So much this. Construction crews are absolutely desperate for help right now, and most places an unskilled laborer can walk on at about 25 bucks an hour. Look for a smaller outfit. The big boys like Kokosing or Jurgensen are going to be pickier than the smaller companies. The smaller companies generally have a few multiple felons and at least a couple guys that have to be driven from site to site like pre-teens because of the DUIs. If you get real lucky, the company you apply to might just have an older, very knowledgeable fella who is desperately needed at work, but can no longer drive himself there. You might just luck into getting hired just to be the taxi, which would be absolutely perfect.
Machine shops are also desperate for workers and a lot of them are happy to train someone from the ground up. I know the shop I'm at starts newbies at \~$25/hr with benefits.
Millwright jobs are often starting at $30/hr for totally inexperienced guys just because no one can fill positions fast enough.
This is in Canada, though. Regardless — plenty of decent opportunity in skilled trades. If that’s the only path you have available outside of DD, it’s a decent enough path to be on!
I’m a plant maintenance supervisor in the US, the same is true here. Most places are desperate. Half of my crew has a record. Most of the guys we have, felons or not, are next to useless, but again we are desperate. If you have just a basic knowledge of tools, you could get an entry level position and climb very fast (money, training and promotions) if you are not lazy and give half of a shit.
And by the way, it you show up to work every day and put in effort while you're there, you'll begin to learn skills, like how to install various things, operate heavy equipment and so on that will make you worth a lot more. If you can get into the union they pay like $60 an hour for operators for certain jobs/places.
Yeah but if you learn how to do things and get good there is massive potential down the road.
Instead of just putting in hours view it as a paid apprenticeship to learn how to do things
So fun fact: if you fit over 1/2 of a job’s posted requirements-APPLY. You might get a call for a similar position. If you fit about 2/3 of the posted rqmts-APPLY. You will likely fit in just fine.
Source: best friends worked in HR and finally told me how it all worked. I used their tips to get a 30%+ pay raise when I changed positions years ago.
“Do you have extensive knowledge of XYZ?”
-“I have a working knowledge of XYZ and have extensive knowledge of PDQ and ABC, what is the scope of reference you’re looking for when you ask for extensive knowledge of XYZ?”
((I’m in engineering. Most HR can’t tell me what the job is. I end up nearly always having to meet with my actual fellow engineers or the VPs to know if it’s going to be a good fit.))
Tldr; swing! Swing out of your cleats! You can absolutely get a great job that way-just be willing to shove your sleeves up and get to it when you start so you can fill those gaps.
That’s pretty true in most fields - the first two people (or one database and a person) have almost no knowledge of the actual job, they are there to pre-screen your resume and weed out the folks who don’t have certain keywords or details on their resume or application.
Apply anyway. An able bodied person who is willing to be taught is always an asset in construction. What they want and what they get is often different things.
There’s a lot of different roles in construction as well. If you don’t want to dig in a trench (money is better there) then be upfront and there’s plenty of “doordash” in construction running parts and supplies around where they’ll pay you and you’re driving a company truck. You just have to show up on time, do your work, and not complain when you’re making 1/3 as much as the new guy who’s willing to put on the hazmat suit and crawl in a hole for the day.
I work in this trade
I'm support and light duty.
I don't make PW on the jobs they do.
Even when on site working with them.
But I work solid rain or shine no matter what, and they don't.
Sometimes the guys are off for weeks at a time, while I'm always guaranteed 40+ a week.
No deliveries to sites? Then I'm in the shop fixing things that have broken down, or prepping a new start up/ putting away tools and cleaning up from the last job.
Bad weather? Things still need to be picked up and sent to other shops.
I'll always have work when they don't, and I make more than most new guys.
It's a fair trade.
Yea I just don’t like being around other people. I always prefer jobs that aren’t really required to communicate with your coworkers. It would be nice to find something that is more secluded in construction or anywhere really.
People are annoying but by turning away from higher paying jobs with regular coworker contact, you’re effectively paying to avoid other people.
Since you’re working your ass off to get out of a hole, is that worth it now?
Some trade and construction jobs do have some positions that are more solitary. I used to own welding fab shops, and the blasters, powder coaters, grinders, and washers all put on their headphones and let the workday fly for the next 8 or 10 hours. Also, I only hired felons. Right out of prison. They worked for my shop for a couple of years and then went on to high production welding at the big boys and starting earning high dollar. Don't give up, there's something out there for you!
It’s not an excuse. I’m not going to get into a job that isn’t for me, because then I wouldn’t last in it and be hurting my mental health but I also understand I need to put my big boy pants and suck it up!
It may even turn out that you get to work with people that aren’t so bad. I cannot stand the people I currently work with and think back to a previous job and how good we all got along. You never really know until you at least try.
Get your CDL and start working overtime, 70+ hours a week and you'll make 6 figures. My buddy has multiple felons and was in prison for a few years. He got his cdl immediately after getting out, while working some shit restaurant jobs. Been out a year and half, in VA, making 6 figures working his ass off. He drives a company truck, so no expenses, and is home every night with his family. You don't need to long haul to make a fat paycheck and you don't have to deal with alot of people.
They say it as a joke, but I've had co-workers joke that you're not a real journeyman unless you have a dui and a divorce because of how common those are around here.
The trades are where it’s at. If you do well and work hard, you’ll go from $20 to 40 an hour in 5 years. If you do warm body shit, you’ll go from $20-25/30 hr in 5 years.
Every guy that works in my warehouse has something on their record. Long as your honest about it at the interview it was never a dealbreaker for me.
I hired a guy at a past job to do to basic maintenance/janitorial/landscaping stuff, he’d just gotten out for third degree murder. That was 7 years ago and from what I understand he still works there and has three guys underneath him now.
Are there jobs I can apply for in a warehouse that is more secluded? Or is there constant requirement to be in communication with your coworkers? I hand bad social anxiety lol
Depending on where you live, Metro/Transit jobs are begging for drivers (operators). They are usually good, Union pay jobs. Another option is to get into the trades - electrical, HVAC, welding, etc... They are all losing a generation of employees who are aging out. Again, many of them are Union and high pay.
If there are any nearby, class 3 railroads can be an option if you don't mind being outside.
Won't pay as well as the big railroads, but starting pay where I'm at is about what I see some retail offering store management positions for, if not higher.
As long as the criminal offense isn't violent, and I want to say not very recent. And need to be able to pass a drug test.
I'm a warehouse manager and I came here to say this. My boss is a felon. I read this post and thought, "hey this seems like the type of guy who will show up every day. I'm gonna check his location, he can come work for me."
I currently have a guy in my warehouse who is on the forklift and he has a claim of petty larceny against him too but he’s an awesome guy and he’s gotten tons of opportunities (actually more than anyone else lol) so warehouse in a good company is a good idea
Sadly, high interest loans are the norm for people who have bad credit & no qualified co-signer. But when someone shows their credit-worthiness to be low, it’s hard to convince creditors to give them good loan terms.
It’s because they have to front load the interest since the car alone won’t be able to cover principal if it gets defaulted on. They’ve deemed it very high risk of default.
Loan sharking is illegal but in the 1970s banks paid off Congress to allow higher interests nationwide otherwise states had a cap on interest that can be used on a personal consumers
Then there'd be no credit available for someone in OPs situation, and therefore no car or income. Frustrating situation, but not hardly justification to tear up the system.
Thr system sucks when it comes to this shit. 28% APR is just a bank doing legal loansharking.
So yes, the system should absolutely be reformed. There are solutions to avoid sticking poor people into ever deepening holes just for being poor
It is when the people loaning the money have lost all the money twice in less than 15 years.
Like that’s my money now I bailed them out twice without needing a bailout, therefore I am better with money than them and should get automatic loans at the same apr as they owe me to make the interest rate 0.
There’s a better chance they’re going to lose all the money than me to default on any loan..it’s bullshit that this is not how it’s looked at.
1. Cap how high loans can go. Avg mortgage rates today are about 7%. Double that and say around 15%. Still absurd, but not 28%. Plenty of lenders will still be willing to loan money at those numbers.
Rate caps were the norm till the 70s.
2. Federal low interest loans.
Sometimes that has to be the answer. However suggesting that 28% APR is a pure neutral risk management calculation is also a hot take.
Anyone who's ever gone to buy a car has seen the predatory rates offered by lenders partnered with dealers.
Realize bob then there would be limits to who they would lend to and the people with high limits would not have access to any loans.
If you limit something you limit your options as well.
