Hello Dear Chaim,
First off, since I missed the Q & A last week (an affirmative action cable issue, as you are quite familiar with) I wanted to wish you and all of the JTF forum members a happy and healthy new year. It may not be our Jewish calendar, but at least the sentiment is the same. I also wanted to wish you a very Happy Jewish Birthday as well. May you and all those dear to you live a happy and healthy life until 120.
On to my question for the week. Perhaps it is a somewhat selfish question because I certainly realize there are many people in the world far worse off than I am. That said, I must tell you, Chaim, that I am terribly unhappy in my line of work. It is a job that pays me very little and probably would not even allow me to start a Jewish family with any degree of financial comfort. I am soon to be 30 years old and this is becoming a major concern for me. Moreover, the job involves dealing with all sorts of affirmative action types in a social sevices setting. This is not what I bargained for when I put myself through college. I help low-life people every day, and they do nothing but try to take advantage of me. They offer me little respect, and this, combined with the low pay is quickly leading me to my breaking point.
With the new year here, I am beginning to make plans to leave this job. One way or another, I will not continue in this position beyond this year at any costs. I would like to start my own business, and it is here where I am seeking your advice. Do you have any ideas for a lucrative business? I have several ideas of my own, but I do not really know how to pursue bringing them to fruition. I really would like to be in charge of my own destiny. It would be an added bonus to cater something to the Jewish community, so I could also be among my own people for a change. I do not have to be rich, of course, just comfortable enough to pursue some of my dreams and give more to worthy causes like JTF. Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Until next week, G-d willing.
Ari
P.S. I have spent the last year or so trying to learn as much about investing in stocks and options as possible. I have done very well paper trading and with a little money of my own. Do you think investing in the market is a smart way to go as a career or business? In any event, I would also be happy to offer JTF any free investing advice. Perhaps a fund could be created where a small percentage of JTF contributions could be placed to invest for the future. G-d willing this small amount could one day grow into the large sum of money that JTF truly needs to thrive in Israel.