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That's quite the depressing post, but also quite pessimistic. There are lots of stories that start that way but end happily.
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If it was a business, why would it not help with that pesky mortgage?
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No one would pay to have a 3D printer fixed. Or at least not pay enough for it to be a viable business. A brand new printer can be purchased for the equivalent of a couple hours labor, and that’s before replacement parts.
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Customers may buy a retail functional replacement now for <$400.

It is called the Shoemakers paradox, where the shoemakers kids go barefoot.

Also, the same reason why CNC Milling factories don't tend to produce paperclips. =3

Rule #23: Don't compete to be at the bottom, as you just might actually win.

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Not enough business, not highly paid enough. No true market for such a service.
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Then that's not a business, that's a tax write off.
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And it's not even a tax write-off until you have enough income to offset expenses. (Which is nice as far as it goes but is small scale where you can write-off a few $K in expenses against a few $K in income.)
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Coming at it from a different angle

If there's already income paying the pesky mortgage, you start up an official business as a side hustle. As long as you are showing income even if at a loss, you then get to use that loss as a deduction. If it never pans out to be profitable to the point the tax man strongly suggests the business should close, you close it. In the mean time, you've followed a passion, that even as a loss, still gives financial benefit helping with the pesky mortgage.

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If you want to scratch the itch, you could fix up broken 3d printers to donate to schools.
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I love the refined personality of the sour dressing guy. Would love to shake his hand and make him a salad.

I see some light from a door down a narrow alley from the main shopping street, I knew this building was empty for a decade and the store front was still covered in wood planks. Curious I walk into the alley to check out what was going on.

I see a guy jumping around as if dancing with the largest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen. Around him 5-7 similar giant vases with layered compositions. Each with enormous exotic flowers in the center.

Woah, what is that? I asked. He looked up and said loudly this is me!

I said it looked stunning and asked how long he was doing this. He said, I will only do this for 2 weeks and ill be happy when it is over! I asked, is there no money in it?

He said, I charge an ungodly amount of money for these. You cant buy anything like it anywhere.

Then why only 2 weeks? I'm not going to trap myself! 2 weeks, a vacation, then ill do something else entirely.

While talking his hands moved at lightning speed adding and removing different flowers.

He ended the conversation with: I have to get these finished then I have to deliver them as fast as possible as fresh as possible. I didn't sleep for days! Cant wait for it to be over!

My slacker life style allowed me to think about this strange encounter for a few days. I decided he was still doing it wrong but it looked absolutely beautiful. I'm happy he doesn't get it.

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