(04-02-2009 07:28 AM)Raider_ATO Wrote:  A good plumber, electrician, etc. can make as much or more than a college educated person.

I agree.
The company I work for has been hit hard over the last 12 months due to the housing bubble burst. Being in the plywood industry...its understandable. We have actually worked about every other week since last May and I have had to use my carpentry and general handyman skills to supplement my income. I put up a few fliers at some local church memo boards advertising "handyman for hire". I got 3 calls within 2 days for small jobs. When they ask me...How much do you charge? I tell them to pay me what they think it is worth. Believe it or not...I make more working 3 to 4 days doing this than I do on my regular job.
Of course I only take cash!