making ends meet

take it that you have a pc, have you thought about conducting lessons through skype or similar program? I've seen that such means are used in remote areas. papers if needed could be sent or emailed ahead. this would save your travel costs and more importantly your time. you may have to invest in a webcam with a microphone. this service could offered as an option as well as current face to face service, internet makes the world much smaller and you should also look at other ways of advertising your services such as having a website, translation of documents could be done over the internet also. hope this helps

What about marketing your translation services to local businesses or the ex pat community? Has your friend set her art up on a website at all/What about a small stall at one of the weekly markets:- San Remo, Bordighera, Vengtimilgia or during the summer months at one of the many village events - these things often take time but once people like your art they'll keep coming back

Having worked in that particular professional area for many years and in a few countries, I can understand your difficulties, particularly if you have mobility problems. In the current economic crisis, people cannot afford many private lessons and usually they would be more willing to pay for their children than for themselves. Perhaps, you could look into the possibility of doing group lessons for children after school. You will be paid less for each child but, on the other hand, you will get more money for an hour's work. You may have to hire a room or do it from home, if you can. Internet lessons through Skype may be an idea, but not for children. Sound quality in remote areas may be a problem and this is not good for language teaching. I do not know which kind of arrangements you have for translation work, but look into those and see whether it may be possible to set up your own translating and interpreting office, working in conjunction with other professionals. Careful here, you have to be absolutely certain of the professional expertise of your potential sub-contractors or you are in deep trouble. Have professional insurance to cover any mishap as you can be sued. Art.... another difficult area and I have a daughter who is an artist, but she is now employed by a large US company as an illustrator. Freelance is very tough unless you have very special skills such as being a digital artist. Traditional Fine Arts is a very difficult field. Anyway, keep on thinking at ways to improve your income and working conditions. Don't give up. Best wishes

Further to what I said, you may have a look at this site for Italian jobs: http://it.indeed.com/ They advertise full and part-time positions as well as freelance.

many thanks for all the suggestions so far....much appreciated! Companies are understandably trying to cut costs these days...and it seems that many are now using automatic on-line translations even if not as good as having work done by a real live person!  Like many freelancers these days, it's also becoming harder to collect payment!  It's a catch 22 situation - asking for some or all of the money up front usually means the client just says thanks but no thanks...and holding the completed work back until payment is made doesn't work either!  I'm still waiting for money for a large job I did 3 years ago...the client just says, sorry can't pay, hopefully one day I'll be able to!  Its simply not worth getting a lawyer on to them (costs too much) which of course is what they are counting on! Other smaller jobs still have outstanding payments due - that I will probably get later rather than sooner - often 4-5 months later! As to my artist friend, yes, she has a website...and will be trying to sell through the local markets next summer too....perhaps also along the seafront if she can get a permit - but a few extra strings to her / my bow would always be welcome!      

Apart from keeping animals and growing produce, I have been known to forage for food! Try this, it is really nice but don't forget the rubber gloves. oh and find a dog free zone. Nettle soup Pick a couple of large handfuls of nettles (top of plant, leaves only) I usually cut them with scissors and let them fall into a bag/bowl. Rinse, drain and boil until collapsed, then fry 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 chilli, until soft. Add 1 ltr veg stock, s & p and nettles. Liquidise then re-heat, Very cheap, and very good for you (full of iron).

  Home made nettle soup?  And here I was so proud of myself for making my own tomato and herb soupI need to get more into ‘the good life’. Thanks for the link to your friend’s website.  Tell her to get on Twitter and to start tweeting about her art. She also needs to start following companies/interests in Liguria. Once she’s on Twitter, she should add the Tweet button to her site.  Twitter is really one of the best social media sites to use for self promotion.