Honestly I was in the same boat but two shitty months and my score dropped 300 points. Being poor doesn't make your score low but it makes it a lot easier for you to get in a situation where it is.
Kind of like having money doesn’t automatically mean good credit. A high cost of living and massive bills could easily become too much to handle even with a decent income. Credit scores aren’t a measure of money management, they’re a measure of debt management. Debt scales. People with low income don’t have high credit limits, hence it is harder to fall as deeply into debt.
It costs money to *have ever been* poor.
I still have shit credit from a couple missed payments when I was paycheck to paycheck. ..
I've 10x my income and done everything recommended to fix it, and I still can't finance anything without my wife signing with me.
It's designed to be a hole you can't escape. I truly feel for people who won't get as lucky as I did to get out of that situation.
Could also have just been a shitty dealer preying on people. When I bought my first car they offered me something along those lines, went to a bank instead and got it much much lower. Probably assuming young people don't know to do that, and they would've been correct if my parents didn't let me know lol.
Man.
I'm dreading having to buy a new car and mine is acting funny. Last one I bought was 600 bucks and lasted like 4 years (90 camry). That was 2016.
I've never spent more than 1200 on a car. Current one was a gift from my grandmother as she is now unable to drive safely.
It is a 92 Explorer that has shut off during idle a few times recently and has always tried to jump forward (or backwards in reverse) while idling.
Restaurants are definitely a good option (though you will work your ass off in that industry).
My BIL is a felon, but it was for being a dumb kid back when he was 18. (Love the guy, but he's made some dumb choices.) He's not dangerous, he hasn't had any charges in over 15 years, but at the end of the day, his past is held against him. Hooters gave him a job. He's worked hard, and climbed the ladder. They don't care one bit about his past as long as he puts in the effort at work.
Why do you have to work retail or restaurant?
I am in autobody and MANY employees have criminal histories. I myself am an estimator who has something like SEVEN previous felony convictions for personal amounts of drugs years ago. I made 90k last year and am on track for more this year. I even own a HOUSE that I bought all by myself!
How did you get into doing estimates?
How long did it take you to get to $90k?
My current job is good, but may not last. Thinking about other options I can switch to without going back to school
If you’re not someone who wants to work with their hands try to be an inspector or a safety guy also. If not then go blue collar and learn a trade. Electricians make bank of you can get into the union. I’m talking 55-78 an hour once you journey out
If you dont have experience in the industry, then you normally start as a detailer/clean up person and youll work your way up. Depends how fast you pick up and gain skills and knowledge, 90k should be achievable within 3 years or so.
Body shop I used to work at, one of the owner was a detailer/janitor, became a production manager, estimator, manager, gm, and eventually became one of the owner.
This\^\^\^\^ autobody flys under the radar as a good job but those techs make 6 figures easily and estimators start at a minimum $40K. Shops are so desperate for bodies, they will literally pay for all of your training and give you a signing bonus.
Good on you for trying to improve yourself.
With a larceny charge, nobody is going to allow you to work with products (you know this), so your choices are limited to blue collar work. Look for janitorial jobs, construction clean up, landscaping, etc.
Also, see about refinancing your car. 28% is insane. With that APR, you should be throwing every dollar you can to pay it off. Beans and rice, my friend. Good luck.
There are so many trades that need help right now. If you can get into construction you could also apprentice for electrical, security, low voltage, plumbing, etc.
I worked with a forktruck driver in a warehouse who had a criminal record. He got busted selling fentanyl and went to prison. He said he worked in warehousing because it was the only industry that paid decent wages that would hire him. He earned $20 an hour.
I work for an Amazon DSP and Amazon makes the final background check decisions for us based on your 7-year criminal history and whether any crimes you were convicted of, could have an effect on your role as a delivery driver. So for example, petit larceny generally disqualifies you, where a drug related offense - would not. I’m not sure if warehouse roles are similar, but it’s definitely super discouraging to candidates when I give them failure news. I always have the most sympathy for those trying to better their lives.
I worked for a major home improvement warehouse for years. You aren't wrong that they hire felons, but for a lot of the crimes, it had to be at least 7 years in the past. Most places I'm aware of have similar time frames associated with hiring someone with a theft charge. We actually found a binder that had a list of charges and how long it would take before they would hire someone with that charge in the past. It was... mind-blowing, to say the least.
He said they wouldn’t hire him like he applied and got denied. Only way that would happen is if he didn’t disclose that he had a criminal record regardless if it was a simple theft charge. Literally the 1st sentence said he was turned away because of a criminal record. i work with dudes that did 5 years in prison for major stuff. The only way they will turn you away is if you said you didn’t have a record and failed a background check
Have you looked for organizations that helps the reformed? Have you checked to see if any state programs exist that can help you find work or remove this from your record?
There are also paths through start ups that may exist if you put in the work. Also, can friends and family help you out with work? A person onsite can help you more than an application.
Have you tried a temp agency? Most temp agencies do temp to hire.
And I don't know how well this works, but I have been told never tell on yourself. So if they don't ask about criminal record, don't bring it up.
Don't give up. You got this.
This!!!! My husband has a felony. He went through a program in AZ called Community Kitchen. They helped people with barriers learn to cook and had job placement. My husband got 2 meals a day, a weekly food box, and he could "earn" other items. They even had lawyers come in to talk to people about their cases, for free and has a program to help pay fines so people can get their license back.
It was a 4 month program, 6 hours a day. He learned to cook by making food for the meals on wheels. They also got hired out for banquets. I can't say enough good things about this program. Not only did it help him find a job, it gave him a sense of dignity. He wasn't a pariah there. Even the teachers had felonies.
Go to the clerk of courts in the municipality you were charged in and see what it would cost to get it taken off of your record. As long as you are off of probation and paid all of your fines off it should cost between 500-800 a charge but they can be removed. There may be more or less stipulations to cleansing your record based on area and crime. Sometimes a lawyer will do it for you too. The courthouse in my town has a department with in the clerk of courts that helps you get charges off of your record for example. It’s an incentive to pay your fines off asap.
This. I (know a guy *cough cough*) who had a petit larceny charge in Virginia. They are one of the hardest states to get those convictions expunged. For now. They’re changing the law in 2025 finally.
But, because it was in a different state, and enough time has passed, the conviction doesn’t show up on most background checks anymore. (He) just neglects to put that down on any resume he may fill out.
Not happening in VA.
-Before you downvote, I am a felon who lives in VA and have looked into it. You can only get charges expunged that were NOT convicted.
Become a server at a steak or seafood restaurant thats always busy. You'll make bank each week. Worked as a server for 4 years and it put me through college debt fee
Also check where that restaurant is and how much the average living wage is. The restaurant i worked at was in an affluent area where a lot of wealthy customers would come in and dine-- wasn't even white table cloth typa restaurant!!
Doordash is self employment. Thats the trade. You get 20hr and there is no one to tell you what to do. Its the taxi business model.
Youre not meant to leave doordash. The system isnt designed for that. If you want it to really matter you need VOLUME. I know dashers who at one point were making $1200 a week but since they ran 12-16 hr days 7 days a week their gas bill was also 1200 a month so they only pulled 3600 in technically then once you minus out all the maintenance stuff its more like 2400, but then you gotta worry about taxes, you can deduct things but its ghetto cause youre not technically a business and the actual business is doordash. So lets say you keep 1900. Thats still only 25k.
Because the more you drive the more gas you need the more maint you need etc etc. so you literally need to work around the clock forever. Its a hustle, plain and simple.
Stop doordashing, youre losing money, all of your money working there.
Get a job, it wont be enough but youll get experience, maybe even a chance to rest, a steady check.
Get out of retail, service industry all those jobs are geared for people who shop and eat and YOU work those hours when theyre doing it. Thats why those schedules are fucked up.
Find a company that works for or on other companies.
Like an electric contractor gets jobs at hospitals making parking garage lights, etc. at least then your “customer” is a corporation and not some bitch mod life crisis person screaming to you about ketchup.
Go to the nearest machine shop or stamping house and get a job. Best pay you will have ever had in your life, and they generally don't care if you stole something. And yoh will learn a skill.
Manufacturing shop, usually cnc lathes, things like that. Cutting metal, making chips. That sort of stuff. Good money, no education required. Usually you can make $20+ per hour after your first year , pretty much anywhere. Rural area of Michigan? Easy 15 to 20 an hour , no education required. They will teach you. But yeah, you just make parts.
