On Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:22:15 -0500, Gary > wrote:

> Dave Smith wrote:
> >
> > On 2015-12-30 22:29, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > >
> > > I often contract or buy services of labor. I can get unskilled temp
> > > workers for $13 but skilled workers range from $60 to $110 per hour plus
> > > travel time.
> > >
> > > I know people that think they are worth $20 to $50 salary but don't want
> > > to pay more than minimum wage if they hire anyone to work for them.
> >
> > We hired a local handyman to to do some work on our kitchen last year.
> > He had to do some repairs to the ceiling and then prime and paint it,
> > and he did some carpentry work and replaced some ceramic tiles. He
> > worked from 9-4:30 and charged $125 per day. He did excellent work. I
> > will gladly hire him again and have no problems recommending him to
> > friends.
>
> This is your "underground economy" at work. That fellow is not
> running a business or paying taxes on that pay. He's probably retired
> and just after some extra pocket cash. You either pay him in cash or
> if by check, he cashes it and says nothing.
>
> No real business can survive on $125 per day gross income.

Forget the business. How can a single person can do more than couch
surf at that rate, when they live in or near an urban area?

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sf