you work for how much?

[keziak]

Dou you have people in your life who wonder why you are working for such low  money? Or no bedcause they keep that to themselves or you make plenty? I am married toa lawyer with decades of experience who seems to make more all the time while I seem to be stuck in the low 2000's (years) in the sense of no real inflation in book prices.

I did recently raise my minimum on Amazon a lot with the result I am making a lot less (smaller inventory). That was supposed to be a lead up to retirement one of these years. Still working as much as ever if not more! Some days I feel like at least I am nto working for The Man even  though I would probably make more.

[chapeau-noir]

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@fern*wood wrote:

Great perspective.  Unfortunately, it appears the OP allows others to dictate how she feels about herself and her work.   Seems her therapist isn't doing much to help.

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Unfortunately, too many women are conditioned to this and it's a tough trap to break out of - OP is by no means alone, but we only get treated as we allow ourselves to be treated.  

[nuclearomen]

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@chapeau-noir wrote:

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@fern*wood wrote:

Great perspective.  Unfortunately, it appears the OP allows others to dictate how she feels about herself and her work.   Seems her therapist isn't doing much to help.

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Unfortunately, too many women are conditioned to this and it's a tough trap to break out of - OP is by no means alone, but we only get treated as we allow ourselves to be treated.  

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not exactly limited to women. When sales are bad to extremely slow I hear my wife blab her mouth all the time about it...I just laugh and say "whatever"...i know having relationship is work, having one with someone who sells online or does mail order can be stressful, but it can also be very rewarding and self conditioning. Never once regretted any endeavor I under took, good/bad, they all taught me a lot, lessons learned, and makes you appreciate hard work and making your own path...cause idk if this thread or another going on right now but someone just said on one of them "money isn't everything" - and it isn't can take a lot of pride in selling and being your own boss, money comes and goes comes and goes...it's no different if work a "normal" job either.   

[powell-memorabilia]

I think that we are making to many leaps of faith - things are rarely as cut and dry as they are presented in an online forum.  OP might be a wonderful person, and so might be the husband.  I don't think it does much good to indicate that the therapist is wrong, that the husband is out of line, etc..  

There are probably some good numbers to use to provide some guidance on whether OP is collecting to much future inventory.  As far as how OP should tackle any real or perceived issues with her husband, I'd steer clear.  

[keziak]

I got some tough love from my psychiatrist today (see him for the meds) along the lines of do I really need to feel like  I can 't take a day  or half day off every week? Something  to think about. 

One of the nice things I've done for myself is set up an elaborate bird feeding station by the porch so I can watch the birds easily. Sometimes I get something to drink and just sit there watching them. 

And of course when my daughter comes to visit every thought of work goes out the window! Maybe I need to visit with myself more. 🤗

I really appreciate everyone who took the time and energy to contribute to this thread. I really do, thank you.

[sin-n-dex]

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@keziak wrote:

Dou you have people in your life who wonder why you are working for such low  money? Or no bedcause they keep that to themselves or you make plenty? I am married toa lawyer with decades of experience who seems to make more all the time while I seem to be stuck in the low 2000's (years) in the sense of no real inflation in book prices.

I did recently raise my minimum on Amazon a lot with the result I am making a lot less (smaller inventory). That was supposed to be a lead up to retirement one of these years. Still working as much as ever if not more! Some days I feel like at least I am nto working for The Man even  though I would probably make more.

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My rate of pay varies by what I'm selling... very high on tokens (potentially even $50-100 an hour if the lot is good), and very low on silver coins and jewellery (and postcards too).

I run the business because working for myself instead of the coin shop allows me to write a lot of things off my income tax (we don't have the same laws in Canada). I get to keep more of my money being self-employed.

C.

[chapeau-noir]

That sounds great, @keziak!  Just don't take any guff and people will be less likely to give you any.

[katzrul15]

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@keziak wrote:

I got some tough love from my psychiatrist today (see him for the meds) along the lines of do I really need to feel like  I can 't take a day  or half day off every week? Something  to think about. 

One of the nice things I've done for myself is set up an elaborate bird feeding station by the porch so I can watch the birds easily. Sometimes I get something to drink and just sit there watching them. 

And of course when my daughter comes to visit every thought of work goes out the window! Maybe I need to visit with myself more. 🤗

I really appreciate everyone who took the time and energy to contribute to this thread. I really do, thank you.

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@keziak 

LOVE the bird feeder set-up.  Baby steps.  

Sometimes just knowing that things need to change-up is more than half the battle - things did not get where they are overnight and won't reverse overnight either - but really encouraging to hear that you have progress in meaningful ways.  

Keep us posted.  The BEST is yet to come!

[keziak]

You are so kind, thank you. 

I stopped to realize that in 2020 and 2021 I spent many hours a week driving for many miles to pick up inventory and I hardly ever do that anymore. Somehow I felt like I could do that on top of everything. I'll need that kind of time starting next month when I finally get my main commission back. Odd how it feels like there's always to scout but not to list....😉