What do you do in the slow season for $$?

[1HVACOWNER]

Hello, I am a 1 man service co. Due to a back issue I cannot install any longer so I just do repair and service now (I like doing this type of work vs installs). Here in North Carolina I have kept records for the past 10 years and 65-70% of my income comes during summer months... During spring/fall after pm's are done im dead. Im used to working 12-14 hr days in summer to keep up then it dies off. What do you guys do for money (NOT HVAC RELATED) either on the side or during off season? Im looking for a 2nd income source, and im a bit burned out looking at HVAC systems every day since I was 14 with my fathers business (Im now 42). Thanks.

[clifpaul]

I've been collecting aluminum cans and other scrap and selling it.

[Tommy knocker]

Delivering pizza a few nights a week will keep cash on hand if you budget and save when your busy for when your not. It's easy and kinda fun.

[Cooked]

Sometimes I sell crack. There's a thriving market in Houston.

[2sac]

Sometimes I sell crack. There's a thriving market in Houston.

Funny, because I buy crack and rob liquor stores. Wanna form a partnership?

[Cooked]

Funny, because I buy crack and rob liquor stores. Wanna form a partnership?

LMAO, sure. I'd bet in that specific context the Chicagoland Area and the Houston Area have whole bunches of stuff in common.

[mark beiser]

I've had guaranteed minimum 30hr/week pay for so long, I almost forgot what I used to do when there were no calls for days at a time this time of year.

Mostly I used to deliver pizza, but I also used to put most of my overtime pay into 6 month CDs in the summer as a way to lock away savings for the super slow times.

For those who have difficulty actually saving the money in their savings account, short term CDs are a good way to keep yourself from spending money on stupid stuff.
Unfortunately, the rates are so low on them these days, that you don't make anything off of them. If rates were any lower, you would have to pay THEM to use your money for a few months.

[Cooked]

Mark, you come across to me as a remarkably insightful sponge. Why didn't you become an engineer?

[Tiger93rsl]

[mark beiser]

Why didn't you become an engineer?

After passing the qualification tests for the Navy's nuclear school, I was shot in a hunting accident that left me with an inner ear problem that disqualified me from the Navy.
My first try at a real college program ended badly because I was to academically undisciplined, and just plain lazy.
A few years later, after fighting the law and losing, I was doing roofing and remodeling work. Someone I worked for told me I was to smart to be doing that for a living, and recommended HVAC work.
I did exceptionally well in the college HVAC program I went through, but never continued my formal education.

Thanks for making me reflect on my life, now I'm depressed.

[ryan1088]

After passing the qualification tests for the Navy's nuclear school, I was shot in a hunting accident that left me with an inner ear problem that disqualified me from the Navy.
My first try at a real college program ended badly because I was to academically undisciplined, and just plain lazy.
A few years later, after fighting the law and losing, I was doing roofing and remodeling work. Someone I worked for told me I was to smart to be doing that for a living, and recommended HVAC work.
I did exceptionally well in the college HVAC program I went through, but never continued my formal education.

Thanks for making me reflect on my life, now I'm depressed.

Lol.

Sounds kinda like my college career went. Calculus single handedly derailed my academic career.

[timebuilder]

I'm a stripper at The Villages.

[Joehvac25]

Lol.

Sounds kinda like my college career went. Calculus single handedly derailed my academic career.

I know my calculus, you + me = us lol, that was a boy band spoof song

[Snapperhead]

long list of friends , and they need stuff like plumbing , run a wire for something , change breaker panels , put electricity in a garage or shed , then theres my small engine background , chainsaws and blowers and stuff

[ncboston]

I'm a stripper at The Villages.

I've seen you dance, you should stick to your day job.

[timebuilder]

I've seen you dance, you should stick to your day job.

But the grannies love my speedo!

[ColdBeers]

I've thought more and more about DJing at a strip club while I grow my business...hahahaha.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Before HVAC, I ran a remodeling co; have over 20 years expanding and improving folks homes. Off season I do home repair and minor remodeling.

[pilotlight]

long list of friends , and they need stuff like plumbing , run a wire for something , change breaker panels , put electricity in a garage or shed , then theres my small engine background , chainsaws and blowers and stuff

Are you licensed for that work?
Hey We all have to do what we have to do.

IN the slow season.( seems like all year lately) I clean sewers and drains. Yup licensed to do that also

[jtrammel]

Sometimes I sell crack. There's a thriving market in Houston.

This is exactly what I was going to write when I read the original post...lol