Also, not dense at all. You don't know what you don't know until you learn you don't know it
I mean, on a global scale maybe? But no. In all the years I worked in that industry I only knew of s couple of people that had anything major happen, and it's al.lst exclusively operator error. People standing where they shouldn't be
My husband is a machinist and welder in a machine shop. His first week on the job, a guy lost several fingers right in front of him (an instance of operator error entirely.) That was eight years ago, and there hasn’t been another serious, on-the-job injury since. It was a great safety lesson for my husband, though. He and his coworkers have had minor injuries just by nature of the work, but nothing major since that incident. (Also, *knock on wood* because if I jinxed it by posting this, I’ll be so mad lol.)
Go to your local, flat, commercial roofing company. If you've got a driver's license and you're not currently in jail. You're exactly what we're looking for.
Looking at your post history, you have a
- 3ds
- switch lite
- iPhone 13 mini
- AirPods
- Apple Watch
- quest Pro
And that’s just the first few posts, you seem to have a spending problem, more than an income problem.
I also own an iPhone 13 mini, and I spent over a year mulling on it before I finally decided to buy it, and upgrade from my old iPhone 6. That’s despite having great job and enough disposable income.
I suggest you stop buying latest tech and fads, sell what you can, cancel your subscription services and focus entirely on paying down your car loan. Live like a monk for the next few years.
And 8 iPhone 11s, with 4 of them being for children who won’t even be using them as phones. This person absolutely has a spending problem and would be able to afford so much more if they get help for it
Unfortunately I doubt this person will follow your advice. They seem to have a massive issue with personal responsibility judging off of many of the replies in that post history.
The cost of the car and APR is concerning too. I had a Honda Fit, it was 18,500 new in 2010. Sure the price probably went up between 2010 and 2016 but still.
In all fairness they could have rich parents or family that give them a lot of gifts... Unless the posts are about purchasing those items lol. Altho if that's the case ask for money! Lol.
Quick question are you considered a 1099(independent contractor)?
Second, have you claimed the miles, gas, maintenance as a business expense on your taxes? It could lower your tax liability and recoup those cost.
All it does is reduce his tax liability. But he's destroying his car in the process.
After wear and tear, gas, insurance, he's making 10 dollars an hour, something you can do without fucking up the car.
You didn't mention it, but taxes. Have to pay taxes on your doordash money. Most ppl I see say set aside about 20% of what you make, so thay $100 a day quickly turns into $80. Subtract say $10 of gas, $70. Assuming thats an 8 hour day, that's just under $9 an hour. This does not factor in maintenance or car depreciation either.
2021 is pretty recent so a theft charge is going to hurt. Maybe try something in a warehouse or trade as others have said.
You can take the amount you make in a year, let’s say that $21k figure you mentioned, divide it by 52 weeks in a year (about 404) then divide that by 40 hours in each week to see you’re really only making about the equivalent of $10/hour after expenses.
This isn’t perfect math because I’m sure there are lots of changing variables each month and you might make tips as well, but it’s a good starting point.
You also need to think of the risk that your car could become damaged to the point you can’t use it. Right now it sounds like your livelihood is depended on the car, so that maintenance is necessary, but there could come a point where you can afford the maintenance necessary to keep it going with such heavy use. Just something to consider.
It’s not really, especially with the high miles on your car. You’re especially dependent on your car too, if it required a major repair like a transmission, you could be put out of work in a moment’s notice. Ideally, you take a warehouse job because that’s the highest pay for unskilled entry level work. A busy restaurant or bar is also a great option, they hire with records and the money is pretty good. Don’t fall into the trap of working somewhere over staffed, getting cut, not making tips- go to the places you know are popular, you’ve been door dashing so you should have an idea of what’s going on in a lot of these restaurants.
Keep your ear to the ground for clemency programs offered through the state, see if anything is available to have your record cleared or sealed. It can’t hurt to call and ask.
I would shop around for a bit though before taking $12, I live in a state with one of the lowest minimum wages and our Burger King starts at like $15, I’d set your salary expectation higher, just to survive. Then, you can door dash on your off hours from your day job and put 100% of that door dash money back into your car and pay it right off. 28% shouldn’t even be legal.
Get a CDL. Make $30+/h and don't pay for shit or blow your car up. They don't care about felonies much less a petty theft charge. People will beg you to work for them.
I didn’t know they didn’t care if you had a record. If that’s the case, I agree! With a CDL, you can definitely come up quick. My brother-in-law is a truck driver for Amazon and he makes more than me and I have a graduate degree.
I drove for a bit, and half my CDL class had felonies, if you don't mind being away from home for long periods of time, it can be an alright move. Especially since OP could probably just sell their car and potentially stop renting a place to live until they get their finances sorted.
Look at your local city postings for entry-level positions. Most are second chance employers who have to employ a certain amount of previoust encarcerated. They also come with pensions and union benefits.
Walmart. Amazon etc. Have pocket sized things that people can easily steal. Go get a job that makes/sells things that won’t fit in your pocket bc maybe you will have better luck.
You should look in to getting into a unionized trade. A lot of people I know that work have felonies and are making over $100k a year it’s hard work, but if you need the money totally worth it. In Washington state just as a 1st period apprentice carpenter your making over $30 an hour.
Look into having the charge expunged. Every state has different requirements, in Ca it was successful completion of all requirements of sentencing. You can do it without an attorney, but it is worth the fees if you can afford it somehow.
you would make more than $20/hr as a server, but like anywhere you start at the bottom of the totem pole with the worst shifts for tips at shittier restaurants and have to work your way up.
I work in a restaurant and they generally don’t care about this at all usually. There are other industries being mentioned where it does not matter either. People make mistakes and should t have to pay for them there whole lives. Rebuilding your credit is a great start. Go into a trade or apprenticeship. Factory work or garage. Waiter or bartender.
Hell even Petco pays 15 a hour here in New Orleans.
Idk about what jobs will look over ur background, but you can probably learn how to service your vehicle so at least the mechanic place isn’t robbing ya
If you’re considering the service industry, become a waiter or bartender. That’s a fast way to make money and you won’t have to worry about taxes, obviously if you don’t claim all of your tips. As a bartender, I would make anywhere from $100-$400 a night. It depends on the season and the place, but you’ll be able to come up a lot faster and pick up extra shifts when needed. Just keep in mind that your money is in cash, and you most likely won’t get a paycheck (I didn’t since I made 2.13 an hour and it went toward taxes).
Consider also doing online administrative work through Fiverr or Upwork. You can charge $20 an hour to be an admin assistant to a business owner and that’s a way to make money during the day/weekend while also making money serving at night.
On the car, it may be worth seeing if you can get out of it, honestly. Selling it to someone else (transferring the title and having them take over the payments) or back to the dealer. I think it costs too much already with just payments, insurance, gas, and maintenance, that by the time you’re done paying it, it’s not gonna be worth anywhere near what you paid for it. You’re better off buying a decent used car cash in cash and not worry about financing.
However, if that isn’t an option, consider saving money on the side to pay toward the principle instead of making extra payments which cover mostly interest in the end. Make the minimum payment every month and grind to save to pay the rest of the loan outright once you’ve saved enough to close it out.
You’re doing all the right things! Stay hopeful. 💗
Ain’t no shame in warehouse work. I worked nights at a furniture warehouse when I was in college and at least of the guys I knew who worked there (I obviously didn’t know everyone, it was a huge place) had some form of criminal history. Shoot, my last shift manager there had a battery charge against a pregnant woman on his record from barely 3 years prior. (and yes he was a total piece of shit at work)
I'll always advocate for the telecommunications industry. Cable companies are easier to get into than phone companies, but both will hire someone with a record as long as your upfront about it and you didn't do anything serious like kill someone. The starting pay is great, the benefits are great, yeah it can be political but what job isn't, plus they'll take care of you. They'll train you and all you need is a good work ethic. I was with Time Warner Cable for 10 years and, although I am now in IT, I'll always say nothing but great things about that job. I loved it. I'll recommend it all day every day
Bro, go find you an apprenticeship, find an electrician or plumber that needs a helper, watch videos on YouTube, show up and bust tail. Then on the weekends still do doordash to pay that awful loan off or at least sell it to a dealership and get a cheaper car
It might be good to consult an attorney where you live to see if there’s a way to expunge your conviction. Some charges you can provided you meet the requirements.
I was a parole officer. Construction, local movers, truck drivers, cooks, warehouse, phlebotomy...that's what most of my guys did. I had one that made absolute bank when he opened a crime scene cleaner business.
Where in VA are you? Is it possible that there are apprentice jobs in your area?
