Trades & Careers

Electrician, lineman, welder, plumber. How to get in, get certified and get paid what the work is worth.

The BRO Code. What to do, what not to do, and a few laughs on the way.

Gutter cleaning pays twice a year if you build a route

One cleaning earns you a Saturday's wage. A route of repeat customers earns you a second income. Here's the math, the risks, and when to pass.

NewsNewsBRO DeskNov 7, 20261 min

Trump presses Senate to act as it returns for post-election session

Trump says the chamber "must act" when senators come back next week, following Republican losses in the midterms.

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Build me a 30-day training plan around two sessions a week

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GuideSelf-Employed WomenNina CastellanNov 7, 20265 min

Your busy months are where seasonal income goes wrong

The slow season gets the blame, but the damage is usually done in the good months. Set a floor, pay yourself a steady check, and stop guessing.

GermProof.com — An invisible germ barrier on your skin for hours

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Money6 min read

The tax bill that ambushes self-employed men every April

Nobody withholds for you when you work for yourself. Here's the arithmetic on quarterly payments, the safe harbor, and a separate account that does the work.

Poll

When did you last ask for a raise?

GuideSkillsWes DunbarNov 7, 20266 min

Fix the fuel first, then adjust the carburetor

Most small engines that won't start or run right don't need a screw turned. They need clean fuel. Here's the order to work in, and how to set the screws when they do.

GuideSelf-Employed WomenNina CastellanNov 6, 20265 min

Hire help when you can write the job on one page

The right moment to bring on your first contractor has little to do with how busy you feel. It has to do with what you can hand over in writing.

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GuideMoneyRay OkonkwoNov 6, 20265 min

Ask your agent who pays after your limit runs out

One question to your insurance agent tells you whether your family is covered or just feels covered. It takes ten minutes and costs nothing.

Quiz

Is your money actually in order?

Six questions. No email required, no sales pitch at the end.

GuideSkillsWes DunbarNov 6, 20265 min

An eye splice keeps the strength a knot throws away

A well-made eye splice loses far less strength than any knot you can tie. Here's how to make one in three-strand rope, in the order it's done.

GuideSelf-Employed WomenNina CastellanNov 5, 20265 min

Your office needs an edge more than it needs a room

You don't need a spare bedroom to work like a professional. You need a corner, a boundary, and a way to close the day.

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Build me a revision plan that I will actually stick to

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GuideCouples in BusinessCal BrennanNov 5, 20265 min

A business fight shouldn't follow you home

When you run the company with your spouse, every disagreement can turn into a marriage argument. Give each fight an address, a time limit, and an end.