stopped me to date is terror of US health care - 24/7/365 fear of the economic terrorism of preexisting health conditions clauses coming back - why would anyone really bother having any gumption faced with constant proof of this nature regarding how corporate profits mean more than human life in America? What would the point be?

Now that it seems as if at least I don't have to live in fear of preexisting conditions clauses, I am willing to go out there and try to accomplish something. I don't feel shut down by fear of corporate profits meaning more than human life and it's wonderful to have that off my back at least as far as health care goes. So Thank You Supreme Court for not killing my gumption today! Rob

Rob, I typically lean with you on a lot of liberal issues, and I, too, breathe a sigh of relief over today's ruling, but I don't get how you're connecting the dots between Obamacare and your ability/willingness to start a small online enterprise.

How would you feel shut down by fear of corporate profits? I'm a Woman4Bernie, and I believe in his brand of economics, but I don't let any fear of the current system box me in. Just go start your online business and good luck with it. Have no fear.

[LDAHL]

I share Catherine's confusion. What does the one have to do with the other? Are you quitting a benefited job to start your business? Surely you can't believe one instance of legal "jiggery-pokery" means the corporate beast is slain forevermore.

Let me know if you come across any Rex Stout first editions.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I would certainly fear quitting a full time job with benefits to start an online business. I think almost everyone would, obviously. And not many would do so. The spouse who has benefits and a real job is it's own situation.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I would certainly fear quitting a full time job with benefits to start an online business. I think almost everyone would, obviously. And not many would do so. The spouse who has benefits and a real job is it's own situation.i am working part time with no benefits. I have insurance through Medicaid at the moment and I'm close to the border and I do save a little into an IRA every month.....but F/T work with benefits is not on the table and is not an issue in my case. So traditional equations such as yours above don't apply in my case. Rob

[gimmethesimplelife]

Rob, I typically lean with you on a lot of liberal issues, and I, too, breathe a sigh of relief over today's ruling, but I don't get how you're connecting the dots between Obamacare and your ability/willingness to start a small online enterprise.

How would you feel shut down by fear of corporate profits? I'm a Woman4Bernie, and I believe in his brand of economics, but I don't let any fear of the current system box me in. Just go start your online business and good luck with it. Have no fear.Catherine, hi. I will go ahead and explain. Let's say I were successful in this venture and were able to get myself off the Medicaid rolls. With preexisting clauses in effect, I would not be able to get insurance and I'd have to live with that 24/7/365 fear again of losing everything due to human life not being worth guaranteed access to health care in America - the only country in the developed world where this terror would exist if preexisting conditions clauses were once again in effect. I'm not going to work hard like that to put myself at risk of how little human life means in the United States - this dawned on me at the age of 14 - I really don't need to be vulnerable to this evil at this late date. I am not able to forgive or forget such or pretend it's not there or ignore it - America has never meant that much to me to have earned any of this.

But now that ObamaCare still stands and preexisting conditions clauses have not been brought back, I am willing to move forward and take some risk (I am not employed FT with benefits, btw, so that is not a consideration in my case) - as long I don't have to live in fear of being flattened by America in such a way I would not have to live in fear of in any other developed country. (or even some developing countries). Rob

[iris lilies]

Rob, I agree that lack of universal healthcare is one factor that keeps entrepreneurs from starting up businsses.

but there are too many arguments about the impracticality of the ACA, and th reality that it is costing many people more money than their previous health plans, to convince me its a good thing.

[catherine]

Rob, I agree that lack of universal healthcare is one factor that keeps entrepreneurs from starting up businsses.

but there are too many arguments about the impracticality of the ACA, and th reality that it is costing many people more money than their previous health plans, to convince me its a good thing.

IL, I agree with you that the ACA is not perfect, but it's a starting point. I would rather see people like Rob and the millions of other people who are benefiting from this imperfect system at least get something.

We've covered this all before, but it would also help if we could bring per capita costs down to a sane level. Did you see Lesley Stahl's piece on 60 Minutes? They need to change the patent laws that are in place for pharmaceutical drugs now. With healthcare becoming more and more high-tech, the prices are just through the roof, and there's no transparency. At least ObamaCare is mandating more accountability.

There is much work to be done here, that's for sure. And yes, ObamaCare does unlock the golden handcuffs to promote entrepreneurship, and that can only be a good thing, and appealing to Republicans as well as Democrats.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Rob, I agree that lack of universal healthcare is one factor that keeps entrepreneurs from starting up businsses.

but there are too many arguments about the impracticality of the ACA, and th reality that it is costing many people more money than their previous health plans, to convince me its a good thing.Surprise, IL! There is some middle ground here....A. I couldn't agree with your first paragraph more, and B. I won't say that I can't see a point in your second paragraph. The ACA did not work completely as we were told it would, and I won't deny that. I think it's a good starting point but there's more that needs to be done to address this issue. Rob

[Florence]

Good luck with your new endeavor.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Good luck with your new endeavor.Florence, Thank You! Rob

[Teacher Terry]

What a great week this has been for equal rights!!! Everyone can get married & have healthcare:cool:

[gimmethesimplelife]

What a great week this has been for equal rights!!! Everyone can get married & have healthcare:cool:This has been an amazing week for basic human rights in the United States. As much as I complain about this country, to be fair I have to admit I'm surprised and impressed by this past week. Rob

[ToomuchStuff]

What a great week this has been for equal rights!!! Everyone can get married &MUST have healthcare:cool:

Corrected.
gimme....