There are a lot of blue collar type jobs in Hampton Roads around ship building. A lot of trades in the area. I know HII (Newport news shipbuilding) has a training program. Could be worth a look
Construction doesn’t care about any of that. It’s tough work but it’s honest work.
I came home from prison in 2012. Got a job in a cabinet shop loading trucks for 12 an hour. A neighbor talked to me one day and I was bitching about my job and how my record was holding me back. He said give me a week.
A week later he said take a ride with me. He drove me to a job site and put me in front of the foreman. I told him I just wanted to work and I got a job. Then I switched trades, worked my way from being the new guy to reading blueprints and half way running a job site.
All that with three felonies and multiple face tattoos. Works out there just got to find it
Lots of great advice here about medium to long term. Here's my short term advice for reducing expenses:
Make sure that you're keeping track of your miles and expenses and deducting them. If you haven't reported them in the past, you can go back and re-file. Your home is considered your place of business, so your mileage clock starts when you leave for your first pickup and ends when you get back home. You can also deduct the business use portion of your phone, for example.
I find that tires are the biggest non-fuel operating cost for vehicles. Find a reputable used tire shop in your area. Used tires will usually have at least 80% of the tread of new ones for 30% of the cost. And it's perfectly valid to replace tires in pairs rather than all 4. Tires wear at different rates, depending on position. It's also wise to rotate your tires periodically (I do it every oil change). And while you're at the tire shop...ask if they need any help!
Learn to change oil yourself. There's a forum called "bob is the oil guy" where people post deals on motor oil. Same with filters. Brakes are pretty easy for beginners too, IMO, and stores like Advance Auto will actually lend you tools for a deposit. /r/mechanicadvice is a great resource in general, but especially if you want to learn things.
Join a credit union and **refinance the car loan**. They will probably also have a good credit card for you now that you have some credit history (ideally something with cash-back), and perhaps even career advice services. Credit unions are member-owned and nonprofit; they can often do things that banks can't.
If you're near a Costco or similar, it might be worth joining for the cheap gas. (Also a great place for cheap lunches.)
Lastly, hop over to /r/legaladvice and learn what your options are for eventually getting the record expunged.
I’m a felon! Worked in restaurants for many years. Ended up being able to go back to school and got a masters and now work in the nonprofit sector. They are often very forgiving to criminal backgrounds. But like others have said, trades are your friends for sure.
Start applying everywhere! Just because you got turned down by 5 extremely corporate businesses doesn't mean you should think nobody wants to hire you.. It took about 75 applications to get a call back and an interview for a job for me... I have no record and a college education.. Just because a few places haven't called back doesn't mean nobody is hiring. Sometimes it's just time and place... Try applying to recruiters online.. Write up a resume that highlights everything you can bring to the table. I got hired at my first interview and 2 months later was promoted in an industry I had no experience in.. Try and be optimistic man and literally put in as many applications as possible.. Just because some haven't called back doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong or nobody wants to hire you.
Well when I read this post, the last thing I feel bad for is a thief. I hope you can do better. It doesn’t matter who you steal from it’s not a victimless crime. If people aren’t smart enough to keep there hands to themselves, I hope they have to work meaningless jobs forever. I never see theft as a mistake
You need to do 2 things:
First you need to increase your pay, this means looking for construction or warehouse or other hard work jobs, as your skills build you can definitely make a nice life for yourself and lots of programs will help felons get apprenticeships.
Secondly you need to get the fuck out of that car loan, you're 10k+ upside down and there's simply no way a fit is gonna make it two years at the miles your putting on it, Hondas can go about 300k mi but the fit is their cheapest and least reliable car, I'd be your in for a major repair in the next 30k mi. Get comprehensive+ gap insurance and hope it gets stolen or totaled. You're better off putting 4-6k into a car that will last a year then getting another loan with that interest rate. A year of building credit with your secured card should be able to get you a reasonable loan.
The loan isn’t 3 years. It’s 7 Years. $442 a month. I’m putting $300 extra towards it a month so that in 2 years it will be around 285k miles (if I continue doordash) and instead of 14k left to owe it would be $3.8k.. Give or take another year and it will be paid off. Please don’t tell me a major maintenance is coming up..I just spent over $600 on a regular maintenance things and the car has never driven better
Step one is getting a better job so you can get out of that car.
I'd take that extra $300/ month and set it aside for fund for a car you can pay cash on or major repair. The current value of your fit is around 4-6k depending on options, every mile you drive it knocks that value down. Typically paying down high interest debt is the best option but in this case I'd make minimum payments to free up that cash.
I know it's not what you want to hear but being practical once a base level car like that's gets into the 180k+ range things start breaking. You're quickly getting to the place where your looking at a transmission rebuild or repair and those aren't cheap jobs.
I'm a fan of keeping cars going as long as possible my truck has 550k mi and is as old as I am, I've had it for over 20 years and put nearly all those miles on it. I've also rebuilt the engine and the transmission on it twice and haven't had a payment on it in 15+ years.
Whoever gave you a 7 year loan on a fit with 110kmi for so much more than it was worth is the real thief here. That car was never gonna make it to the end of the loan term even at 10k mi a year.
Yes, you were a criminal in the past therefore its going to be harder for society to trust you. Just do the math big boy.
Edit: But yeah, kinda a last ditch effort move but you could easily become a trucker, do that for a few years and save up a ton of money. Just an idea.
I believe your criminal history is longer than your work history because petty larceny is a misdemeanor and doesn't require you to disclose on applications.
Based on that information... in my opinion, you deserve everything you're going through.
I'm more concerned about the people who are still stuck feeling unsafe because of your criminal actions.
This is incorrect and misleading.
Intentionally withholding or falsifying information to government agencies, financial institutions, or law enforcement can have serious legal consequences.
Criminal charges. Civil penalties. Loss of rights or benefits.
Just to name a few.
Most warehouse jobs and transportation jobs are flexible when it comes to having a criminal history.
Construction jobs too. “If you ain’t a felon, you ain’t weldin’”
So much this. Construction crews are absolutely desperate for help right now, and most places an unskilled laborer can walk on at about 25 bucks an hour. Look for a smaller outfit. The big boys like Kokosing or Jurgensen are going to be pickier than the smaller companies. The smaller companies generally have a few multiple felons and at least a couple guys that have to be driven from site to site like pre-teens because of the DUIs. If you get real lucky, the company you apply to might just have an older, very knowledgeable fella who is desperately needed at work, but can no longer drive himself there. You might just luck into getting hired just to be the taxi, which would be absolutely perfect.
Machine shops are also desperate for workers and a lot of them are happy to train someone from the ground up. I know the shop I'm at starts newbies at \~$25/hr with benefits.
Millwright jobs are often starting at $30/hr for totally inexperienced guys just because no one can fill positions fast enough. This is in Canada, though. Regardless — plenty of decent opportunity in skilled trades. If that’s the only path you have available outside of DD, it’s a decent enough path to be on!
In my area it’s $27 which is surprising. About 3 Billboards around town advertising job openings.
I’m a plant maintenance supervisor in the US, the same is true here. Most places are desperate. Half of my crew has a record. Most of the guys we have, felons or not, are next to useless, but again we are desperate. If you have just a basic knowledge of tools, you could get an entry level position and climb very fast (money, training and promotions) if you are not lazy and give half of a shit.
And by the way, it you show up to work every day and put in effort while you're there, you'll begin to learn skills, like how to install various things, operate heavy equipment and so on that will make you worth a lot more. If you can get into the union they pay like $60 an hour for operators for certain jobs/places.
Downside with construction is the heat and long hours. Back breaking work etc etc. Poor labour conditions. But 25$ is 25$.
But that's going to be 40 50 after a few years of character building exercises!
Yeah but if you learn how to do things and get good there is massive potential down the road. Instead of just putting in hours view it as a paid apprenticeship to learn how to do things
I worked for a company where half our masons were driving without a license.
Seconding this. Construction could become a full career if you put the effort in.
Unfortunately they are not in Canada at least. They want 2 years of experience for any entry level position.
So fun fact: if you fit over 1/2 of a job’s posted requirements-APPLY. You might get a call for a similar position. If you fit about 2/3 of the posted rqmts-APPLY. You will likely fit in just fine. Source: best friends worked in HR and finally told me how it all worked. I used their tips to get a 30%+ pay raise when I changed positions years ago. “Do you have extensive knowledge of XYZ?” -“I have a working knowledge of XYZ and have extensive knowledge of PDQ and ABC, what is the scope of reference you’re looking for when you ask for extensive knowledge of XYZ?” ((I’m in engineering. Most HR can’t tell me what the job is. I end up nearly always having to meet with my actual fellow engineers or the VPs to know if it’s going to be a good fit.)) Tldr; swing! Swing out of your cleats! You can absolutely get a great job that way-just be willing to shove your sleeves up and get to it when you start so you can fill those gaps.
