I have been at a crossroads
I am undecided about what I am going to do here
When we first decided, around October 2018, that we would move back to the USA, I was not quite sure what I would do here as far as my work. A month or two later, I thought I knew for sure.
I started hearing about Retail Arbitrage (I talked about it in the article linked at the left), and I had done some very similar things in the 90s. I was very good at it too, and it is fun and interesting to me. Now, I am unsure. I will go into more detail about that shortly.
But, basically, I am really having a tough time settling in on exactly what I want to do here.
If I am unsure, why did we move to the States?
Well, it was originally my wife, Feyma‘s idea. We had both talked about it for several years, but in the end, I knew that she really wanted to make the move, and she had good reasons. As I considered the move, thought about the options, I started getting excited to return to the USA as well, so I said: “Let’s do it”.
One of our primary reasons for making the move is that we thought it would be a really good thing for our son, Chris. It has turned out to be very good for him, you can read about that at Chris in the USA.
Additionally, our two other sons, Aaron, and Jared, already live here in the States. Aaron is in Atlanta, and Jared is in Alaska. So, having all of the family in closer proximity is a good thing.
So, all of us are really happy that we made the move.
But, what will I do for work?
I don’t want to go get a “real job”. I’ve been working from him, doing various “gig” type things since 1991. I can’t imagine going to get a traditional job. The type of work I do is really location independent. Wherever I live, as long as I have a workable office (at home or elsewhere), a computer, and a few tools of my trade, I can make a living. That, I am not worried about.
I am, however, a bit tired of a lot of the things that I’ve been doing for so long.
Writing
I enjoy writing. I find it relaxing and cathartic for me. I will, for sure, continue writing. But, I will likely write on different topics that I have been for the past decade or two. I just have to find the niche that I want to write about.
Newspaper Column?
I have been thinking about and pursuing to some extent getting a newspaper column. I have a good idea for that, and I think I can sell it. I plan to pursue this more.
I am not really ready to reveal my idea/topic yet, but as I get more into this, if it works out you will hear more!
In the Philippines, I had a column in our local Newspaper, SunStar Davao, for several years, and I enjoyed it. I’d like to do it here too.
Websites
Part of the writing that I want to do, even if I am able to become a newspaper columnist, would involve websites, especially this one. In fact, this website has some relation to what I want to do a Newspaper Column about. So, no matter what, you can read my thoughts on the web.
Books
I have written many books over the years. My first book was in 1991, and I have written more than 200 books since then.
I want to write more books, but again, in a different niche than before. I think I might start out by writing a book about repatriation since that is a big part of my life right now. Since I am still going through that process, I would probably want to wait a bit before writing about it. I am still experiencing a lot of changes and even challenges, and those should be part of the book
Since some of my current titles are popular, and the information will go stale over time, I will continue to keep those up to date.
Language Courses
While living in the Philippines, I learned to speak Bisaya (also known as Cebuano). After learning the language, I developed a course for others to learn. It is a language for which you can find very few learning resources, so my course sells well. I offer it both on my own website, and on Amazon.
Because the language course sells well, I have come to realize that I am missing some opportunities by not offering other study materials for the language, so I have decided to work on that. However, doing this work is more of a “do it once and sell it forever” type thing. Once I have the work done, I don’t have to keep working much on it.
So, I will be working on this (actually I am already working on it), expanding my offerings, and then move on to other things.
But, what about Retail Arbitrage
So, I mentioned earlier that I thought that I was going to really get back into retail arbitrage once I got here. I really want to do that. I am good at it (my background is in retail), but I see some drawbacks.
- Away from home. I can see that if I did this the way I would want to, I would spend a fair amount of time out on the road sourcing products. I like to travel, but I also like, even more, spending time with my wife. I am not sure I want to spend significant time away from home, even if that means only a few days each week.
- Transportation. Right now, because of an issue with my eyesight, I can’t really drive. As I mentioned in #1, I would need to spend some time on the road, and I really cannot do that right now because of my eye problem.
So, what am I going to do?
Well, I am still trying to decide. I know some of what I will do, but I am the type that doesn’t like to limit myself to just one or two things. I like developing multiple streams of income. I like diversity in what I am doing. I like diversity in what makes money. I feel it adds to security, and it also keeps my interest in those things.
So, the things that I am sure I am going to do, as I’ve said, are:
- Continue Writing
- Further Language Course development
Some other things that I am likely to do:
- Pursue Retail arbitrage on a smaller, local scale.
- Watch for wholesale possibilities for product lines that I can sell on Amazon.
I believe that these things (what I will do for sure combines with what I am likely to do) would give me a nice mix of things to keep me busy and also keep making a good income.
So, what do you guys think? Am I thinking along the right lines? Share your thoughts!
Cy
Bob,
Buying products wholesale might be a better option for you than retail arbitrage. The Wholesale Formula is a course that teaches you how to do it. You can order products directly from the brand owners and have them shipped to a prep center before being shipped to Amazon. You never even have to see the inventory.
The course is only open a couple of times a year.
https://go.thewholesaleformula.com/
(not an affiliate link)
Bob Martin
Interesting that you should bring up the wholesale formula, I did there free seminar, and have been considering the course. I do think they have a good formula going there, and it is quite interesting. I am actually seeking some wholesale opportunities, which I did point out in the article. Thanks for the suggestion.
Tony Keller
Hi Bob,
I’m of two minds about the retail arbitrage video.
I find it fascinating that someone has the getup and go to run around for twenty-four hours picking up something to sell. Capitalism at its best. Not something I would try here in Butte since the next town with a Walmart is over an hour away. Probably take me 48 hours to hit ten stores here.
On the other hand as a consumer, I would be upset to find that someone was using my local Walmart as a wholesale outlet. Thus depriving me as a retail buyer from finding the advertised products at the local store. That’s why a lot of grocery stores limit coupon purchases – not because they don’t want to sell all they have in stock, but because they want regular customers to get a chance to purchase them (and not get angry when they aren’t there on the shelf.)
I wouldn’t be upset at all about having happen at Costco or Sam’s though since both are kind of retail outlets.
As I said, I’m torn between the two side so the issue. If I take a step back I can see where this is analogous to the gig economy. I’m being paid well to be a totally at risk employee supplying my own computer, desk, etc., but at the same time I’m taking up the slot of somebody who would like to be a full time employee.
I’m interested to see what end up doing. I’m betting it will surprise me as much as retail arbitrage did and be just as interesting.
Tony
Bob Martin
Hi Tony,
I also find retail arbitrage fascinating. I’ve done it before, back in the 90s, before “retail arbitrage” even existed.
I don’t have a problem with people going and buying what they want at Walmart or other stores. Walmart puts stuff out on the shelf for people to buy. If they advertise a limit on the number to be purchased, OK, but that is not the case on any of the things I have seen. Walmart wants to sell things, those who do RA pay the price that is being asked. I don’t see anything wrong with that.
I have some plans that have firmed up, and I will be sharing those soon. They do involve Amazon sales, and some Retail Arbitrage, but not to a big extent with the RA.
Take care, my friend.
Tony Keller
I was recently reminded of a new business item you might not have heard about. I’m talking about Square, a credit card processor. I think it’s 2.5% no matter which card you use. The really cool idea is that it’s mobile. You plug it into your smart phone so you can process a card anywhere.
Tony
Bob Martin
Hi Tony – Thanks for the recommendation. I currently use Stripe, and it offers me those same things. So far I’ve been happy with Stripe, but if I am ever dissatisfied I will keep Square in mind!