u/Every-Advertising251

Hello all, just a quick question.
I met a girl online last night, and I feel like I’m being manipulated for money possibly.

Long story short, we live relatively close, we seemed to have a great FaceTime conversation last night and seemed on the same page. We agreed to a simple date tomorrow night, I offered to pick up & maybe grab some coffee or something cheap and I was willing to pay.

She did express job loss a couple weeks ago, and how it’s been tough. Definitely talked a lot and told a life story a little bit.

Today she had a “panic attack” over her power possibly being cutoff.
Didn’t ask me directly for anything, but I pretty much just empathized with her and said wish I could help more, that if she called DSS they potentially offer utility assistance.

I started to get a little weirded out and reduced my response times some, I was initially really excited about this date so it was probably a pretty clear pattern disruption.
She then expressed someone loaned her the majority, she just needed $100 but still didn’t ask for it directly. After no response, she said it was taken care of and sorry about freaking out.

I responded that I’m glad she got it taken care of and haven’t responded back, she occasionally is messaging me as before I was quick to respond.

….I feel like I’m being manipulated here for money. Am I misreading possibly?

Thanks!

Hello all,

I just wanted to seek some advice from people.
I’ve always dreamed of owning my own business and being my own boss.
I’ve been an automotive technician for 10 years, I’ve got welding experience and a small welder (albeit not well practiced welder currently) and I’ve got some various experience in random other things, light appliance repair etc.

I have a few questions first:

Starting out, with a limited customer base, do you go ahead and establish a business with insurance? I don’t have tons of money to throw at a potentially expensive insurance every month.
Part of the reason I want to work for myself is you get paid peanuts in today’s economy, despite making a “good” wage.

I currently don’t have a lot of interest in flipping cars. But besides mobile mechanic what are some other unique skill sets I could potentially tap into? Maybe things I haven’t thought of? I met someone who does custom interior work, he makes a killing doing it himself. I don’t have his skill sets, but because he’s so unique he’s hard to compete with around here.

How do you ensure you’re paid? Do you get paid after the service like a store front, or do you ask for advance to avoid people trying to rip you off?

Is there any advice or other things I should be aware of? I tend to be an overthinker, so I feel part of it is me holding myself back due to worrying about outcomes, but also being a mechanic I know it’s such a dodgy field sometimes as far as what you can get yourself into.

Thanks!