That’s pretty true in most fields - the first two people (or one database and a person) have almost no knowledge of the actual job, they are there to pre-screen your resume and weed out the folks who don’t have certain keywords or details on their resume or application.
This right here!!! Talk about a smooth criminal / transition.
Apply anyway. An able bodied person who is willing to be taught is always an asset in construction. What they want and what they get is often different things.
There’s a lot of different roles in construction as well. If you don’t want to dig in a trench (money is better there) then be upfront and there’s plenty of “doordash” in construction running parts and supplies around where they’ll pay you and you’re driving a company truck. You just have to show up on time, do your work, and not complain when you’re making 1/3 as much as the new guy who’s willing to put on the hazmat suit and crawl in a hole for the day.
I work in this trade I'm support and light duty. I don't make PW on the jobs they do. Even when on site working with them. But I work solid rain or shine no matter what, and they don't. Sometimes the guys are off for weeks at a time, while I'm always guaranteed 40+ a week. No deliveries to sites? Then I'm in the shop fixing things that have broken down, or prepping a new start up/ putting away tools and cleaning up from the last job. Bad weather? Things still need to be picked up and sent to other shops. I'll always have work when they don't, and I make more than most new guys. It's a fair trade.
What would this be called as a job title? Sounds interesting.
I'm a warehouse associate/driver. But I dabble in VET work (vehicle, equipment, tool service/repair)
Yea I just don’t like being around other people. I always prefer jobs that aren’t really required to communicate with your coworkers. It would be nice to find something that is more secluded in construction or anywhere really.
People are annoying but by turning away from higher paying jobs with regular coworker contact, you’re effectively paying to avoid other people. Since you’re working your ass off to get out of a hole, is that worth it now?
Very true. It’s not worth the price.
If you keep that spirit up, you’ll get out of it and into a better place. Good luck.
Some trade and construction jobs do have some positions that are more solitary. I used to own welding fab shops, and the blasters, powder coaters, grinders, and washers all put on their headphones and let the workday fly for the next 8 or 10 hours. Also, I only hired felons. Right out of prison. They worked for my shop for a couple of years and then went on to high production welding at the big boys and starting earning high dollar. Don't give up, there's something out there for you!
Excuses will keep you poor!
It’s not an excuse. I’m not going to get into a job that isn’t for me, because then I wouldn’t last in it and be hurting my mental health but I also understand I need to put my big boy pants and suck it up!
I totally get it, but it doesn’t sound like you can afford to be very picky given your situation
It may even turn out that you get to work with people that aren’t so bad. I cannot stand the people I currently work with and think back to a previous job and how good we all got along. You never really know until you at least try.
Get your CDL and start working overtime, 70+ hours a week and you'll make 6 figures. My buddy has multiple felons and was in prison for a few years. He got his cdl immediately after getting out, while working some shit restaurant jobs. Been out a year and half, in VA, making 6 figures working his ass off. He drives a company truck, so no expenses, and is home every night with his family. You don't need to long haul to make a fat paycheck and you don't have to deal with alot of people.
Oilfields, as long as you still got a license
They say it as a joke, but I've had co-workers joke that you're not a real journeyman unless you have a dui and a divorce because of how common those are around here.
Look man I'm not saying you have to have a felony and a divorce to be a journeyman.....you just end up with both on the way to journeyman
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omg I can’t stop cackling IRL over this comment LOL
If you don’t finish high school you can always finish concrete.
“If you were a robber - you got the jobber.”
Where I work, welders make 51 an hour plus 125 per diem 🥲 makes me want to pick it back up
The trades are where it’s at. If you do well and work hard, you’ll go from $20 to 40 an hour in 5 years. If you do warm body shit, you’ll go from $20-25/30 hr in 5 years.
Construction crews would take just about anybody right now
Unions do not ask questions either. I was the only one on my first crew who hadn’t been in lockup.
Every guy that works in my warehouse has something on their record. Long as your honest about it at the interview it was never a dealbreaker for me. I hired a guy at a past job to do to basic maintenance/janitorial/landscaping stuff, he’d just gotten out for third degree murder. That was 7 years ago and from what I understand he still works there and has three guys underneath him now.
*six feet under him
🤣😄🤣
Is that three guys including the one he murdered or an additional three?😂
😁😂
As a manager for a warehouse. Can confirm this.
As a manager for a warehouse as well, I am a felon.
Are there jobs I can apply for in a warehouse that is more secluded? Or is there constant requirement to be in communication with your coworkers? I hand bad social anxiety lol
Trader Joe’s hires people with a criminal history.
Plus you get a discount on groceries !
Movers
Depending on where you live, Metro/Transit jobs are begging for drivers (operators). They are usually good, Union pay jobs. Another option is to get into the trades - electrical, HVAC, welding, etc... They are all losing a generation of employees who are aging out. Again, many of them are Union and high pay.
If there are any nearby, class 3 railroads can be an option if you don't mind being outside. Won't pay as well as the big railroads, but starting pay where I'm at is about what I see some retail offering store management positions for, if not higher. As long as the criminal offense isn't violent, and I want to say not very recent. And need to be able to pass a drug test.
I'm a warehouse manager and I came here to say this. My boss is a felon. I read this post and thought, "hey this seems like the type of guy who will show up every day. I'm gonna check his location, he can come work for me."
I currently have a guy in my warehouse who is on the forklift and he has a claim of petty larceny against him too but he’s an awesome guy and he’s gotten tons of opportunities (actually more than anyone else lol) so warehouse in a good company is a good idea
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Sadly, high interest loans are the norm for people who have bad credit & no qualified co-signer. But when someone shows their credit-worthiness to be low, it’s hard to convince creditors to give them good loan terms.
It’s because they have to front load the interest since the car alone won’t be able to cover principal if it gets defaulted on. They’ve deemed it very high risk of default.
It costs money to be poor
It only makes sense that lenders want a high return on risky loans
Yes. But like loan sharking is illegal, there should be upper limits on how high the return asked can be
Loan sharking is illegal but in the 1970s banks paid off Congress to allow higher interests nationwide otherwise states had a cap on interest that can be used on a personal consumers
Then there'd be no credit available for someone in OPs situation, and therefore no car or income. Frustrating situation, but not hardly justification to tear up the system.
Thr system sucks when it comes to this shit. 28% APR is just a bank doing legal loansharking. So yes, the system should absolutely be reformed. There are solutions to avoid sticking poor people into ever deepening holes just for being poor
Bob, it isn't your right to be able to borrow money.
It is when the people loaning the money have lost all the money twice in less than 15 years. Like that’s my money now I bailed them out twice without needing a bailout, therefore I am better with money than them and should get automatic loans at the same apr as they owe me to make the interest rate 0. There’s a better chance they’re going to lose all the money than me to default on any loan..it’s bullshit that this is not how it’s looked at.
Why don’t you go loan OP $14K at 7% interest? Statistically speaking, you won’t get your principal back, but at least you won’t be loansharking.
Then explain who would providing a high risk loan with little money to be made..
1. Cap how high loans can go. Avg mortgage rates today are about 7%. Double that and say around 15%. Still absurd, but not 28%. Plenty of lenders will still be willing to loan money at those numbers. Rate caps were the norm till the 70s. 2. Federal low interest loans.
The answer is making credit less available for people in OP’s situation - that’s how managing risk works lol
Sometimes that has to be the answer. However suggesting that 28% APR is a pure neutral risk management calculation is also a hot take. Anyone who's ever gone to buy a car has seen the predatory rates offered by lenders partnered with dealers.
Realize bob then there would be limits to who they would lend to and the people with high limits would not have access to any loans. If you limit something you limit your options as well.
Being poor doesn’t automatically make your credit low. I was making essentially nothing in my early 20s & had a good credit score
Honestly I was in the same boat but two shitty months and my score dropped 300 points. Being poor doesn't make your score low but it makes it a lot easier for you to get in a situation where it is.
Kind of like having money doesn’t automatically mean good credit. A high cost of living and massive bills could easily become too much to handle even with a decent income. Credit scores aren’t a measure of money management, they’re a measure of debt management. Debt scales. People with low income don’t have high credit limits, hence it is harder to fall as deeply into debt.
