News from Taylor
 

Hey friends.

I don't post near as much as I used to but I do check in most everyday and see what's going on.

Figured I would update on what's been going on for me lately.

Most of you know I work for our local EMS County ran service. I turned 53 in May and have almost 2 years til I am 55. At 55 I can retire and draw the retirement. I will only have 17 years of service at 55 yoa, so that will pay me about 1800 a month. After insurance, and taxes I figure I will have 1000 to 1100 a month.

Last year I bought a new lawnmower for our 5 acres. I bought a commercial Scag 52 inch that cost almost 7k. In my estimation I figured I would buy something that would last for years to come rather than spend a couple grand on something that would be worn out in 3 to 5 years.

I financed the mower for 48 months interest free. After buying it I told the wife that I was going to find 4 or 5 yards to mow to make the mower payment. I got 5 or 6 yards pretty quickly and was making 400 per month or so for the first month and a half. Sitting at home on a Sunday I got a phone call from a friend that has had a lawn service for the last 5 years. He told me he was going to have to get out of the business because of family obligations and asked me if I wanted his lawn care customers. I told him sure I would be glad to have them. From what I understand most of the time people sell them for 3 to 6 months of the revenue they bring in per month so that was a plum deal. He took me around and introduced me to the clients and I took them over in August of last year. There were about 20 solid customers with a few that call when needed since they don't have the money for regular service.

I was making almost 2k per month through last summer into November. These aren't annual contracts, just service during the season. Started back up with almost 100% of the customers I had and have now added quite a few. I am up to about 4.5K per month, which is actually more than I make at my "full-time" job. It keeps me quite busy but the money is great. It is my plan to retire at 55 and keep this going until I am unable to do it anymore. I have bought another Scag in 61 cut as well and hopefully soon I will be buying a large enclosed trailer to haul all my equipment at once.

To put this in perspective- I have had a license to sell life and health insurance since 1997. I made very good money selling medicare insurance the first year, but after that it went down every year afterward and I haven't sold insurance in several years now. I have a Security Officers License and worked security armed and unarmed on the side but that only pays about 10 to 12 per hour. I have a Private Investigator License and worked for a guy for two years as an intern. He paid me $20 per hour but the problem with that is you have to drive your auto and buy the gas and it was never for more than a few hours so I was really not making much at the end of the day.

I charge about $40 per hour for the Lawncare. After gas and equipment it's still probably about the best money I have made on a side job. Once I retire from EMS and can do it full-time I can probably make more than I make annually in EMS, and only work 8 or 9 month's a year to do it.

I don't know what the future holds because plans sometimes have to change to fit circumstances but that's what I am planning.

Re: News from Taylor
 

Sounds like things are going good Greg, glad to hear!

Re: News from Taylor
 

It's hot and sweaty, dusty and all that, but I work for myself. It keeps me busy but coming from the EMS side for the last 15 years, it will probably keep me healthier because I was out of shape. It almost killed me for the first month or 2, but now I am tougher. LOL. And it's been very hot here this summer too so if you're gonna be stupid you gotta be tough Mike. LOL

Re: News from Taylor
 

That's great, Greg. Thanks for sharing. Prayers for God's continued blessings on you and your family.

Re: News from Taylor
 

Good to hear Double G!....sounds like you gotta solid plan!

Re: News from Taylor
 

I appreciate that Joe. Even in the things that were tough or hard in my life I can look back (and even during them) and see that God has been so good to our family over my life.
Thanks Keith!!!!! I need to borrow some money to expand brother, help a guy out. LOL

Re: News from Taylor
 

Outstanding, Mr. Gainey!

Re: News from Taylor
 

Very cool! It’s good to hear things are working out for you. I hope you are able to make time for a cigar or two!

Re: News from Taylor
 

You've really turned a little side gig into a solid long-term plan, Greg! Good on ya, I am happy for you. :tu

Re: News from Taylor
 

Love when good things happen to good people, not enough of that in the world anymore, Congrats!

Re: News from Taylor
 

If I had realized how much money people will pay for you to cut their grass I woulda been side giggin the crap out of some Lawncare for the whole 15 years I been working EMS. Coulda probably retired for good by now. LOL. Thanks Tom.

Re: News from Taylor
 

Good for you Greg. Working outdoors and shaping up is great. I know it's not my business so I won't ask. For your thoughts, is there any benefit to staying with EMS in order to get a bigger pension? You'll always collect the pension while on the sunny side of the dirt. Hopefully it won't happen but as you age it may be difficult to keep up the physical part of landscaping.:2
Just food for thought. I wish you the best.:llp

Re: News from Taylor
 

Hey Uncle Cat (lol). Yeah you are probably right but......

I am getting weary of going out in the middle of the night for stubbed toes and being a glorified cab ride to the ER for the most ridiculous things. Plus management and the county government has let this department go downhill and employ people that frankly I can't work with a few of them anymore. I will tough it out for a couple years and the plans can always change. I am going to keep my licenses up so I can always do something if need be. I have a friend that owns his own insurance agency and he has told me numerous times that there will always be a place for me to work with him. I have options which I thank the Lord for.

Re: News from Taylor
 

Greg: As You Know, The Medical Field Jobs Have Gotten Tougher & Tougher. Landscaping Seems To Be A Great Choice For You, My Friend!:tu. Prayers Sent For You & Your Family!:tu

Re: News from Taylor
 

Your business is in its infancy and growing. Good for you. Think of how many lawns you'll have in 3-5 seasons and then selling them to the next entity down the road.

Re: News from Taylor
 

Moses is right. Build your business and sell it for a boatload someday.:tu