What is a good way for an honest man to make a living...?

Without breaking any laws, or working for any kind of organization.

It's easy to earn a living without breaking any laws. That's what 99 percent of the world does, right? But you also don't want to work for "any" organization. That part's harder, but it can be done. Basically, if you don't want to be working for an organzation, you have to work for yourself, which means you have to sell a skill or a product.

Let's start with skills. Which ones do you have? Are you good with your hands? There are always people who need things fixed, whether it is their computers, their houses, their washing machines, their cars, or their back yards. And the best part for you is that a lot of these businesses do better in slow economic times. People who don't have the money to buy something new are more likely to be willing to pay to fix what they have. So think about what kinds of repair work you are qualified to do, and see if you can turn that into a business.

In addition to repairs, there are lots of people who earn their livings by teaching things to other people. Do you know a sport (like swimming, tennis, golf, or whatever) well enough to become a private coach or a personal fitness trainer? Can you teach someone to play a musical instrument? What about becoming a driving instructor? All those things are always in demand.

If you don't currently have the skills you need to do one of these jobs, consider going somewhere (like a community college) to learn them well enough to become qualified.

But if selling a service or skill is not for you, you can still find a way to sell a product. There are all kinds of businesses that people start, everything from a McDonald's franchise (pretty expensive) to a hot dog cart (Don't laugh: If you have a good location, you can make a ton of money with something like that). There are a million other businesses that you may not have thought of: print/copy shops, dry cleaners, catering, you name it.

Ask at the public library for a book about franchise opportunities, or consider going to a franchising fair. Even if you don't want to become a franchisee--and there are issues there for people who don't like organizations--it will give you some ideas about things you might want to do.

There is nothing like working for yourself. Make no mistake: it is hard to build a business. But it is also really rewarding, and, in the end, it is the best way to become the captain of your own life. I wish you very good luck!!