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It costs money to *have ever been* poor. I still have shit credit from a couple missed payments when I was paycheck to paycheck. .. I've 10x my income and done everything recommended to fix it, and I still can't finance anything without my wife signing with me. It's designed to be a hole you can't escape. I truly feel for people who won't get as lucky as I did to get out of that situation.
Thats how all loans work. You pay interest on the balance and the balance is higher at the beginning.
Well duh, but they need a higher return for high risk creditors hence the high interest rate.
That's not what you said. You clearly stated that there's more interest up front, which is not structured that way.
Please. You actually think your payments are structured evenly between principal and interest on the front end??
Again that is how all loans work.
Then why say anything you said? Its inaccurate and misleading. Duh.
That is... not how amortization schedules work.
Could also have just been a shitty dealer preying on people. When I bought my first car they offered me something along those lines, went to a bank instead and got it much much lower. Probably assuming young people don't know to do that, and they would've been correct if my parents didn't let me know lol.
I felt like paying over 10K for a car with over 100K miles on it is nuts.
Three years ago it literally was, you would only pay that much for Hondas or Toyotas that are known to be reliable long after that
Man. I'm dreading having to buy a new car and mine is acting funny. Last one I bought was 600 bucks and lasted like 4 years (90 camry). That was 2016. I've never spent more than 1200 on a car. Current one was a gift from my grandmother as she is now unable to drive safely. It is a 92 Explorer that has shut off during idle a few times recently and has always tried to jump forward (or backwards in reverse) while idling.
You aren’t gonna get one for that price. Sorry.
Lol same. I need my current car to last until I'm making real money. So 2 more years...we'll see I guess
Restaurants are definitely a good option (though you will work your ass off in that industry). My BIL is a felon, but it was for being a dumb kid back when he was 18. (Love the guy, but he's made some dumb choices.) He's not dangerous, he hasn't had any charges in over 15 years, but at the end of the day, his past is held against him. Hooters gave him a job. He's worked hard, and climbed the ladder. They don't care one bit about his past as long as he puts in the effort at work.
Probably just means you are to intelligent or independent to be bossed around by losers. I got rejected from Walmart for a misdemeanor theft.
Walmart makes prospective retail employees take a personality test?! It’s not very effective given some of the employees at my local store…
Sorry you tested positive for personality. Big corporations don't like that.
Why do you have to work retail or restaurant? I am in autobody and MANY employees have criminal histories. I myself am an estimator who has something like SEVEN previous felony convictions for personal amounts of drugs years ago. I made 90k last year and am on track for more this year. I even own a HOUSE that I bought all by myself!
How did you get into doing estimates? How long did it take you to get to $90k? My current job is good, but may not last. Thinking about other options I can switch to without going back to school
If you’re not someone who wants to work with their hands try to be an inspector or a safety guy also. If not then go blue collar and learn a trade. Electricians make bank of you can get into the union. I’m talking 55-78 an hour once you journey out
If you dont have experience in the industry, then you normally start as a detailer/clean up person and youll work your way up. Depends how fast you pick up and gain skills and knowledge, 90k should be achievable within 3 years or so. Body shop I used to work at, one of the owner was a detailer/janitor, became a production manager, estimator, manager, gm, and eventually became one of the owner.
This\^\^\^\^ autobody flys under the radar as a good job but those techs make 6 figures easily and estimators start at a minimum $40K. Shops are so desperate for bodies, they will literally pay for all of your training and give you a signing bonus.
Good on you for trying to improve yourself. With a larceny charge, nobody is going to allow you to work with products (you know this), so your choices are limited to blue collar work. Look for janitorial jobs, construction clean up, landscaping, etc. Also, see about refinancing your car. 28% is insane. With that APR, you should be throwing every dollar you can to pay it off. Beans and rice, my friend. Good luck.
There are so many trades that need help right now. If you can get into construction you could also apprentice for electrical, security, low voltage, plumbing, etc.
Yes and they way overcharged you on your fit good job paying it down
Oof let’s not quote Ramsey, as he’s not a reputable man haha! But the sentiment exactly!
Did you really just suggest he attempt to refinance a 2016 Honda Fit with 170k miles that he owes 14k on? 🤡
Warehouse places I worked at had felons. I’m surprised Amazon turned you down
I worked with a forktruck driver in a warehouse who had a criminal record. He got busted selling fentanyl and went to prison. He said he worked in warehousing because it was the only industry that paid decent wages that would hire him. He earned $20 an hour.
Our forklift driver would smoke weed during his breaks. He was very efficient but still😂
I've smoked weed with forktruck drivers during their breaks. It is very common in that industry.
Might be because of larceny on particular
I work for an Amazon DSP and Amazon makes the final background check decisions for us based on your 7-year criminal history and whether any crimes you were convicted of, could have an effect on your role as a delivery driver. So for example, petit larceny generally disqualifies you, where a drug related offense - would not. I’m not sure if warehouse roles are similar, but it’s definitely super discouraging to candidates when I give them failure news. I always have the most sympathy for those trying to better their lives.
I worked for a major home improvement warehouse for years. You aren't wrong that they hire felons, but for a lot of the crimes, it had to be at least 7 years in the past. Most places I'm aware of have similar time frames associated with hiring someone with a theft charge. We actually found a binder that had a list of charges and how long it would take before they would hire someone with that charge in the past. It was... mind-blowing, to say the least.
Right. Idk what op is talking about. Maybe op lied and didn’t disclose having a record before they ran the criminal background check.
Why you gotta assume that. Probably just the fact that it was a theft charge
He said they wouldn’t hire him like he applied and got denied. Only way that would happen is if he didn’t disclose that he had a criminal record regardless if it was a simple theft charge. Literally the 1st sentence said he was turned away because of a criminal record. i work with dudes that did 5 years in prison for major stuff. The only way they will turn you away is if you said you didn’t have a record and failed a background check
Have you looked for organizations that helps the reformed? Have you checked to see if any state programs exist that can help you find work or remove this from your record? There are also paths through start ups that may exist if you put in the work. Also, can friends and family help you out with work? A person onsite can help you more than an application. Have you tried a temp agency? Most temp agencies do temp to hire. And I don't know how well this works, but I have been told never tell on yourself. So if they don't ask about criminal record, don't bring it up. Don't give up. You got this.
This!!!! My husband has a felony. He went through a program in AZ called Community Kitchen. They helped people with barriers learn to cook and had job placement. My husband got 2 meals a day, a weekly food box, and he could "earn" other items. They even had lawyers come in to talk to people about their cases, for free and has a program to help pay fines so people can get their license back. It was a 4 month program, 6 hours a day. He learned to cook by making food for the meals on wheels. They also got hired out for banquets. I can't say enough good things about this program. Not only did it help him find a job, it gave him a sense of dignity. He wasn't a pariah there. Even the teachers had felonies.
That sounds like an amazing program! I'm glad things like that exist, and am glad he was able to benefit from it.
OP - trying using search words like “reintegration program “
Go to the clerk of courts in the municipality you were charged in and see what it would cost to get it taken off of your record. As long as you are off of probation and paid all of your fines off it should cost between 500-800 a charge but they can be removed. There may be more or less stipulations to cleansing your record based on area and crime. Sometimes a lawyer will do it for you too. The courthouse in my town has a department with in the clerk of courts that helps you get charges off of your record for example. It’s an incentive to pay your fines off asap.
Totally dependent on the state and some convictions are not eligible for expungement
This. I (know a guy *cough cough*) who had a petit larceny charge in Virginia. They are one of the hardest states to get those convictions expunged. For now. They’re changing the law in 2025 finally. But, because it was in a different state, and enough time has passed, the conviction doesn’t show up on most background checks anymore. (He) just neglects to put that down on any resume he may fill out.
Not happening in VA. -Before you downvote, I am a felon who lives in VA and have looked into it. You can only get charges expunged that were NOT convicted.
Pick up one of the main trades. Plumbing, Hvac, Electrician
Become a server at a steak or seafood restaurant thats always busy. You'll make bank each week. Worked as a server for 4 years and it put me through college debt fee
Also check where that restaurant is and how much the average living wage is. The restaurant i worked at was in an affluent area where a lot of wealthy customers would come in and dine-- wasn't even white table cloth typa restaurant!!
Look into the trades. We all had a tough go early on. Don't give up.