Where did you come up with the $500 a month figure? Out of the air, or have you been buying or writing down books you have found (supply) and found first editions, excellent condition, etc and pricing what they have sold for somehow (watching Ebay for instance)?
Wondering how you have been planning this business, through your sheer terror about police and healthcare?

[gimmethesimplelife]

Corrected.
gimme....

Where did you come up with the $500 a month figure? Out of the air, or have you been buying or writing down books you have found (supply) and found first editions, excellent condition, etc and pricing what they have sold for somehow (watching Ebay for instance)?
Wondering how you have been planning this business, through your sheer terror about police and healthcare?I know other people who do this who told me that realistically starting I can make $500 a month spending some time with it. About your last sentence, try doing without insurance and being vulnerable to America for a number of years and see if this doensn't change your tune - and about the police, if you can't see there are issues since last summer's fiasco in Ferguson - issues with police brutality and issues with the police having been immune from their illegal actions for some time - then I'm not going to be able to point this out to you and make you see. My advice? I'd give this to anyone - never leave home without a least 1/2 charged smartphone with video capability - and I think all smartphones have this today? It is up to you to use the video to protect yourself should you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation with police through no fault of your own - I can't make you see this and respond to this, this is up to you. Rob

[kib]

Just going to say congratulations on moving forward. Best of luck, and I hope this is not only profitable but fun. You deserve a little enjoyment out of life!!

[sweetana3]

In order to net $500 by selling books on ebay/amazon, can you realistically sell $700 to 800 in books each month? This calculation assumes the books are 1) free and 2) costs nothing to search out.

My hubby has sold books on ebay for years (4800 feedback with 100% positive). He spent huge amounts in gas driving around to get to sale locations, huge amounts of time driving or waiting or researching, much time documenting listings and mailing them out. He had to purchase mailing supplies, etc. He needed to know his markets and the markets were a shifting sand of supply and demand. Previously good purchase sites are becoming more expert and selling themselves on Ebay/Amazon. Even Goodwill has their own auction site.


Here at our library sales, you would need to be there at the Founders evening (yearly donation) and compete with the resellers/pickers using electronic scanners who are scanning each book in their category. Sometimes multiple people trying to do this in one area. Got so bad, they limited the size of the bag/box you could move around before buying and taking to the car.

I make money sporatically because I know my categories and sometime stumble on a good buy. Got a book that will sell for at least $75 for $3 at a garage sale and a set of 18 specialty catalogs that I bought for $18 and sold for over $300. Doesnt happen often and I cannot count on it.

[ToomuchStuff]

I know other people who do this who told me that realistically starting I can make $500 a month spending some time with it. About your last sentence, try doing without insurance and being vulnerable to America for a number of years and see if this doensn't change your tune - and about the police, if you can't see there are issues since last summer's fiasco in Ferguson - issues with police brutality and issues with the police having been immune from their illegal actions for some time - then I'm not going to be able to point this out to you and make you see. My advice? I'd give this to anyone - never leave home without a least 1/2 charged smartphone with video capability - and I think all smartphones have this today? It is up to you to use the video to protect yourself should you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation with police through no fault of your own - I can't make you see this and respond to this, this is up to you. Rob

You assume I haven't. I was without insurance from 18 when I was on my own to around 30. Even then, prior to to ACA, exclusions for pre-existing condition (asthma). At one point I didn't have even an inkling of an idea of how to get it, due to being involved in a lawsuit, that was making me look at homelessness.
There are ALWAYS issues with those in power, from politicians to police, nothing new. You do need to go on a ride a long and see about your local citizen police training to get a better understanding, instead of ignorant fear. I have family on both sides of the law, including two that were bad cops (removed). I have witnessed a bribe. I have also been abducted, dealt with a serial killer and several other criminals and don't see your fear foundations as anything other then misinformation and speculation.
The first rule when it comes to a cop for those that fear them, is do what they tell you to do as a LAWYER, can straighten it out after (and get you an apology/reimbursement).

[JaneV2.0]

I like the "many streams of income" model. Markets and demand come and go, so it's always good to have a few different irons in the fire. I did OK selling on eBay when times were tough, and might do it again. You have very little to lose by selling a few books to see how it goes.

And what TooMuchStuff says is true--I've seen it a thousand times on TV. If you're ever arrested, retain an attorney. In fact, because you're concerned, it might not be a bad idea to find a good one now, just in case.

[iris lilies]

Diana from Wisconsin used book selling as one of her streams of income. Too bad that the Powers that Be ran her off here, she would be a good source for Rob.

I think she was making a tidy sum, somewhere around that $500/month figure. She lived near a college town of major proportions that would have been rich in used book resources.

but, this was a good ten years ago. Imthinksweetana's advice is good.