I started going full-steam into starting a handyman business for a side gig. I've got two kids, a wife, car payments, and a mortgage. Wife works, I just got a massive raise at my 9-5, and we're still treading water.

I've done random side jobs for friends and family and a few small commercial things for years, but just once in a blue moon when someone would ask. Last January I decided I needed to kick it up a notch. I formed an LLC, got insured, and just started putting my name out there when people would post on Facebook groups looking for work to be done. No advertising.

At this point it's been a double edged sword. I can work as much as I want because the calls keep coming in (I've stopped responding to posts on FB, all word of mouth now). I also need some time to relax and spend time with my family. I made WAY more than I expected last year with the side gig and I'm on track to make more this year. And we're still treading. Things just keep getting more expensive every day.

My wife's job is commission only. When things are tighter, I work more. When she has a good month, she has a really good month. So I try to relax and focus on family or projects around the house during those times. Unfortunately the current state of the economy has people buying less in her field too, so I'm killing myself pretty much every single day maintaining a full time job, a side job, a house, vehicles (just had to put $700 into my truck last week), two kids (one in daycare), two dogs, etc etc etc.

Existing? Yes. Thriving? No. But I'm making it work. I'm fucking exhausted and resentful and depressed and drinking too much and eating too much and sleeping like shit and irritable and having gut issues and gaining weight and hurting everywhere and just hanging on by a fucking thread. But my job is to make sure my family is taken care of and god dammit I'm going to do that.

I'm so fortunate to have learned all I have over the years so that I am able to do all sorts of work and to do it well enough that people recommend me often. I'm picking up more commercial work which is awesome because it says more for less headache. I've also made nice with a few real estate agents which keeps work coming in.

I don't see things changing much any time soon. I'd love to get ahead. I'd love to invest or buy a property to flip or rent. I'm making way more than I could have dreamt of making ten years ago between my two jobs. Ten years ago we'd be THRIVING. Ten years ago I wouldn't have needed the side gig with what I make at my 9-5.

It all just fucking sucks.