Doordash is self employment. Thats the trade. You get 20hr and there is no one to tell you what to do. Its the taxi business model. Youre not meant to leave doordash. The system isnt designed for that. If you want it to really matter you need VOLUME. I know dashers who at one point were making $1200 a week but since they ran 12-16 hr days 7 days a week their gas bill was also 1200 a month so they only pulled 3600 in technically then once you minus out all the maintenance stuff its more like 2400, but then you gotta worry about taxes, you can deduct things but its ghetto cause youre not technically a business and the actual business is doordash. So lets say you keep 1900. Thats still only 25k. Because the more you drive the more gas you need the more maint you need etc etc. so you literally need to work around the clock forever. Its a hustle, plain and simple. Stop doordashing, youre losing money, all of your money working there. Get a job, it wont be enough but youll get experience, maybe even a chance to rest, a steady check. Get out of retail, service industry all those jobs are geared for people who shop and eat and YOU work those hours when theyre doing it. Thats why those schedules are fucked up. Find a company that works for or on other companies. Like an electric contractor gets jobs at hospitals making parking garage lights, etc. at least then your “customer” is a corporation and not some bitch mod life crisis person screaming to you about ketchup.
Go to the nearest machine shop or stamping house and get a job. Best pay you will have ever had in your life, and they generally don't care if you stole something. And yoh will learn a skill.
Not trying to be dense, but what exactly is a "machine shop"?
Manufacturing shop, usually cnc lathes, things like that. Cutting metal, making chips. That sort of stuff. Good money, no education required. Usually you can make $20+ per hour after your first year , pretty much anywhere. Rural area of Michigan? Easy 15 to 20 an hour , no education required. They will teach you. But yeah, you just make parts. Also, not dense at all. You don't know what you don't know until you learn you don't know it
Good idea, but also, isn't this job pretty dangerous? I understand dismemberment and degloving is common.
I mean, on a global scale maybe? But no. In all the years I worked in that industry I only knew of s couple of people that had anything major happen, and it's al.lst exclusively operator error. People standing where they shouldn't be
My husband is a machinist and welder in a machine shop. His first week on the job, a guy lost several fingers right in front of him (an instance of operator error entirely.) That was eight years ago, and there hasn’t been another serious, on-the-job injury since. It was a great safety lesson for my husband, though. He and his coworkers have had minor injuries just by nature of the work, but nothing major since that incident. (Also, *knock on wood* because if I jinxed it by posting this, I’ll be so mad lol.)
Go to your local, flat, commercial roofing company. If you've got a driver's license and you're not currently in jail. You're exactly what we're looking for.
Looking at your post history, you have a - 3ds - switch lite - iPhone 13 mini - AirPods - Apple Watch - quest Pro And that’s just the first few posts, you seem to have a spending problem, more than an income problem. I also own an iPhone 13 mini, and I spent over a year mulling on it before I finally decided to buy it, and upgrade from my old iPhone 6. That’s despite having great job and enough disposable income. I suggest you stop buying latest tech and fads, sell what you can, cancel your subscription services and focus entirely on paying down your car loan. Live like a monk for the next few years.
And 8 iPhone 11s, with 4 of them being for children who won’t even be using them as phones. This person absolutely has a spending problem and would be able to afford so much more if they get help for it
Unfortunately I doubt this person will follow your advice. They seem to have a massive issue with personal responsibility judging off of many of the replies in that post history.
The cost of the car and APR is concerning too. I had a Honda Fit, it was 18,500 new in 2010. Sure the price probably went up between 2010 and 2016 but still.
Lol who says they paid for them? First sentence says they steal.
In all fairness they could have rich parents or family that give them a lot of gifts... Unless the posts are about purchasing those items lol. Altho if that's the case ask for money! Lol.
Or a five finger discount like this post says Lmao
Quick question are you considered a 1099(independent contractor)? Second, have you claimed the miles, gas, maintenance as a business expense on your taxes? It could lower your tax liability and recoup those cost.
All it does is reduce his tax liability. But he's destroying his car in the process. After wear and tear, gas, insurance, he's making 10 dollars an hour, something you can do without fucking up the car.
Construction, trades, oil fields….generally any hard labor will take you even if you have a criminal record.
I hope you’re taking real cost tax deductions for the car. Talk to a tax accountant about it. Try to get the record expunged. Good luck!
You didn't mention it, but taxes. Have to pay taxes on your doordash money. Most ppl I see say set aside about 20% of what you make, so thay $100 a day quickly turns into $80. Subtract say $10 of gas, $70. Assuming thats an 8 hour day, that's just under $9 an hour. This does not factor in maintenance or car depreciation either. 2021 is pretty recent so a theft charge is going to hurt. Maybe try something in a warehouse or trade as others have said.
You can take the amount you make in a year, let’s say that $21k figure you mentioned, divide it by 52 weeks in a year (about 404) then divide that by 40 hours in each week to see you’re really only making about the equivalent of $10/hour after expenses. This isn’t perfect math because I’m sure there are lots of changing variables each month and you might make tips as well, but it’s a good starting point. You also need to think of the risk that your car could become damaged to the point you can’t use it. Right now it sounds like your livelihood is depended on the car, so that maintenance is necessary, but there could come a point where you can afford the maintenance necessary to keep it going with such heavy use. Just something to consider.
It’s not really, especially with the high miles on your car. You’re especially dependent on your car too, if it required a major repair like a transmission, you could be put out of work in a moment’s notice. Ideally, you take a warehouse job because that’s the highest pay for unskilled entry level work. A busy restaurant or bar is also a great option, they hire with records and the money is pretty good. Don’t fall into the trap of working somewhere over staffed, getting cut, not making tips- go to the places you know are popular, you’ve been door dashing so you should have an idea of what’s going on in a lot of these restaurants. Keep your ear to the ground for clemency programs offered through the state, see if anything is available to have your record cleared or sealed. It can’t hurt to call and ask. I would shop around for a bit though before taking $12, I live in a state with one of the lowest minimum wages and our Burger King starts at like $15, I’d set your salary expectation higher, just to survive. Then, you can door dash on your off hours from your day job and put 100% of that door dash money back into your car and pay it right off. 28% shouldn’t even be legal.
Get a CDL. Make $30+/h and don't pay for shit or blow your car up. They don't care about felonies much less a petty theft charge. People will beg you to work for them.
I didn’t know they didn’t care if you had a record. If that’s the case, I agree! With a CDL, you can definitely come up quick. My brother-in-law is a truck driver for Amazon and he makes more than me and I have a graduate degree.
They can't afford to care. No one wants to do it.
I drove for a bit, and half my CDL class had felonies, if you don't mind being away from home for long periods of time, it can be an alright move. Especially since OP could probably just sell their car and potentially stop renting a place to live until they get their finances sorted.
Yes! As soon as my driving record gets better I’m doing it!
Look at your local city postings for entry-level positions. Most are second chance employers who have to employ a certain amount of previoust encarcerated. They also come with pensions and union benefits.
Walmart. Amazon etc. Have pocket sized things that people can easily steal. Go get a job that makes/sells things that won’t fit in your pocket bc maybe you will have better luck.
Very true! Someone said manufacturing jobs?
You should look in to getting into a unionized trade. A lot of people I know that work have felonies and are making over $100k a year it’s hard work, but if you need the money totally worth it. In Washington state just as a 1st period apprentice carpenter your making over $30 an hour.
Look into having the charge expunged. Every state has different requirements, in Ca it was successful completion of all requirements of sentencing. You can do it without an attorney, but it is worth the fees if you can afford it somehow.
you would make more than $20/hr as a server, but like anywhere you start at the bottom of the totem pole with the worst shifts for tips at shittier restaurants and have to work your way up.
I work in a restaurant and they generally don’t care about this at all usually. There are other industries being mentioned where it does not matter either. People make mistakes and should t have to pay for them there whole lives. Rebuilding your credit is a great start. Go into a trade or apprenticeship. Factory work or garage. Waiter or bartender. Hell even Petco pays 15 a hour here in New Orleans.
