Here's my situation. I work at a job I am starting to LOATHE. I don't get 40 hours a week except for maybe 10 weeks out of the year. It's almost like someone has to die for me to advance. Getting my drift? Not a happy man.

A long time ago, I trained as a masseur. I am really good at it. I got into giving my parents neck and back rubs as a kid to help the arthritis in them, and also the arthritis in my wrists/hands. When I was down in Texas, I went to school and got a certificate from them.

I used to pick up extra money doing it, and stopped about 15 years ago when I became a cop. The going rate for a masseur up here is about $60-70 for a 50 minute hour. I could make as much in just 10 hours as I did at my current job.

I have lived in this little one (really small) horse town for 5+ years, and have had about 30 lady friends and acquaintences ask me for a massage, and then, when done, ask me why I wasn't doing it for a living.

Most of the ladies I spoke of told me they'd get a massage from me at least once a month or so.. If that was the limit of my clientelle, I couldn't do it.. But.. word of mouth in a small town can make or break any business.

What I'm getting at is this.. Am I daft for wanting to leave a job I dislike, but has bennies for a job that pays well, w/o any bennies?

I would start the massage business but not quit my day job just yet, see how it goes...Just because people say they will do something, doesn't mean they will

Questions to ask yourself: would you still love it if you were doing it day in/day out, because you had to, not because you wanted to? Can you afford to live without benefits? If something happens, health-wise, are you prepared? Other options, is the massage thing something you can do part-time? Doing both jobs, if possible, might give you the best of both worlds, keeping your benefits with the one job, but giving you something you enjoy with more money as the 2nd? Which is more important to you, stability or enjoyment of your job? (Yes, that's a legitimate question, ultimately everyone would like both but in many cases, it's simply not possible) You mentioned arthritis in your hands, is giving massages full-time something that would aggravate your own arthritis and potentially make it worse?

Just some suggestions of things to think about.

Giving a massage to ladies for money can have benefits,if you know what I mean. be seeing you

I would try it as a side job for right now and see just how many clients you could pick up. Benefits are important and just because some extra money can be made by starting this, will it be enough to cover a medical expense should one arise.

My brother-in-law started his own construction company with his brother and the cost of medical benefits are outrageous as a business owner.


BTW...my neck has been bothering me......

Try to find a health club who would let you "freelance" for a few hours in your spare time e.g week-ends, from there you could build up a client list.Maybe advertise once you have gained some more experience.

Very sage words from bonnymiss