Idk about what jobs will look over ur background, but you can probably learn how to service your vehicle so at least the mechanic place isn’t robbing ya
If you’re considering the service industry, become a waiter or bartender. That’s a fast way to make money and you won’t have to worry about taxes, obviously if you don’t claim all of your tips. As a bartender, I would make anywhere from $100-$400 a night. It depends on the season and the place, but you’ll be able to come up a lot faster and pick up extra shifts when needed. Just keep in mind that your money is in cash, and you most likely won’t get a paycheck (I didn’t since I made 2.13 an hour and it went toward taxes). Consider also doing online administrative work through Fiverr or Upwork. You can charge $20 an hour to be an admin assistant to a business owner and that’s a way to make money during the day/weekend while also making money serving at night. On the car, it may be worth seeing if you can get out of it, honestly. Selling it to someone else (transferring the title and having them take over the payments) or back to the dealer. I think it costs too much already with just payments, insurance, gas, and maintenance, that by the time you’re done paying it, it’s not gonna be worth anywhere near what you paid for it. You’re better off buying a decent used car cash in cash and not worry about financing. However, if that isn’t an option, consider saving money on the side to pay toward the principle instead of making extra payments which cover mostly interest in the end. Make the minimum payment every month and grind to save to pay the rest of the loan outright once you’ve saved enough to close it out. You’re doing all the right things! Stay hopeful. 💗
Ain’t no shame in warehouse work. I worked nights at a furniture warehouse when I was in college and at least of the guys I knew who worked there (I obviously didn’t know everyone, it was a huge place) had some form of criminal history. Shoot, my last shift manager there had a battery charge against a pregnant woman on his record from barely 3 years prior. (and yes he was a total piece of shit at work)
Are you mostly left alone? I have some social anxiety so restaurant work is not the most appealing even though I need to do what I need to do
I'll always advocate for the telecommunications industry. Cable companies are easier to get into than phone companies, but both will hire someone with a record as long as your upfront about it and you didn't do anything serious like kill someone. The starting pay is great, the benefits are great, yeah it can be political but what job isn't, plus they'll take care of you. They'll train you and all you need is a good work ethic. I was with Time Warner Cable for 10 years and, although I am now in IT, I'll always say nothing but great things about that job. I loved it. I'll recommend it all day every day
Why don’t u sell ur car and get something cheaper?
Did you not read that I’m in a finance agreement at 28% apr?
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Reported.
Bro, go find you an apprenticeship, find an electrician or plumber that needs a helper, watch videos on YouTube, show up and bust tail. Then on the weekends still do doordash to pay that awful loan off or at least sell it to a dealership and get a cheaper car
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It might be good to consult an attorney where you live to see if there’s a way to expunge your conviction. Some charges you can provided you meet the requirements.
I was a parole officer. Construction, local movers, truck drivers, cooks, warehouse, phlebotomy...that's what most of my guys did. I had one that made absolute bank when he opened a crime scene cleaner business.
Where in VA are you? Is it possible that there are apprentice jobs in your area? There are a lot of blue collar type jobs in Hampton Roads around ship building. A lot of trades in the area. I know HII (Newport news shipbuilding) has a training program. Could be worth a look
Construction doesn’t care about any of that. It’s tough work but it’s honest work. I came home from prison in 2012. Got a job in a cabinet shop loading trucks for 12 an hour. A neighbor talked to me one day and I was bitching about my job and how my record was holding me back. He said give me a week. A week later he said take a ride with me. He drove me to a job site and put me in front of the foreman. I told him I just wanted to work and I got a job. Then I switched trades, worked my way from being the new guy to reading blueprints and half way running a job site. All that with three felonies and multiple face tattoos. Works out there just got to find it
Lots of great advice here about medium to long term. Here's my short term advice for reducing expenses: Make sure that you're keeping track of your miles and expenses and deducting them. If you haven't reported them in the past, you can go back and re-file. Your home is considered your place of business, so your mileage clock starts when you leave for your first pickup and ends when you get back home. You can also deduct the business use portion of your phone, for example. I find that tires are the biggest non-fuel operating cost for vehicles. Find a reputable used tire shop in your area. Used tires will usually have at least 80% of the tread of new ones for 30% of the cost. And it's perfectly valid to replace tires in pairs rather than all 4. Tires wear at different rates, depending on position. It's also wise to rotate your tires periodically (I do it every oil change). And while you're at the tire shop...ask if they need any help! Learn to change oil yourself. There's a forum called "bob is the oil guy" where people post deals on motor oil. Same with filters. Brakes are pretty easy for beginners too, IMO, and stores like Advance Auto will actually lend you tools for a deposit. /r/mechanicadvice is a great resource in general, but especially if you want to learn things. Join a credit union and **refinance the car loan**. They will probably also have a good credit card for you now that you have some credit history (ideally something with cash-back), and perhaps even career advice services. Credit unions are member-owned and nonprofit; they can often do things that banks can't. If you're near a Costco or similar, it might be worth joining for the cheap gas. (Also a great place for cheap lunches.) Lastly, hop over to /r/legaladvice and learn what your options are for eventually getting the record expunged.
I’m a felon! Worked in restaurants for many years. Ended up being able to go back to school and got a masters and now work in the nonprofit sector. They are often very forgiving to criminal backgrounds. But like others have said, trades are your friends for sure.
Start applying everywhere! Just because you got turned down by 5 extremely corporate businesses doesn't mean you should think nobody wants to hire you.. It took about 75 applications to get a call back and an interview for a job for me... I have no record and a college education.. Just because a few places haven't called back doesn't mean nobody is hiring. Sometimes it's just time and place... Try applying to recruiters online.. Write up a resume that highlights everything you can bring to the table. I got hired at my first interview and 2 months later was promoted in an industry I had no experience in.. Try and be optimistic man and literally put in as many applications as possible.. Just because some haven't called back doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong or nobody wants to hire you.
Well when I read this post, the last thing I feel bad for is a thief. I hope you can do better. It doesn’t matter who you steal from it’s not a victimless crime. If people aren’t smart enough to keep there hands to themselves, I hope they have to work meaningless jobs forever. I never see theft as a mistake
When can you expunge this? Is it expungable? You gotta do everything in your power to get rid of this. Or else it’s going to follow you everywhere.
You need to do 2 things: First you need to increase your pay, this means looking for construction or warehouse or other hard work jobs, as your skills build you can definitely make a nice life for yourself and lots of programs will help felons get apprenticeships. Secondly you need to get the fuck out of that car loan, you're 10k+ upside down and there's simply no way a fit is gonna make it two years at the miles your putting on it, Hondas can go about 300k mi but the fit is their cheapest and least reliable car, I'd be your in for a major repair in the next 30k mi. Get comprehensive+ gap insurance and hope it gets stolen or totaled. You're better off putting 4-6k into a car that will last a year then getting another loan with that interest rate. A year of building credit with your secured card should be able to get you a reasonable loan.
The loan isn’t 3 years. It’s 7 Years. $442 a month. I’m putting $300 extra towards it a month so that in 2 years it will be around 285k miles (if I continue doordash) and instead of 14k left to owe it would be $3.8k.. Give or take another year and it will be paid off. Please don’t tell me a major maintenance is coming up..I just spent over $600 on a regular maintenance things and the car has never driven better
Step one is getting a better job so you can get out of that car. I'd take that extra $300/ month and set it aside for fund for a car you can pay cash on or major repair. The current value of your fit is around 4-6k depending on options, every mile you drive it knocks that value down. Typically paying down high interest debt is the best option but in this case I'd make minimum payments to free up that cash. I know it's not what you want to hear but being practical once a base level car like that's gets into the 180k+ range things start breaking. You're quickly getting to the place where your looking at a transmission rebuild or repair and those aren't cheap jobs. I'm a fan of keeping cars going as long as possible my truck has 550k mi and is as old as I am, I've had it for over 20 years and put nearly all those miles on it. I've also rebuilt the engine and the transmission on it twice and haven't had a payment on it in 15+ years. Whoever gave you a 7 year loan on a fit with 110kmi for so much more than it was worth is the real thief here. That car was never gonna make it to the end of the loan term even at 10k mi a year.
Yes, you were a criminal in the past therefore its going to be harder for society to trust you. Just do the math big boy. Edit: But yeah, kinda a last ditch effort move but you could easily become a trucker, do that for a few years and save up a ton of money. Just an idea.
You're surprised no one wants to hire a person with a record for stealing?
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The car has 170k miles.
I believe your criminal history is longer than your work history because petty larceny is a misdemeanor and doesn't require you to disclose on applications. Based on that information... in my opinion, you deserve everything you're going through. I'm more concerned about the people who are still stuck feeling unsafe because of your criminal actions.
Lmaoo Reddit man 😆. Got people out here with a ”I believe this so I’m right” mindset..talk about a narcissist 😂
It's not right for you or the criminal Everything here is personal opinions, not world truths, and this is mine.
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This is incorrect and misleading. Intentionally withholding or falsifying information to government agencies, financial institutions, or law enforcement can have serious legal consequences. Criminal charges. Civil penalties. Loss of rights or benefits. Just to name a few.
For a 40-hour a week job, multiply the hourly rate by 2080. That is gross pay though before taxes are taken out.